ILMUNC - Frequently Asked Questions

The Ivy League Model
United Nations Conference
January 27th-30th, 2011

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ILMUNC Frequently Asked Questions

Registration
Pre-Conference Preparation
General Conference Information

1. What's the deadline for registration?
A.	The priority registration deadline is October 15. The final deadline for registration, and the last day to make hotel reservations, is December 31.
2. What is priority registration?
A.	Schools that register by the priority registration deadline are given priority during country assignments.
3. Are schools allowed to pick their own countries?
A.	After you register your school you will be able to request specific countries to represent through the ILMUNC website. There will be three rounds of country assignments (dates can be found on the "fees and dates" page of the website) and priority will be given to the schools who registered by the priority registration deadline. However, there is no guarantee that the school will receive its first choice country.

1. What is a position paper?
A.	A position paper is a statement that reveals your country's stance on a particular topic. You must complete one paper for each topic in your committee. Position papers will be due to chairs in paper at the first committee session. For more detailed information on how to write a position paper, click here.
2. How should students research for their position papers?
A.	A list of suggested research links is available under the "Research" tab on this website. A good idea would be to start with general information about your country - you can find a detailed overview in the CIA World Fact Book. Then begin researching your topic in general through news articles, past UN resolutions, and relevant conferences or events. Next, find out how your nation is influenced by this issue and what its stance is on how to respond to it. Make sure you are comfortable with your bloc position so you know what other countries agree with yours. Remember that the suggested links are only a sampling of what you should use to prepare for the conference, and search engines will be very helpful! More specifically, it is still necessary to do research even if you are on a crisis committee. A strong foundational knowledge of the issue and familiarity of your country's policies and history will enable you to play your role accurately
3. How can students contact their Chair or Under-Secretary-General before the conference?
A.	Students can contact their respective Undersecretary-General through the email posted on the ILMUNC website (under the page for each organ). Delegates should direct all questions to their Undersecretary-General, who will be happy to assist with any questions a delegate may have. If the Undersecretary-General is unable to respond to the questions, he/she will forward to question to the corresponding Chair, who would be happy to assist.
4. What should students bring to the conference?
A.	Print or photocopy any research you used so that you can easily refer to it at the conference. Remember that ILMUNC prohibits the use of laptop computers both in and out of committee, so don't plan on having access to the Internet for further research. Delegates should bring any committee research they have, as well as any personal items one might need for a weekend. For more information on items to bring to committee sessions, see Questions #1 and #2 under General Conference Information.
5. Does ILMUNC offer any preparation assistance to delegates?
A.	As part of our commitment to education and improvement, staff members will offer three pre-conference training sessions: one for new delegates, one for more experienced delegates, as well as one for international delegates. The first training session will explain basic rules and tips to succeed at your first Model United Nations conference, although any delegate who wishes to enhance their familiarity with parliamentary procedure are welcome to attend. The second, an advanced skills and writing workshop, is for delegates who want to hone their skills and learn strategies to employ when writing resolutions and in other situations. Both sessions will last about an hour. Additionally, for the first time, ILMUNC will have an interactive online training video, which will be on the ILMUNC website in the fall. This video will give delegates the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the rules of debate before conference begins.
6. Are pre-written resolutions allowed at ILMUNC?
A.	Although outside research is highly encouraged before the conference, pre-written resolutions are not allowed. ILMUNC has a strict policy against any pre-written document and plagiarism will be treated as a serious matter.

1. What office-supplies does ILMUNC provide for commitee sessions?
A.	ILMUNC provides each delegate with a placard for his/her country, a notebook, and a pen.
2. What should I bring to Committee session?
A.	First off, students must always wear western business attire to committee sessions. This means that students are expected to wear a suit jacket, suit pants, a tie, and dress shoes. Bring the ILMUNC provided placard, notebook and pen, as well as any applicable research...and of course please bring a passion to solve international issues!
3. Is attendance taken at Committees?
A.	Yes, attendance will be taken at every committee session.
4. Can faculty advisors attend committee sessions?
A.	Although faculty advisors cannot participate during committee, faculty advisors are allowed, and encouraged, to be present during the committee sessions.
5. When do students eat & will food be provided for free?
A.	ILMUNC does not provide meals for delegates at the conference. We recommend that students explore Philadelphia in groups to eat meals, or bring snacks for in between committee sessions. Some school delegations choose to eat meals together but this is neither necessary nor is it sponsored by ILMUNC. Suggestions for restaurants at all locations and prices can be found in our Philadelphia Guide, which will be distributed at conference.
6. How much money should I bring to survive for a weekend in Philly?
A.	We recommend that students bring anywhere from $100 to $200 dollars to buy meals and souvenirs at the conference (like an ILMUNC t-shirt!)
7. How do we spend time outside committee?
A.	Outside of committee students are free to explore Philadelphia in groups. At the conference delegates will be provided with a guide to restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions that you can visit in the Philadelphia area. Additionally, tours of Penn's campus and transportation to and from campus will be available on Friday during the morning. On Friday and Saturday night the ILMUNC staff will organize a delegate reception and dance. These events are not mandatory but have been extremely fun in the past.
8. What are the rules & regulations of the conference and how are they enforced?
A.	ILMUNC has a zero tolerance policy with regards to alcohol and drugs. Students are not permitted to bring, buy, or use either of these items throughout the weekend. If students are discovered with contraband their entire school's delegation will be penalized. Hotel curfew at 12AM will be enforced by ILMUNC staff and the hotel halls will be monitored throughout the night.
9. What is the ILMUNC cancellation policy?
A.	Because the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference and the International Affairs Association incur certain expenses prior to the conference, it is therefore necessary for us to have the following cancellation policy: All cancellations must be submitted in writing (via email to sec-gen@ilmunc.com or dir-gen@ilmunc.com) and received before 11:59PM on the 17th of December, 2010. Schools who cancel, for whatever reason, prior to this date will be refunded all fees excluding the delegate deposit and school deposit. Schools and individuals who registered for the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference and cancel after December 17th are responsible for the entire conference fees. Schools who wish to decrease their delegation size must do so in writing before 11:59PM on the 17th of December. Schools who decrease their delegation size, for whatever reason, prior to this date will be refunded all fees excluding the delegate deposit and school deposit. Schools and individuals who decrease their delegation size after December 17th will still be held responsible for the entire conference fees according to their delegation size on December 17th.