Policies

Awards

BearMUN believes that awards should supplement Model United Nations’ educational experience. For that reason, BearMUN distributes awards to recognize delegates who demonstrate exceptional diplomacy, creativity, and engagement in committee. Each committee offers at least one Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, Honorable Mention, and Verbal Commendation for each committee. The number of awards each committee distributes will depend on the committee’s size.

Committee staffers will determine which delegates receive awards without consideration of delegates’ schools. BearMUN staffers will evaluate delegates performance holistically based on a number of factors including but not limited to:

  • Ability to collaborate with other delegates
  • Creativity and comprehensiveness of proposed directives and/or resolutions
  • Demonstrated understanding of the delegate’s respective country or character
  • Contribution to committee discussions through speeches
  • Quality of crisis arcs, notes, and directives (limited to crisis committees)

    • Importantly, BearMUN will not accept, consider, or require delegate position papers written before the conference.

    Additionally, BearMUN will award delegation awards, including for small and large delegations. BearMUN considers any delegation of 10 or more delegates to be a large delegation and any delegation of 9 or less delegates as a small delegation. We evaluate delegation awards based on the cumulative number and weight of awards received by each school’s delegates.

    All awards are non-revocable and permanent unless it is found that a delegate or delegation has violated a conference policy and that action warrants award revocation.


    Harassment

    BearMUN seeks to create a safe and open environment for all delegates to learn and thrive. Therefore, BearMUN strictly prohibits any form of harassment including verbal and non-verbal. Further, BearMUN has a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of discrimination based on but not limited to:

  • Race or Ethnicity
  • Gender or Gender Expression
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Socioeconomic Background
  • Religion
  • Disability

    • This policy applies to communication made in-character and out-of-character by delegates.

    If you have any concerns, complaints, or discomfort, contact your chair, crisis director, USG, or member of our secretariat. Any person who is found to be in violation of this policy will need to speak to the BearMUN Secretariat. From there, BearMUN Secretariat will determine a reprimand or punishment proportional to the individual’s misconduct.


    Plagiarism

    BearMUN strictly prohibits any form of plagiarism. Our conference considers the use of another’s work without proper citation or acknowledgement as plagiarism. Those found to have plagiarized material for or in committee will have their awards revoked and may be barred from future conferences. Delegations with multiple cases of plagiarism may have multiple awards reconsidered, including awards for their delegation.


    Clause Writing

    Our conference also prohibits the use of pre-written clauses in committee. Specifically, BearMUN bars the usage of substantive material written outside of committee hours. Delegates must write clauses for resolutions and directives in committee, and they must not write clauses during non-committee on conference weekend. Additionally, delegates may not delete clauses without the permission of the author. However, BearMUN permits delegates to use props in committee—although props will not be considered for awards.

    Please contact your committee chair if you suspect the usage of pre-written clauses in committee. BearMUN staffers reserve the right to investigate pre-written work claims and check document history. Delegates found to be in violation of this policy will be punished based on the severity of the offense.


    Technology

    BearMUN believes technology is an invaluable tool for delegates to research, learning, and debate. However, BearMUN also believes improper use of technology during committee gives some delegates an unfair advantage. For this reason, delegates must not use technology for additional research in committee. BearMUN expects delegates to research their committee’s issues prior to committee and bring written notes if they deem it useful. Additionally, cell phone usage is discouraged in committee. BearMUN permits varying degrees of technology access depending on the committee type.

  • GA Committees: Delegates are expected to use laptops in unmoderated caucuses to work on working papers and resolutions. Technology will not be expected to be put away during other parts of the committee.
  • Crisis Committees and Specialized Bodies: Delegates may not use technology in committee at all. All pre-written research must be in physical form, and all directives and resolutions will be handwritten.

    • If you have concerns or questions, please reach out to your committee chair. Delegates found to violate this policy or who use technology to gain an unfair advantage will be punished according to the severity of the offense.


    Minors Policy

    UCBMUN and BearMUN are committed to the safety and health of minors. For this reason, we have crafted the following guidelines, policies, and requirements for BearMUN’s staffers to keep our conference safe for delegates. Our staffers have completed training through the university on how to look out for and report child abuse. Additionally, all of BearMUN’s staffers have agreed to abide by the following code of conduct:

    1. You will abide by the Berkeley campus policy on Activities Involving Minors and your program’s local policies concerning minors.
    2. You will treat minors with respect at all times, regardless of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, medical condition, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
    3. You will not engage in:
      • Physical abuse: hitting, spanking, shaking, slapping, unnecessary restraints
      • Verbal abuse: degrading, threatening, cursing
      • Sexual abuse: inappropriate touching, exposing yourself, etc.
      • Mental abuse: shaming, humiliation, cruelty
      • Neglect: withholding food, water, shelter, bathroom privileges
    4. You will immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to your program supervisor or to the UCPD at 510-642-6760.
    5. You will not work one-on-one with minors in a private or secluded setting.
    6. You will not stare at or comment on minors’ bodies.
    7. You will not use profanity or tell off-color jokes around minors.
    8. You will not discuss your sex life around minors or involve minors in your personal affairs.
    9. You will not have sexually-oriented materials, including pornography, around minors.
    10. You will follow your program’s policies regarding off-hours contact with minors.
    11. You will not use or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs around minors.
    12. You will stop as soon as safely possible the following behaviors between minors:
      • Hazing
      • Bullying
      • Derogatory name-calling
      • Games of Truth or Dare
      • Ridicule or humiliation
      • Sexual activity