Students at New Jersey’s Rutgers University have responded to the recent criticism surrounding a speech given by Jersey Shore star Snooki. It seems that some students would have much rather heard from a different New Jersey icon; Bruce Springsteen.

The University made national headlines this month when news broke that the infamous party girl was paid $32,000 to give a talk to students. Her payout was $2,000 more than that paid to Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, and according to one student, it’s bad for the school’s image.

“It reflects negatively on the student population and it makes us feel negative about ourselves,” junior Paul Tranquilli, a labor studies major, told CBS News.

Tranquilli says the he believes that the Boss would be more than willing to come and speak to his fellow Jersey residents without charging a fee.

“We believe it’s probable and if there were anytime in our University’s recent history where we needed something that’s monumentally positive it would be right now,” Tranquilli said.

Other students have also started a Facebook page hoping to raise awareness for their push to bring Springsteen to Rutgers.