This is the normal thing to do, so what in tarnation was Rutgers University thinking?!?
Life is good when you're the Princess of Poughkeepsie.
Snooki was paid $32,000 by Rutgers University's programming association to dish on her fist-pumping, pouf-wearing, hard-partying lifestyle on the "Jersey Shore" Thursday night.
That's $2,000 more than the school is paying Nobel-winning novelist Toni Morrison to deliver Rutgers' commencement address in May.
The pint-sized reality star, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, appeared at two sold out Q&A sessions, donning a gold-headband, leopard-print gloves and a signature low-cut dress
According to Rutgers' Daily Targum, she chatted about a variety of subjects, including her trademark hair ("The pouf is its own living form"), if the drama on the show was real ("You can't make this sh-- up") and her biggest inspiration ("being tan").
No state funds or tuition money was used for the event, said university spokesman E. J. Miranda. He said the students use funds designated for student programming.
More than 2,000 students expressed their wish to attend the event, so a second show was added.
"The university does not censor the speakers students choose to invite on campus," Miranda told the Daily News in a statement, adding the show was promoted as a comedy act and not an academic program.
"As with any comedy show, the value of the content is subjective and students choose to attend based on their interests."
Snooki's speaking fee at Rutgers was approximately on par with what she makes per episode — reportedly $30,000 — on "Jersey Shore."
Some students waited hours to get a good seat, according to the Star-Ledger. Other students weren't quite as enthused.
"Such a waste of my money," freshman Dan Oliveto griped to the newspaper. "If I want to listen to someone talk, they should have something intelligent to say."
And what was Snooki's parting message? "Study hard, but party harder," she told the crowd.
When I first heard this, I had to take a step back and say WTF?!?
First of all, why would you bring her in to speak at graduation. If it was just some random campus event or something, then that's fine.
Second, a prestigious institution like Rutgers should be ashamed for this!
Finally, they paid her more than they're paying a Nobel Prize winning novelist! Seriously?!? WTF?!?
I can't imagine how parents of students at that school have to be feeling after hearing that Snooki would be the commencement speaker.
Now, don't get me wrong. She is more than welcome to make her money, but in my opinion a graduation speech is not the place for some faux "star" whose 15 min of fame need to hurry up and go away. I would say something about her not graduating college, but that same statement could be said about Bill Gates and alot of Hollywood actors.
Ugh! I'm about to start spitting bullets about this! Thank goodness this wasn't my school!
So, dear readers...what are your thoughts? Like it? Hate it? Is this another sign of the Apocalypse? I"m curious to hear what you have to say.
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