By The Keystone Newspaper KUMUN subsists on a dedicated membership
By Byron Mantoan
The delegate representing Japan steps into the center of the room to make his point. The problem at hand: Cyber security. Each country has a different take on the matter, whether motivated to do right by their people, or by something more malicious. The conversation thus far has seen lots of opinions, but few agreements. Such is a General Assembly in the United Nations; or in this case, Kutztown University’s own Model United Nations club (KUMUN).
Photo Credit: Emory Cole
The KU model UN holds weekly meetings in the Academic Forum, which range from staples of Model UN like the General Assembly and crisis rooms, to FUNMUN; a debate where any topic goes. General Assemblies are debates on matters of policy, usually between countries and on international issues. The most recent topics included the UN countries’ views on cybersecurity and KU’s students’ views on university policies.
Crisis rooms are exactly what they sound like: delegates must work together to handle an urgent crisis. As plans are drawn up and debated, while rapid-fire updates constantly change the playing field. These are usually historical, such as the Red Sea crisis, or fantasy-themed events, like radon-infused bees overtaking the KU campus. Background guides provide context for the crisis or discussion topic and are sent out beforehand.
Model UN imitates real-world United Nations procedures as accurately as possible, with a key difference. Unlike its real-world counterpart, Model UN is not bogged down in bureaucracy. Fast-paced discussions and debates keep meetings lively. In most cases, delegates will be representing a country, a government position, or a historical figure. However, Model UN is not restricted to reality.
“It’s definitely something I recommend for everybody who is even slightly interested in debating world topics,” KUMUN President, Jerome Serrao, said. “Or even for debating as fictional characters like Han Solo or Luke Skywalker.”
Kutztown University’s Model UN regularly sends delegates to compete with Ivy League schools in conferences around the country. Model UN conferences simulate the workings of the United Nations, with delegates debating from the perspective of their assigned countries (or characters).
Photo Credit: KU Model UN club
Most recently, KUMUN has sent delegates to the University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations Conference and the National Collegiate Security Conference. Interviews are held for members who want to be sent to conferences as delegates.
Since the pandemic, KUMUN has lost much of its membership and is looking to recruit. Before the pandemic, the KU model UN club had upwards of 30 members and could afford to send delegates to international conferences as far as Japan. The goal of KUMUN today is to restore itself to its pre-covid glory.
The club’s current members come from all backgrounds and experience levels. Vice President, Maxon-Gray Hackman, participated in Model UN in high school, and KU’s Model UN club was a big factor in his decision to attend Kutztown.
“One of the main factors that pushed me towards Kutztown was I knew that they had a Model United Nations and a lot of the other colleges I was looking at didn’t,” he said.
According to Hackman, open-mindedness helps him become a successful Model UN delegate.
“The big thing about Model UN is 80% of the time you’re not debating opinions that you agree with,” he said. “It can take a lot to be able to argue and debate for those points when you don’t personally adhere to them.”
Serrao’s first experience with Model UN was when he came to Kutztown.
“I wanted to try out something different and outside of my major,” he said. “I immediately fell in love with it. I love talking about different topics that range away from my repertoire.”
At their most recent conference, the topic of KUMUN’s General Assembly was cyber security and whether it is ethical for a country to spy on their people for security purposes. The delegate representing China argued that spying on its citizens was just a part of ensuring national security. The delegate representing Japan conceded that restrictions were necessary, but condemned China’s methods which it called authoritarian.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan’s delegate believed in absolute internet and cyber freedom, with no restrictions or safeguards whatsoever. They argued that if someone had their information stolen online, they were responsible. Some asked if cybersecurity was an issue at all. Brazil’s delegate argued that the world faced more pressing problems and cybersecurity should not be a top priority. Every country came to the issue from a unique perspective, and all sides of the argument were well-argued. By the time the assembly was dismissed, no consensus was reached.
Outside of its meetings, KUMUN also regularly hosts fundraisers and activities, such as bake sales or movie nights.
“Sometimes we watch football for whoever’s into that or play Jackbox for a few hours, and it’s outside of everything we do as a club,” Hackman said. “If you like D&D I totally recommend it.”
KU model UN club members also organize and run KUMUNC, a conference for high school model UN clubs. KUMUNC is held annually in the spring semesters. In 2024, the theme for the event will be the Industrial Revolution.
Despite lots of cheering and occasional obscenities, meetings adhere to the rules of Model UN. KUMUN subsits on a small but dedicated membership, and a passion for world affairs. It is a club that despite being a shadow of its former self, continues strong.
“I normally wouldn’t be able to debate for or against a topic from a different perspective,” Serrao said. “It gives you a new outlook on things.”