Online Petition Calls On UC To Scrap 'Cheap' New Logo
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The University of California's new logo isn't getting high marks from some students, staff and alumni.
By Tuesday, more than 46,000 people had signed an online petition calling on the university to scrap the recently designed icon, which features a yellow, fading "C'' inside a blue, shield-shaped "U."
Some online critics called the monogram cheap, corporate and unworthy of a prestigious public university.
In a Twitter post Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote: "As member of (the) UC Board of Regents, I agree with petition, new logo is a disaster. Sign the petition."
UC administrators are paying attention to the feedback, but there are no plans to drop the logo, which was first introduced about a year ago, said spokesman Steve Montiel.
The university developed the new logo because its traditional "Let there be light" seal had too many details to reproduce well on websites, smartphones and tablet computers, officials said. UC still plans to use its traditional seal on diplomas, acceptance letters and other official documents.
The new logo was developed in-house by the university's marketing department as part of its campaign to broaden public awareness of the UC system, which has 10 campuses, five medical centers and three national laboratories, Montiel said. It was vetted by members of the UC community before being used.
"There are certainly people who like it and let us know," Montiel told The Associated Press. "Everyone's got an opinion. We're listening. But we're keeping our eye on the goal, which is to reach out to Californians so they understand the benefits" of UC.
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