Overview
This committee operates as a Joint Crisis Committee (JCC), meaning your actions in this room are inextricably linked to the events unfolding in the opposing chamber. This high-stakes, multi-room simulation is designed to teach you the fundamentals of cross-committee strategy and real-time crisis management. The committee will function on a two-pad note system, where delegates will be given two legal notepads to write their crisis notes on, and the backroom takes one pad per cycle. Each of the two pads should be filled with notes addressed to one external contact, such as a mother, spouse, or powerful relative. The note cycle duration will vary depending on staffing and the speed of committee debate. On average, it will take 30 minutes to process one pad and collect the second. Crisis updates will take place interspersed with committee, likely coinciding with the note-collections.
Topic: Celtics, 1983-1984 NBA Season
It’s the beginning of the 1983-84 NBA season. The Celtics last won a championship in 1981 against the Houston Rockets but failed to make the NBA Finals in 1982 and 1983. This is seen as a slump for many Celtics fans as the Celtics have been the most dominant team in the NBA from 1957-1969 with Bill Russell being the biggest star from this era of Celtics basketball. Now with Larry Bird on the roster and high aspirations will the Celtics re-take their position as the most dominant franchise in the NBA.
Along with the on-court action fans throughout Boston are yearning for another title, they expect such dominance from at least one of their sports teams. Fans have already noticed the Lakers to be contenders for the NBA title and have begun to fuel a vendetta in Boston for how they are determined to make it back to the top of the league.
The Dais
Amerah Abderrazzaq - Chair
Amerah Abderrazzaq is a senior at Boston University studying International Relations and Economics with a minor in Arabic. Originally from Arlington, Massachusetts—just 20 minutes from the city—Amerah is a local expert and is thrilled to lead the Celtics side of the Lakers vs. Celtics JCC for her fourth and final year staffing BosMUN.
Amerah's history with the conference is extensive; she first attended BosMUN as a high school delegate in 2020. Since joining BU, she has been a cornerstone of the Boston University International Affairs Association (BUIAA). Her leadership roles include serving on the BosMUN Secretariat as the Under-Secretary-General of Crisis Committees (2024) and the Conference Affairs Director (2025). Additionally, she served as the Head Delegate for BU’s competitive travel team last year.
Beyond BosMUN, Amerah is highly active within the BU academic community and serves as current Chief of Staff for the International Relations Review, a longtime staffer for BarMUN (BU’s collegiate conference), and former Dean’s Ambassador for the Pardee School of Global Studies.
As a seasoned veteran of the circuit and a local Massachusetts native, Amerah is ready to see the Celtics bring the heat. She looks forward to a high-energy committee and a memorable final conference!
Contact: amerah@bu.edu
Maliha Qandil - Vice Chair
Maliha Qandil (she/her) is a student at Boston University pursuing a joint major in Philosophy and Political Science with a minor in Public Policy. A true local who calls Boston home, she plans to eventually attend law school to concentrate on international humanitarian law. She is thrilled to serve as the Vice Chair for the Celtics side of the JCC.
Maliha has been competing in Model UN since her freshman year of high school. While she remembers the initial nerves of her first conference, she views MUN as an incredibly beneficial opportunity for growth and diplomacy. She is an active member of the MUN@BU team and strongly encourages delegates to continue the activity in college.
Beyond the committee room, Maliha is highly involved in the BU community with clubs like Omega Phi Alpha, a community service sorority, and BU Outing Club, where she enjoys hiking and weekend trips through New England. Her favorite way to spend a weekend is driving through New Hampshire while listening to Noah Kahan and Fleetwood Mac.
Maliha is a dedicated Celtics fan and is excited to see the delegates embrace their diplomatic characters and engage in spirited debate. She urges everyone to get to know their peers and reminds them that she is always available to help with any questions or concerns.
Contact: Malihaq@bu.edu
Mya Khan - Crisis Director
Mya Khan (she/her) is a pre-law sophomore at Boston University studying International Relations. Raised in northern Massachusetts, Mya is a dedicated Boston sports fan who even keeps memorabilia from Celtics playoff games on her bedroom wall. She is thrilled to lead the backroom as the Crisis Director for the Celtics side of the JCC.
Mya discovered her passion for crisis backrooms during her freshman year while staffing BarMUN XVII. Since then, she has become a staple of the BU crisis community. Beyond Model UN, she is deeply involved in campus life as the editor for the Russia/FSU section of the International Relations Review, a member of the Pre-Law Society (and former newsletter editor) and a staff member at the BU Fitness and Recreation Center Membership Services.
As a former gymnast with a deep appreciation for sports history, Mya values creativity above all else. She encourages delegates to leverage the rich history of the Boston sports scene and push the boundaries of what is possible. She reminds delegates that in a JCC, the environment is uniquely dynamic, and she expects them to use their imagination and best judgment to outmaneuver the Lakers.
When she isn't in the backroom or in class, Mya can be found at pilates, shopping at Aritzia, or crafting the perfect iced latte. She looks forward to seeing "the possible" come to life this February.
Contact: myaskhan@bu.edu
Dylan Navarette - Joint Crisis Director
Dylan Navarrete is a sophomore at Boston University studying History and International Relations. He is hyped to serve as the Joint Crisis Director for the high-stakes Showtime Lakers vs. Showdown Celtics JCC at BosMUN XXV.
Dylan’s MUN experience began in high school and has continued into college, where he has both competed in and staffed various crisis committees. This particular committee is a "fun challenge" for Dylan due to his personal sports allegiances: originally from San Diego, California, he grew up wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey every gameday. Now living in Boston—where the Celtics are essentially a religion—he finds himself in the heart of the rivalry he is directing.
Outside of the world of sports and MUN, Dylan is an avid reader and TV fan. His highlights include reading The Godfather and watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Succession
In the backroom, Dylan looks for creativity and bold choices. He is excited to see delegates who aren’t afraid to make daring moves that provide unique solutions to the crises presented. He warns delegates not to be shocked if they see him sporting Lakers gear throughout the conference weekend.
Contact: dylanpn@bu.edu
Evan Krenav - Assistant Crisis Director
Evan Krenav (he/him) is a sophomore at Boston University studying Economics with a minor in Statistics. Originally from Albany, New York, Evan is a Belarusian-American who has been a dedicated fan of Celtics basketball since he first started watching the NBA in high school. He is grateful to support the Celtics side of the JCC as an Assistant Crisis Director.
Evan’s journey into Model UN began in the Fall of 2025, sparked by the persistent encouragement of his roommate (a BU Head Delegate). While he is a newer member of the circuit, he has quickly embraced the community and is eager to see the high-stakes world of crisis unfold from the backroom.
On campus and in the community, Evan stays busy as a member of the BU Undergraduate Economics Association, reading tutor for elementary school students through the BUILD program, an avid tennis player and distance runner, and he is a major fan of the band Tool.
Drawing inspiration from Celtics legend Kevin Garnett’s famous exclamation, "Anything is possible!", Evan encourages delegates to think outside the box. He believes the best delegates—much like the best sports teams—are those who can expect the unexpected and rise to meet insurmountable challenges with unique, creative solutions.
Contact: ekrenav@bu.edu