Rutgers: Students called for Snooki speech

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 2 (UPI) -- Officials at Rutgers University in New Jersey said the student body wanted to hear Snooki speak -- and that's what they got.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, star of MTV's "Jersey Shore," appeared at the New Brunswick campus this week and picked up a check for $32,000 to dispense such nuggets as, "Study hard, but party harder."

Polizzi's appearance caused a stir when it was revealed Rutgers paid her $2,000 more than what Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison will get when she speaks at graduation May 15, The Hollywood Reporter said Saturday.

But a university spokesman said in a written statement Rutgers students were canvassed for who they wanted to see as part of their on-campus speaking series, and fellow Jersey girl Polizzi was a top choice.

"We have more than 200 events on our campus during the course of the year, everything from scholarly presentations to entertainment," Rutgers spokesman Steve Manas said, noting other television actors wanted much more than $32,000 for an appearance.