Technology policy
Although VMUNC acknowledges that technology may be a valuable resource in fostering collaboration and writing, we believe that it cannot substitute preparation, discussion, or participation in committees. In all committees, research during committee sessions is prohibited. Delegates are expected to come prepared and ready with their researched topics, notes, and any additional resources before starting VMUNC VIII. In addition, using cell phones is not recommended as it is unprofessional unless stated otherwise by the committee staff. There are 3 types of tech committees at VMUNC VIII:
Tech Committees- In tech committees, delegates may use laptops and tablets to draft documents collectively during committee sessions. The use of tech is supposed to happen strictly for committee-related actions, including drafting of any working papers, resolutions, amendments, directives, or crisis documents. If necessary, chairs may check the history of editing or activity in order to verify any possible pre-writing, plagiarism, or inappropriate use of AI.
Unmod Tech Committees- Delegates in Unmod Tech committees can use their laptops or tablets solely during Unmoderated caucuses to draft documents collectively in committee. During moderated caucuses, tech should be put away. Delegates are expected to have their research notes ready both for moderated and unmoderated sessions.
Non-Tech Committees - No usage of technology is accepted during committee sessions in Non-Tech committees. All working papers, resolutions, directives, and additional committee material are expected to be handwritten unless the chair or Secretariat grant exceptions to this rule. Delegates in non-tech committees need to prepare research notes beforehand in a printed version or hand-written form. Inappropriate use of technology, including off-topic browsing, messaging, additional research when not allowed, AI use, plagiarism, or accessing prewritten materials, may result in action at the discretion of the Secretary General. Delegates will never be penalized for not bringing technology, and having technology cannot guarantee stronger committee performance.
PDF download coming soon.
Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy
VMUNC VIII works to provide a safe, respectful, and educational conference setting for all delegates, advisors, staff, and guests. All participants are expected to act professionally and respectfully throughout the conference. All Folsom Cordova Unified School District policies regarding nondiscrimination harassment, intimidation, bullying, and sexual harassment apply during VMUNC VIII and related activities. These expectations apply during the conference preparation, including research, committee communication, document drafting, staff coordination, and other VMUNC-related activities.
Any participant who experiences or witnesses discrimination, or unsafe conduct should report it to a Chair or a Secretariat as soon as possible. Each report will be managed by the secretariat and delegated an appropriate response based on the circumstances and seriousness of the incident. VMUNC will also provide an anonymous reporting option through the conference website and posted in rooms.
The Secretariat will review reports with confidentiality and determine appropriate consequences based on the severity of the incident; repercussions may include, but are not limited to: a verbal warning, removal from committee for one or more sessions, disqualification from awards, suspension or removal from the conference, or further action at the discretion of the Secretary General. VMUNC does reserve the right to contact the participant’s advisor, school, parent or guardian, law enforcement, or appropriate authority when necessary for safety.
PDF download coming soon.
Plagiarism and Generative AI Policy
VMUNC VIII is an academic conference and delegates are expected to deliver original work. That said, any acts of plagiarism on submissions and use of any text/materials by another author without proper accreditation is strictly prohibited. This policy applies to all conference materials, including position papers, speeches, resolutions, amendments, directives, and crisis notes. Using generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or similar programs, to write, edit, or create conference materials is strictly prohibited. Delegates are allowed to use external information for research, however, any quotations, data, statements or other external materials must be referenced accordingly. VMUNC VIII reserves the right to review submitted work for plagiarism or AI-generated content through available detection tools, document review, citation checks, and other reasonable methods. If a delegate’s work is flagged or suspected of violating this policy, committee staff and the Secretariat may review the work, ask the delegate about their writing process, and review document version history when available.
Delegates accused of plagiarism or improper AI use may be given the opportunity to contest the finding by providing evidence. Valid proof can be presented by means of such materials as version history of the document with dates of edits, handwritten notes, outlines, research notes, drafts, or any other materials indicating writing process of the document. Delegates found to have violated this policy may be disqualified from individual awards, removed from consideration for research awards, or face further action at the discretion of the Secretary General. VMUNC VIII’s goal is not only to enforce academic integrity, but also to protect the educational purpose of the conference by ensuring delegates complete their own work.
PDF download coming soon.
Awards Policy
VMUNC VIII is an educational conference. Awards are meant to recognize delegates who contribute meaningfully to committee and debate. We believe that awards supplement the learning experience in model UN, and do not define it. Individual committee awards may include Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, and Verbal Commendation. The number of awards given in each committee varies depending on committee size and the discretion of the Secretariat. Delegate awards will be determined by committee staff using a school-blind evaluation process. Chairs will evaluate delegates holistically based on the quality of their performance throughout the committee, not simply the number of times they speak.
Delegates may be considered based on research, policy accuracy, speeches, proposed solutions, collaboration, diplomacy, contributions to written documents, and responsiveness to committee developments. In crisis committees, both frontroom and backroom performance may be considered, including debate, crisis notes, directives, character consistency, creativity, and adaptability to crisis updates. Research Awards may be granted to delegates who submit strong position papers on time and follow all position paper requirements. Chairs will evaluate position papers based on research depth, organization, policy accuracy, analysis, and proposed solutions. All awards are issued at the discretion of committee staff and the Secretariat. Awards may be reconsidered if there is sufficient reason to believe that a delegate violated any conference policy.
Dress Code
All VMUNC participants are required to wear professional attire to maintain a serious conference environment.
- Professional Western Business Attire includes suit coats or blazers, button-up shirts, pants, dresses, and ties.
- Dresses and skirts should be knee length.
- Delegates should wear the professional attire appropriate for the gender they identify with.
- Casual sweatshirts, casual jackets, jeans, cutoffs, tights, T-shirts, casual dresses, sundresses, sandals, and flip-flops should not be worn.
Dual Delegations
Delegates participating in Dual-Delegation Committees may designate ONE delegate at a time to leave the committee room; one delegate from each delegation MUST remain in the room. Delegates should be mindful of when they enter and exit the room.
Working Outside of Committee
Delegates at VMUNC VIII are not permitted to work on resolutions outside of committee session. Committee chairs may lock working paper documents when committee is not in session, and suspicious activity may be reported to the Secretariat. Delegates should use breaks to rest, get food, and meet other delegates.
Voting Bloc
During Voting Bloc, the dais must lock the door so that no delegate may enter or exit (advisors okay). Delegates are not permitted to send notes at this time, and there must be absolutely no lobbying or crosstalk.
Spectating Committee Sessions
COMING SOON
