Committees
*Clicking on the name of the committee will bring you to its briefing paper*
Beginner
Hawaiian Legislative Body: Tidal Terror
Hawaii is seen as a paradise and a perfect vacation spot, mostly because of its tropical location. However, Hawaii’s remote location presents a very special danger when it comes to the impending natural disaster. An enormous hurricane is on the horizon. In the Middle School committee for SJMUNC XXXVIII, delegates must take on the full force of this unfolding crisis. With a Category 5 hurricane rapidly approaching the Hawaiian Islands, delegates must act swiftly to protect lives, stabilize infrastructure, and manage a wide-reaching emergency response. Delegates will debate urgent questions. Delegates should be ready to think critically, act decisively, and collaborate under pressure as they navigate this natural disaster. Delegates should be well researched in their roles and be ready for committee.
Co-Chair: Nehemiah St. Surin
Chair: Christian Agwanda
Peacekeeping In The Modern Space Age
Though the role of SPECPOL has been historically confined to earthly disputes— decolonization, demilitarization, and the promotion of general peace— its expansion across new frontiers is inevitable. In this spirit, our committee will explore the function of international diplomacy when applied to outer space. With a renewed national interest in space travel, accelerated by the rise of private companies like SpaceX, the global spotlight will soon shift towards astronautics as the harbinger of the future. It is only a matter of time, then, before the realm of accessible space becomes as highly contended as war-torn regions on our planet. Take into consideration the Cold War, where the space race became synonymous with national pride and technological sophistication. Today the world runs a similar race, just with more players, greater powers, and higher stakes. And ultimately, as the eve of globally interested space travel nears, diplomacy may be the only way to propel exploration efforts while preserving the thin strands of peace—which, if broken, could plunge the world into consequences of a higher order.
Chair: Aarav Jain
Co-Chair: Owen Meagher
Piracy and Maritime Law
Though it no longer resembles old familiar images of swashbuckling scallywaggs with peg-legs and eyepatches, modern piracy and similar maritime crime still poses a great threat to current global well-being and safety. Piracy, maritime terrorism, and armed robbery against ships all endanger global trade, security, and lives. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, it is critical to ensure the stability of trade in order to maintain the connections which everyone has grown to rely upon. There have been various effective agreements in the past, yet they still offer lots of room to grow, specifically because of their intricacies of legal phrasing and of new developments in the maritime world. It will be greatly beneficial for delegates to know and understand the existing legal framework in order for them to create beneficial additions in areas pertinent to them. In this committee, delegates are encouraged to think outside-the-box and delve into the specifics of the problems they face, while simultaneously examining the specifics of how they would like to implement their solutions. The broad scope of the committee allows delegates to weave in interesting and relevant ideas about the topic that, though pertinent to the discussion at hand, may not directly be directly mentioned in the briefing paper.
Chair: Alex Krolewski
Co-Chair: Wesley Allebach
The Second Amendment Dilemma
In the SENATE committee for SJMUNC XXXVIII, delegates will become members of the United States Senate, tackling issues created by gun violence, as well as looking to reform current policies. When assuming the role of a senator, delegates will view the current gun rights from their role, deciding whether firearms require more regulation or if it is a freedom Americans are obligated to. When conducting a solution, delegates need to take into account past pieces of legislation, as well as coming up with a solution that upholds the constitutional rights of American citizens. This is a fictitious committee topic, so it is a great way to show your imagination and create a unique solution. This committee is still a way for delegates to learn, so be prepared to make and learn from mistakes.
Chair: Aryan Modi
Co-Chair: Will Berger
The Threat of Criminal-Political Networks to Regional Security
We learn about International gangs primarily through adaptations of them in movies or books. The Triad, Yakuza, and Chaebol are 3 real world examples of these criminal organizations who have implemented themselves in their nation's governmental structure. Their significant impact on international security, politics and governance cause their influence around the world to transcend national boundaries causing DISEC the need to intervene. The Triad originally from China have now spread their influence throughout the world by smuggling people and drugs, and manipulating politics in favor of the Chinese government essentially being the strongman of the operation. The Yakuza mainly engage in activities involving gambling and extortion while maintaining relationships with important political and business figures living in Japan and surrounding areas. Chaebols, although legal, still undermine much of the law which in turn leads to corruption and the formation of these monopolies such as Samsung, and Hyundai. Although primarily focused on these three organizations, DISEC’s role is to implement safeguards against these three groups and see how that can expand internationally to nations suffering from similar problems to halt such issues from arising in the future. As a beginner committee we highly encourage new MUN’ers and experienced people to try their best in a judgement free zone! Remember we’re here to meet new people, make friends, and have a great time. Welcome to the DISEC committee for SJMUNC XXXVIII and I hope to see you soon!!
