an anecdote from campaigning

I had this great idea today that I’m sure nobody would oppose!

Minor in Piracy

Offered jointly by: Department of History, Cornell Law School, and Cornell Naval ROTC
Administered by: Commanding Officer, Cornell Naval ROTC

Eligibility
Arts & Sciences undergraduates affiliated with all Arts & Sciences Majors are eligible to participate in the Piracy Minor.

Educational Objectives
This Minor is aimed at providing a focus for students who are interested in piracy, either on the high seas or for ye land lubbers.

Requirements
(a) At least one course must be chosen from groups 1, 2, 3, and 4.

(b) At least one course must be chosen from groups 5 and 6.

(c) At most one 200-level course may be chosen.

(d) At most one course may be chosen that is offered by the student’s Major department.

• Group 1: Geology. To determine where to bury your treasure.
• Group 2: Sailing. To competently respond to your Captain’s orders.
• Group 3: Fencing. To defend yourself, when necessary.
• Group 4: International maritime law. Also to defend yourself, in a different sense.
• Group 5: Stellar navigation. To find your way at night.
• Group 6: Cartography. To find your way with a map

Academic Standards
At least a grade of A(rrrr) for each course in the Minor.

Accolades upon Commencement
Students who successfully complete the Piracy Minor will be entitled to replace their mortarboard with a bicorne, as shown below.

The background story
While campaigning, someone suggested this (with a straight face, but I assume jokingly) as a minor that Cornell should adopt. I thought it was pretty funny and got carried away as soon as I opened photoshop. I have deep respect for President Skorton, and I by no means am implying that he has any pirate-like qualities. Except perhaps the intensity.

The template for this academic minor was stripped from the Applied Mathematics minor, which I’m uncertain even exists anymore.