The Beacon Monday, April 18, 2011 opinion 3

Snooki’s visit to Rutgers causes controversy

By Jacki Stuckert
Staff Writer
March 31 was unlike any normal
day for Rutgers University students
in New Jersey. Four-foot-nine reality
TV star and new author Nicole Polizzi
(AKA Snooki) showed up as the moti-
vational speaker to entertain students.
Rutgers University paid a cash load
of $32,000 for her to say a few “wise”
words to the students about tanning
and partying. It goes to show what our
world really values these days.
Can I just start off by saying that
$32,000, in theory, is about what stu-
dents pay to attend Palm Beach Atlan-
tic University.
If I knew that paying $32,000
would potentially go to hiring Snooki
as a form of entertainment, I probably
wouldn’t have paid for my education.
Don’t get me wrong; although I
think listening to her speak would be
a great form of entertainment, it defi-
nitely wouldn’t be worth 32k.
To be completely honest, I think it’s
irrational to spend $32,000 to hire
anyone to come and speak at a uni-
versity.
For graduation this spring at Rut-
gers, novelist Toni Morrison, winner
of both the Nobel Prize and the Pu-
litzer Prize, will give the commence-
ment address.
The big controversy is that Rutgers
paid Snooki $2,000 more than the
university plans on paying Morrison
to speak at commencement.
Someone who has gone through
years of education, pursued dreams
and accomplished them seems to
have had her thunder stolen by a “Jer-
sey Shore” cast member. Whether that be at the university or
Students at Rutgers University have around the world, that 32k could have
two differing viewpoints. fed thousands of families who are de-
Some students are so happy that prived of food, helped get people off
Snooki came and gave them ad- the streets, built schools in third world
vice. About 1,000 kids showed up countries, fed the homeless in
to hear Snooki speak on topics your own back
such as partying and big poofy yard,
hair. help
Other students couldn’t be
more upset that their university
wasted so much money on an
appearance from a celebrity.
Some students said that it’s
not really the amount of the
money; it’s merely the en-
tertainment they chose with
that money. Other students
are just offended because of
the cost. p a y
I see both sides. I can see tuition for
why some people enjoyed a student who can’t af-
Snookie as entertainment. ford college or merely could have been
I would think everything spent on something that would bet-
she said was hilarious and ter us as human beings.
wouldn’t take it seriously. It’s safe to say that Snooki, without
Also, though, I see a large this $32,000 guest appearance, has
sum of money going enough money to last her a lifetime.
to waste. I do believe So next time we spend our money
there are much better on something like this, think of
things that could where else it can be beneficial in
have been the world around us.
done with
that money.
CHARLOTTE RAKESTRAW / GRAPHIC ARTS EDITOR

Editor’s letter: farewell PBA

By Anna Zetterberg
Managing Editor
Dear readers:
In just a few weeks, many of us will head our sepa-
rate ways across the country or world. Some have
exciting internships or jobs waiting for them in new
places. Others have old friends and familiar faces
from their hometowns, waiting to welcome them
back home. Summer brings transition—transition
from school to home, the end of a school year with
the anticipation of what the fall will bring, transition
from days spent in the library to days spent at the
beach.
For seniors who are graduating in May, summer
brings one chapter to a close and opens the next, one
full of dreams, goals, possibilities and of course, un-
certainty. When the excitement and relief of gradu-
ation fades, by mid-May, the looming challenge of
paying off student loans and finding a steady job
waits for us. But these challenges are not too lofty
for us.
We’ve learned how to balance challenging class-
es with extracurricular activities, a social life, a job
or jobs, Workship hours and chapel credits. We’ve
developed our skills, like so many other college stu-
dents in the area.
But what makes you stand apart as a PBA student,
is the way you have developed your character during
your time here. You’ve contributed to your commu-
nity and deepened your faith.
You’ve asked the hard questions and you weren’t
afraid to dig deeper. You’ve met people who have
forever inspired you or shaped you.
You aren’t guided by trends or cultural norms; you
don’t “go with the flow.” You challenge norms and
pray for the strength to stand out.
You know you’re not perfect, so you extend grace
and love to a dark world.
While our future may be uncertain and it seems
nearly impossible to land a job at times, we can go
forward from graduation into the summer with full
confidence that we are in divine hands.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the
LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
NIV.

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