London: A document detailing the demands of
Sarah Palin, reminiscent of those made by a rock star, for
speaking at a public event has reportedly been found in a bin
by inquisitive students at California State University.
The five-page contract, dated March 16, was discovered by
the students when they went searching for material relating
to Palin`s speech in June to the university`s Stanislaus
Foundation at a gala 50th anniversary event after they came
to know that the authorities were shredding documents.
The students said they acted on a tip off that documents
were being shredded when campus staff members were supposed to
be on leave, the Telegraph reported.
The document reveals that the 46-year-old, former Alaska
Governor demanded a "bendable" straw, two bottles of unopened
still water, three deluxe hotel rooms and a first class flight
or private aircraft that "MUST BE a Lear 60 or larger, for the
event.
The university`s vice president of business and finance,
Russell Giambelluca, said that no one at the university was
told to destroy particular documents and that staff members
often shred and dispose of papers that are no longer needed.
"I find it interesting that among shredded documents you
find one that`s completely intact related to the contract," he
said.
The contract also reveals that Palin, the 2008 Republican
vice-presidential candidate, wanted all the audience questions
to be vetted.
"For Q&A, the questions are to be collected from the
audience in advance, pre-screened, and a designated
representative ... shall ask questions directly of the Speaker
to avoid delay time with a roving microphone in the audience,"
the contract reads.
The decision to invite Palin to speak at the University
event sparked controversy because of the cost.
While the document does not carry any payment details, it
is said that Palin commands speaking fees of USD 100,000 per
appearance.
Leland Yee, a San Francisco state senator and Democrat
who made the original public records request, said: "My hat is
off to these students who had the courage to come forward and
report such information. They are to be commended for
protecting our precious and limited public resources."
He added: "This is our little Watergate in the state of
California."
PTI
