University of Iowa spent just over $55,000 on Obama visit

University of Iowa expenses associated with President Barack Obama's recent visit to campus totaled $55,364, according to figures released this week.

Of that total, the UI is expecting to be reimbursed for $30,268.50. The Obama campaign to date has reimbursed the UI for $25,055 of its expenses, and UI spokesman Tom Moore said the university is awaiting $5,213.50 in payments from AT&T and some members of the media, including the White House press corps.

The portion of UI expenses that will not be reimbursed – $25,096.25 – relates to the UI Department of Public Safety's police support for presidential security. That total includes $10,374 for officers on their regular shifts who were committed to the event and $14,721 in overtime expenses.

“We are going to have about $10,000 in expenses for police on a routine day,” Moore said. “Those officers would have already been on duty.”

That leaves the total cost to the UI for services that will not be reimbursed at about $14,721, and Moore stressed the significance of having an sitting president – not to mention the first lady, vice president and his wife – on campus.

“That was a wonderful opportunity for our students and the members of our community to see the president in an up close and personal manner,” Moore said.

Here's how the expenses broke down:

Labor, $18,920.75

Telecommunications, $4,304.50

Catering, $2,212.64

Materials, $2,085.42

Parking, $690

Contractors, $652.30

Rental, $405

Box office, $250

Credit card processing fees, $747.89

Total expenses, $30,268.50

Total reimbursement received, $25,055

Total reimbursement due, $5,213.50

UI police support (not reimbursed)

Regular shift costs dedicated, $10,374.39

Overtime expenses, $14,721.86