by Alyssa Sperrazza
Like all college students, caffeine has become a vital necessity. At the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature (OIL), delegates work long days with little sleep to ensure the best work is done in a short amount of time.
Last session, what started out as a courtesy, began to draw momentum and is now continuing on into the spring session. The famous Starbucks runs. Journalist last session decided to ask some Executive members if they needed some coffee. After a day or two, more executives were catching on since journalists would make daily coffee runs.
Credit cards accounted for, orders written down and journalists running around Oklahoma City, the hash tag #journalistsontheloose was born.
“Considering that I go and get coffee I love it,” OIL journalist Rebecca Campbell said. “[I love] just the conversations and the fact that we’re able to get out of chambers for a few minutes to kind of breathe.”
There is a lot of work that goes on in between sessions and behind the scenes to make OIL work. A certain executive could not fully express his joy with words about the coffee runs.
“This is the best thing since sliced bread,” Governor Jacob Murphy said.
With spring session in full swing, Speaker of the House Kaelyne Yumul has placed her order and expressed her gratefulness for the extra caffeine.
“It’s kind of an act of love and I think that’s so sweet that people just really want to encourage us with caffeine,” Yumul said. “It’s truly just a servant act and I think it’s just the kindest most wonderful thing in the whole world.”
Days at the Capitol are long and many Representatives and Senators have legislation being put forth. By the evening, many delegates could use that caffeine boost. Journalists are not confined to a chamber so they have that extra liberty to provide this public service.
“You’re a God-send,” Senator Shirey exclaimed. “Without you going and doing this I would have fallen asleep hours ago and I have internal legislation that needs to be passed.”
Spring session is in full swing meaning more legislation presented, a new Governor and Lieutenant Governor elected and a lot more coffee.