The News & Observer has an article today summing up the tenure of NC State’s student body president, the Pirate Captain. From having kept up with the news regarding the Pirate Captain (Whil Piavis) this school year, I think no one in student government or student media (the Technician) ever understood the appeal of the Pirate Captain. I think even Piavis never fully got it himself, since he made comments about making student government more relevant and effective.
Here’s the secret: Student government is a joke, and most students know it. The only difference between a “regular” candidate for student government and someone wearing an eye patch and wig, swinging about a toy sword and saying “Arrrrr” is that at least the latter isn’t seriously participating in a farce.
To wit:
“I think the vast majority of us were open to seeing him lead,” said Erich Fabricius, a graduate student and seven-year member of the Student Senate. “They wanted to see that the pirate was not some stupid gimmick but a brilliant strategy to get elected. But he never shifted his approach into becoming a regular leader. It got old pretty fast.”
Seven years in a pretend “government” didn’t get old, but one year with a pretend pirate did?
Today, most students can’t name a single accomplishment of the Senate or the Pirate Captain.
Or, no doubt, past Senates and presidents. Because it’s a joke. At least Mr. Piavis was part of the punch line ? instead of the butt.
