Tree Lobster makes return to tree on Rutgers' campus
The Tree Lobster, better known as Lord Snipp by the Rutgers community, was placed back onto its perch Thursday night in a quasi-religious ceremony outside of Scott Hall on the College Avenue campus, garnering a crowd of students anticipating the return of Lord Snipp.
“The time has come, the time is now,” said Matthew Lesiw, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, with a plastic lobster in hand to a cheering crowd of nearly 100 chanting its name. “We are going to stick it in the tree. Tree Lobster, baby!”
As people put forward offerings to Lord Snipp at the tree’s trunk, including bananas, mozzarella sticks and a whole onion to name a few, others read spiritual remarks for their sanctified crustacean.
“Let us pray to the Tree Lobster, my brothers and sisters,” said Elvis Maravillas, a School of Arts and Sciences first-year, to the crowd. “For the Tree Lobster is infinite. It is divine. It knows all, and sees all.”
Some of the students at the sunset ceremony, which was less than 10 minutes in duration, admitted to skipping class to see the Lord Snipp back in its original form. Someone wondered aloud if they should take their shoes off while "on sacred ground" while someone else exclaimed, "I’m finally a part of a cult!"
“This is the most Rutgers thing I’ve ever seen,” said someone in the crowd.
As students ran around the tree three times backward for good luck, strangers in the crowd conversed with one another. Many asked one another what their Reddit username was, as much of the Tree Lobster phenomenon happened online. Others were happy that the Tree Lobster was able to, in their view, unite the University.
“I didn't feel a part of the Rutgers community at all until I discovered this,” said Lizzi Rowe, a Rutgers Business School sophomore wearing oven mitts resembling lobster claws. “And here I am with all these wonderful people.”
Lord Snipp has become more than a viral meme though, Lesiw said, as he plans to harness the Tree Lobster craze for a more serious cause. Already, Lesiw has been contacted by University officials from the crowdfunding and digital fundraising department interested in a philanthropy effort.
“I’m planning to take the Disciples of the Arboreal Crustacean and turn it into an actual community service, charity club sort of thing,” Lesiw said as a notebook circulated the crowd asking for sign-up information. “I’m trying to work out the specifics of it right now.”
As students trickled away from the ceremony, newfound friends would say farewell to one another by putting their hands up in a lobster claw form and saying "snip snip." With Lord Snipp back in its arboreal station, some were confident that the movement would continue gaining momentum.
“I think that the people who showed up today represent a small portion of the people who appreciate the presence of Lord Snipp,” said Anthony Parfilko, a School of Engineering senior. “Many more will make pilgrimages this week and further on. I don't think this is going away anytime soon.”