Chair: Arush Patel
Co-Chair: Gabe Mercado-Lubo
Intermediate
A Perilous Infection
Inside the body of an unidentified patient, a medical emergency is unfolding. A severe infection has thrown internal systems into chaos, threatening the survival of the host. Delegates in this unique committee will take on the roles of organs, cells, and bodily systems—each with distinct functions, priorities, and personalities—to form the Internal Emergency Council, tasked with stabilizing the patient and coordinating a coherent response to the crisis.
As a specialized body, this committee will not rely on fast-paced crisis updates, but rather on collaborative debate, biologically-inspired resolution writing, and creative diplomacy. Delegates must balance their individual needs (oxygen, energy, immune support) with the overall survival of the body. Disagreements may arise between aggressive immune cells and vulnerable organs, or between energy-hungry muscles and overworked kidneys. Some delegates, like pathogens or rogue cells, may have hidden motives that disrupt progress.
Success requires a deep understanding of how body systems interact—both scientifically and politically. Delegates will be challenged to think critically, collaborate despite disagreements, and act decisively before the body succumbs to failure. The fate of the patient lies in your hands.
Chair: Ryan Pergola
Co-Chair: Aadi Jagannathan
Two Worlds Collide
The year is 1986, and the town of Hawkins, Indiana, once again finds itself at the heart of an inexplicable anomaly. A “four-pronged gate” has been opened by an evil beyond anything previously imaginable, connecting the hellish world of the Upside Down—a dangerous, unstable, and mysterious dimension unfamiliar to the public—to the quiet, previously unassuming town of Hawkins. Scientists and authorities are baffled. Civilians are terrified. And those who have seen this evil before? Determined to stop whatever caused this.
In response to these ongoing events, the Stranger Things: Two Worlds Collide Committee has been convened. It includes local leaders, federal agents, international observers, scientists, and most importantly, those who have faced the Upside Down before and lived to tell the tale. In this special hybrid committee, delegates will engage in debates and discussions during the first session, and as the day draws to an end, crises will occur; delegates must respond and come up with a solution by the end of the day. The clock is ticking, there is no time to waste.
Chair: Ronan Davis
Co-Chair: David Wang
The Regulation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights allow college athletics participants to profit from their names through endorsements, sponsorships, and other business endeavors. As great as this development frees players economically, it is fraught with many challenges. The largest challenge is the lack of one-size-fits-all rules because each school and state can have different NIL policies, which creates confusion and inconsistency among programs. Conversely, some players, especially in what are termed as high-profile sports like football and basketball, are gaining uneven opportunities, which also distance them from less popular sports participants.
Another concern is the effect of NIL agreements on recruiting. Deep-pocketed benefactors and third-party collectives can offer high dollars to sway an athlete's school selection, raising questions of equity and undermining amateurism. Exploitation is also a threat, as young athletes—many without legal or financial counsel—can sign unjust or binding contracts. Academic motives can become secondary to profit motive, distorting the very essence of college athletics.
Further, opportunity deal disparities create tension in locker rooms and on teams. Without checking and educating, NIL can transform the collegiate sports world in ways that erode fairness, integrity, and the student-athlete experience.
Chair: Rishik Paluri
Co-Chair: Trevor Higgins
Advanced
The Shadows of the Empire
The Clone Wars are over, but the galaxy remains far from peace. With the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire’s new order, the Outer Rim has descended into chaos. In the shadow of this shifting regime, two powerful criminal syndicates vie to exploit the growing power vacuum: the Hutt Cartel and the Pyke Syndicate.
The Hutt Cartel, an ancient crime empire built on wealth, intimidation, and political corruption, seeks to preserve its dominance across spice routes, slave markets, and Outer Rim strongholds. Long established as the galaxy’s premier criminal powerhouse, the Hutts rule through brutality and tradition.
