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U.C. System Drops Fugly New Logo Everyone Hated

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The University of California announced today that it was dropping the slick, new logo that apparently even a Lt. Governor couldn't love.

The unveiling of the new logo was greeted with an intense backlash. The new logo was supposed to complement, not completely replace the traditional seal with its "Let There Be Light" motto, an open book and 1886, the date of the system's founding. But critics weren't having any of it, launching Facebook pages and Change.org petitions to get rid of the new logo entirely.

The efforts seemed to have worked: This morning we no longer see the new logo on the page for the office of the president. A spokesman for the UC system Daniel Dooley released a statement to the Los Angeles Times this morning announcing the new logo would be suspended, even though officials totally thought everyone would get used to it after a while:

"While I believe the design element in question would win wide acceptance over time, it also is important that we listen to and respect what has been a significant negative response by students, alumni and other members of our community."

Dooley complained that critics were acting as if it were "an either-or choice between a venerated UC seal and a newly designed monogram." The statement from the university included an appeal to critics, in the hopes that the kerfuffle might remind them to spare a dime:

"In due course, we will reevaluate this element of the visual identity system. My hope going forward is that the passion exhibited for the traditional seal can be redirected toward a broader advocacy for the University of California. For it is only with robust support from the citizens of this state that the university will be able to serve future generations of Californians as well as it has those of the past."

No such thing as bad publicity...Related:
U.C. System Introduces New 'User-Friendly' Logo That Nobody Likes
Even Gavin Newsom Thinks The New U.C. Logo Sucks

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