Our Governing Documents
What is OIL?
The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature (O.I.L.) hosts a five-day mock legislative session in the Oklahoma State Capitol once a semester consisting of delegations from over twenty universities across the state. It also includes a moot court competition and model executive branch. Providing outstanding networking opportunities and a wide array of experience to all participants, O.I.L. is unparalleled for students with an interest in politics, law, or Oklahoma state government.
Each semester, students at the University of Oklahoma prepare a delegation to participate in the O.I.L. state session. The delegation holds weekly meetings on Thursday nights to prepare for session and to strengthen friendships within the delegation.
Each semester, students at the University of Oklahoma prepare a delegation to participate in the O.I.L. state session. The delegation holds weekly meetings on Thursday nights to prepare for session and to strengthen friendships within the delegation.
Session at the Capitol
Running from Wednesday evening until Sunday afternoon, O.I.L. state session is an immersive experience that puts its members directly into the seats of Oklahoma State Legislators. Members are encouraged to write legislation to present at session, and over the course of the week, will trace many bills through the full legislative process, beginning in committee hearings on Thursday morning, floor time in both the O.I.L. House and Senate, and ending with a signature from the Governor of O.I.L.
In addition to the mock legislature portion of O.I.L, which runs continuously throughout the course of session, there is a model Executive branch working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.
The moot court competition is divided into three rounds; a preliminary round where all participants are guaranteed to argue each side of a case at least once, and based on the quality of case presentation and legal reasoning, may continue through the competition ultimately to the final round. The court is modeled after the Oklahoma Supreme Court, dealing with both appellate and original jurisdiction, and is overseen by OIL members appointed by the Governor to serve on the bench. Competitors are given the case and supporting case law in advance, and must build their arguments based solely from the citations provided.
In addition to the mock legislature portion of O.I.L, which runs continuously throughout the course of session, there is a model Executive branch working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.
The moot court competition is divided into three rounds; a preliminary round where all participants are guaranteed to argue each side of a case at least once, and based on the quality of case presentation and legal reasoning, may continue through the competition ultimately to the final round. The court is modeled after the Oklahoma Supreme Court, dealing with both appellate and original jurisdiction, and is overseen by OIL members appointed by the Governor to serve on the bench. Competitors are given the case and supporting case law in advance, and must build their arguments based solely from the citations provided.
Our Goal
The primary goal of O.I.L. is to provide a hands-on look at how our state government operates. As an organization seeded deeply in tradition, O.I.L. is a platform for students to voice concerns to their peers, the media, and the state government. Every session, a packet of the most progressive legislative ideas is compiled and delivered to the state legislature and has brought about concrete changes in the state in the past.
The ultimate goal is to come away from O.I.L. with a new appreciation and understanding of the inner workings of the Oklahoma state government, and to have an amazing time while doing so. Every member who attends even one session will undoubtedly come away with a wealth of new professional contacts, a broader view of state issues, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
The ultimate goal is to come away from O.I.L. with a new appreciation and understanding of the inner workings of the Oklahoma state government, and to have an amazing time while doing so. Every member who attends even one session will undoubtedly come away with a wealth of new professional contacts, a broader view of state issues, and friendships that will last a lifetime.