History of OASIS

OASIS is the Peabody Conservatory of Music's answer to the traditional Student Council. During the 1997-1998 academic year, a group of students were charged with the task of recreating student government. They called themselves the Student Development Committee (SDC), and they researched, debated, examined, questioned, brainstormed and evaluated every idea conceivable about student government. This led them to form the Organization Advocating Student InterestS, a student representative body hand-tailored for the unique institution that is Peabody.

OASIS is not what you expect. It is not a traditional student government. There are no elections. There is no president. It is not about power, prestige, or popularity. The SDC's goal in forming this government was purpose and productivity through a less formal structure. Students are invited to come as they please. Meetings are always open to anyone wishing to voice their thoughts. Once you have been present for three meetings you are considered an official member.
 

Meetings are held on a weekly basis. They are led by position holders (such as co-chairs, scribe, Hopkins liaison). These persons have volunteered their time for the year to hold each position. Their role at meetings is to make sure each week's topics are covered and report on activities. Although they do have responsibility for organizing OASIS's activities they are not considered to hold power over any other person at the meeting. This is the whole point of OASIS. Every person is a student with equal power and we work together to make the changes that students want.