University pays Snooki $32,000 to speak... $2,000 MORE than it's paying Nobel prize winner Toni Morrison



She's a reality TV star known for her often idiotic antics, but Snooki's words of wisdom are clearly highly prized by some.

Rutgers University paid the bubbly Jersey Shore character $32,000 to speak at the college, $2,000 more than it is paying Nobel prize-winning author Toni Morrison.

The New Jersey university's Programming Association booked Snooki for two question-and-answer sessions.

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A bargain? Snooki, left, got $32,000 for her Q&A sessions at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Toni Morrison is to get £30,000 for her appearance next month



Admission to both shows, which were packed out, was free on a first come, first serve basis.

The earliest students arrived seven hours before the first appearance to guarantee themselves a seat.

Miss Morrison, author of Beloved, Song of Solomon and other acclaimed novels, has been booked to appear for $30,000 at the commencement ceremony in May.

Centre of attention: Snooki appears to enjoy the question and answer session at Rutgers University in New Jersey

More than 1,000 Rutgers students attended the Snooki shows during which she told students to 'Study hard, but party harder.'

Snooki, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, was paid out of the funds from student activity fees which undergraduates have to pay for their tuition.

Gregory Kassee, vice president of the association’s comedy and movies committee, said the sessions were a great success.

SNOOKI

Real name: Nicole Polizzi

Age: 23

Notable achievements: Being arrested for disorderly conduct in broad daylight last year while wearing a T-shirt with the word 'Slut' on it.

Famous quote: To the police officers who cuffed her: 'Do you know who I am?'

Retired: As soon as possible, please! TONI MORRISON

Real name: Chloe Wofford

Age: 80

Notable achievements: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.

Famous quote: On shying away from feminism in her works: 'I don't subscribe to patriarchy, and I don't think it should be substituted with matriarchy.'

Retired: 2006.

The 22-year-old from Jersey City said they wanted a speaker who would appeal to students and she 'fit that mould very well.'

Wearing a short black dress and high-heel platform shoes, Snooki entered the stage to a huge roar from the crowd, NJ.com reports.

The 4ft 10in star sat in the upholstered chair in front of a coffee table centre-stage. As her legs dangled, she said: 'My feet can't touch the ground. Awkward!'

Lapping it up: The audience at the university show their approval as Snooki takes to the stage

The students, however, were not united in their views on how much she was paid.

Gianna Santelli, 21, from Nutley, New Jersey, said: 'When you pay the tuition you know part of it is for student activities. It’s all about supply and demand and pleasing the student.'

Adham Abdel-Raouf, 18, from Alabama, said he thought the campus show was a bargain, considering Snooki’s popularity. 'Honestly, I thought they would have paid her more,' he said

But Dan Oliveto, 18, said: 'Such a waste of my money. If I want to listen to someone talk, they should have something intelligent to say.'