Challenging them is the newer Pyke Syndicate, secretive spice traffickers whose control of the Kessel mines gives them a stranglehold on the galaxy’s most valuable illicit trade. Younger, more ruthless, and bent on expansion, the Pykes aim to overturn the underworld’s balance and reshape it in their image.
When a major spice convoy vanishes en route from Kessel, both sides scramble to assign blame—and prepare for war. The two underworld superpowers are currently at a perilous standstill. Delegates must navigate bribes, betrayals, alliances, and blockades in a race to dominate the criminal future of the galaxy, before the Empire turns its eye toward them all. Please refer to the ad-hoc survival guide for a crisis how-to and feel free to email me with any questions.
Chair: Nishan Shaik
Co-Chair: Adam Somerset
The Shadows of the Empire
The Clone Wars are over, but the galaxy remains far from peace. With the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire’s new order, the Outer Rim has descended into chaos. In the shadow of this shifting regime, two powerful criminal syndicates vie to exploit the growing power vacuum: the Hutt Cartel and the Pyke Syndicate.
The Hutt Cartel, an ancient crime empire built on wealth, intimidation, and political corruption, seeks to preserve its dominance across spice routes, slave markets, and Outer Rim strongholds. Long established as the galaxy’s premier criminal powerhouse, the Hutts rule through brutality and tradition.
Challenging them is the newer Pyke Syndicate, secretive spice traffickers whose control of the Kessel mines gives them a stranglehold on the galaxy’s most valuable illicit trade. Younger, more ruthless, and bent on expansion, the Pykes aim to overturn the underworld’s balance and reshape it in their image.
When a major spice convoy vanishes en route from Kessel, both sides scramble to assign blame—and prepare for war. The two underworld superpowers are currently at a perilous standstill. Delegates must navigate bribes, betrayals, alliances, and blockades in a race to dominate the criminal future of the galaxy, before the Empire turns its eye toward them all. Please refer to the ad-hoc survival guide for a crisis how-to and feel free to email me with any questions.
Chair: Kirpal Singh Rayat
Co-Chair: Javan Premraj
A War of Crowns
Chair: Manav Guttalapalli
Co-Chair: Milton Lito
This committee will require delegates to independently conduct comprehensive research into the topic prior to the start of SJMUNC 38, embody the role of a character set in a time period centuries before ours, and be an expert in parliamentary procedure as to facilitate a faster moving flow of debate. Delegates will find very little time to create the usual resolutions found in Model U.N., and will instead work with directives to navigate the crisis that they find themselves embroiled in. The KCD Crisis committee is based on the historical fiction video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Set in Bohemia during the Middle Ages, the narrative follows the son of a blacksmith as he experiences tragedy, travels the kingdom, and seeks revenge. This committee will not feature the protagonist of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, as it will be focused more on the historical events that the game’s creators sought to portray. Although the main character of the video game will not be present, relevant side characters will be utilized and adapted for historical accuracy and the purposes of this committee. Navigating the social hierarchy of the time while maintaining the expectations and values of your character will prove difficult; achieving your agenda as you deal with war, famine, disease, social etiquette, and more might prove impossible. Recommended for delegates who are confident in their Model U.N. experience, are the best at what they do, and looking for a challenge.
In SJMUNC’s second-ever Ad-Hoc committee, delegates will be thrust into a high-stakes, fast-paced crisis environment where adaptability and quick thinking are essential. Unlike traditional committees with clearly defined structures and topics, the Ad-Hoc will keep participants completely in the dark until the day before the conference, when the theme is finally revealed. This unique format demands creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to thrive under pressure as delegates respond to rapidly evolving developments in real time. The unpredictable and challenging nature of this committee makes it best suited for experienced delegates seeking a more intense and dynamic experience. Participants can expect fierce debate, unexpected twists, and the chance to craft innovative, cutting-edge solutions in an environment unlike any other at SJMUNC. Think you’re ready to face the unknown? Here’s your first clue…https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RpyORfWTrn1u73v4wTf9bgcXR4u_ucVqmjdkoSkFu-c/edit?usp=sharing
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Chair: JR Chopra
Co-Chair: Farzaad Hussain