Jun 30, 2015 12:54 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Early last year, the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) wanted to book Hillary Clinton for an address, but could not because of her fee.

Instead, UMKC chose her daughter, Chelsea, to speak at a Feb. 24, 2014 event introducing their Starr Women's Hall of Fame.

According to documents obtained by the Washington Post, one UMKC staffer wrote to "Yikes!" to another when they were informed of Hillary's $275,000 booking fee. They opted instead for Chelsea, who commanded a $65,000 fee, which was still higher than the other speakers in consideration.

The other prospective speakers were Gloria Steinem ($30,000), a political and social activist heavily involved in the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as a trio of journalists: Cokie Roberts ($40,000), Tina Brown ($50,000) and Lesley Stahl ($50,000).

The documents obtained by the Post also showed Chelsea Clinton's representatives actively sought to mold her appearance at UMKC. For example, negotiations ended with Clinton's camp able to edit the press release announcing her appointment.

Clinton eventually agreed to spend an hour at UMKC, dividing her time between a speech, questions and a meet-and-greet. She was also granted various amenities that altogether cost the school more than $1 million per minute of her address.

However, UMKC indicated it was well worth the expense. The event sold out, but Amy Loughman, of UMKC's alumni relations, told the Post the event was aimed at generating attention, not funds.

"Chelsea was the perfect fit," she said at the time. "It created fantastic buzz in the community."

The Post previously reported Bill and Hillary Clinton made more than $25 million in 2014 just from speeches. Like her parents are prone to do, Chelsea did not collect any of the money UMKC paid for her appearance and it all went to the Clinton Foundation, which is nonprofit.

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