Snooki of 'Jersey Shore' gets $2K more than author Toni Morrison to appear at Rutgers

[The Straight Story]

Snooki of 'Jersey Shore' gets $2K more than author Toni Morrison to appear at Rutgers

PISCATAWAY — What’s worth more? A commencement speech by a Nobel-winning novelist? Or a pair of Q&A sessions with one of reality television’s biggest stars?

At Rutgers University, Snooki edges out Toni Morrison by a couple thousand dollars.

Last month, Rutgers officials said they had booked Morrison — author of "Beloved," "Song of Solomon" and other novels — to speak in a 52,000-seat football stadium at commencement in May. She will be paid $30,000, marking the first time Rutgers has written a check for a graduation speaker.

Snooki's appearance at Rutgers met with mixed reactions from students Snooki's appearance at Rutgers met with mixed reactions from students Over 1,000 Rutgers students lined the Livingston Student Center to see MTV's Snooki in a question and answer session. The Jersey Shore reality star 'sold out' two separate sessions but admission was free on a first come, first serve basis. Students waited in line as early as 1pm for an 8pm start. The Rutgers University Programming Association paid $32,000 for Snooki's appearance.

Tonight, Rutgers students said they had also made a big-name booking. Snooki — the "Jersey Shore" star whose real name is Nicole Polizzi — appeared at two question-and-answer sessions at the Livingston Student Center in Piscataway.

Her fee: $32,000

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/snooki_of_jersey_shore_gets_2k.html