The University of California at Merced spent more than $1 million on the commencement featuring first lady Michelle Obama, officials said Thursday.
Early estimates had put the cost of the May 16 ceremony at about $700,000. Campus spokeswoman Patti Waid Istas said that always was "a rough estimate," adding that officials repeatedly said the number could change.
The final tally doesn't include any major surprises, she said, but commencement plans evolved and elements were added. For example, officials hadn't anticipated teleprompters-- one of the unexpected costs.
The tab will be paid through donations and nonstate dollars. That includes $185,000 in private contributions and $500,000 in unrestricted interest earnings on a private endowment fund managed by the UC Office of the President.
The university fielded some flak for the expensive ceremony. Officials countered criticism by painting the event as a long-term investment that could yield new donors and friends and create valuable publicity for the system's youngest campus.
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