Overview
This committee will function as a traditional crisis committee, with an emphasis on teaching foundational MUN crisis skills. 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: Mehmed II’s Cabinet
Watch out as the new young Ottoman Emperor Mehmed II is coming and has his eyes set on Constantinople. After initially building up his navy to aid a siege from the vast seas of Constantinople. Though the city between continents lies as a gap between the Ottoman empire, making the siege evermore important for the future of the Ottoman empire. Mehmed has now recently finished the construction of fortresses to solidify the Ottoman presence along the Bosphorus. A Venetian ship had just recently been sunk after trying to gain access to Constantinople, making the siege inevitable for the Ottomans.
Though with any siege things can go wrong, with an empire that has two separate pieces of territory it is not the easiest to get a message through to the entire army. Along with debates among soldiers who will topple the wall, and an idea being spread around that is there any real glory in being first on top of the wall. With the soldiers nervous but Mehmed’s momentum on the rise, will the Ottomans tear down that wall, or will the Byzantines hold off against the Ottoman siege? What influence will other foreign actors play on Byzantine and Ottoman affairs?
The Dais
Juliana Zraick - Chair
Juliana Zraick (she/her) is a senior at Boston University majoring in International Relations with a minor in Public Health. She is thrilled to serve as the Chair for Mehmet II’s cabinet during the Siege of Constantinople, 1453.
This marks Juliana’s second time staffing BosMUN, returning to the dais after a year spent studying abroad. Her extensive involvement in the Boston University International Affairs Association includes staffing BarMUN, the university’s collegiate conference, and serving as a writer for the International Relations Review, the premier student-run academic publication for IR.
Beyond her academic and diplomatic pursuits, Juliana is an active brother in the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, watching Modern Family or period dramas, and searching for new and delicious recipes to cook. Having participated in Model UN since high school, Juliana holds fond memories of the friendships and bonds formed at conferences. She hopes to help make BosMUN a rewarding experience and a core memory for all her delegates this February.
Contact: julianaz@bu.edu
Tareq Hamad - Vice Chair
Tareq Hamad (he/him) is a first-year graduate student at Boston University pursuing a Master of Science in Data Science. He is honored to serve as the Vice Chair for Mehmet II’s cabinet during the Ottomans’ Siege of Constantinople, 1453. Although this is Tareq’s first year participating in Model UN and BosMUN, he brings an exceptionally global perspective to the committee, having lived in several different countries throughout his life. His background has fostered a long-standing interest in public relations and diplomacy, which he is eager to apply to the historic and strategic challenges facing the Ottoman cabinet.
Outside of his graduate studies, Tareq is a former football (soccer) player who now shares his passion for the sport as a coach. He can frequently be found on the pitch, exercising, or actively participating in community sports programs. Tareq thrives on connecting with new people and learning from diverse cultures, making him a supportive presence for delegates as they navigate their first committee sessions. He is excited to begin his MUN journey at BosMUN XXV and looks forward to a rewarding weekend of collaboration and historical debate.
Contact: tareqh@bu.edu
Ercole LiPuma - Crisis Director
Ercole LiPuma (he/him) is a freshman at Boston University studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He is honored to serve as the Crisis Director for Mehmed II’s war cabinet during the final siege of Constantinople. While this is Ercole’s first time taking on the role of Crisis Director, he brings valuable experience to the backroom, having previously staffed and chaired committees at other conferences. He is particularly excited about this historical topic because it highlights the pivotal transition of Europe away from the Middle Ages—an era he feels is often overlooked in contemporary debate.
A Boston native, Ercole is a great resource for delegates looking for local recommendations on food, thrifting, and city life. Outside of his academic pursuits and Model UN, he enjoys playing tennis and volleyball, reading, cooking, and acting, having recently performed in a production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth. His eclectic taste in music includes artists like Nick Cave, Neil Young, and Sam Fender. Ercole is eager to see how delegates navigate the complex pressures of 1453 and encourages anyone to reach out with questions about the committee or life in Boston.
Contact: lipumae@bu.edu
Mollie Micinilio - Assistant Crisis Director
Mollie Micinilio (she/her) is a freshman at Boston University majoring in International Relations. Originally from southern Connecticut, Mollie has quickly embraced life in Massachusetts, firmly choosing Boston over nearby New York City. This will be her second time staffing a conference this year, having recently served as an Assistant Crisis Director for Boston University’s collegiate conference, BarMUN. In addition to her staffing experience, Mollie is an active member of the competitive MUN@BU travel team and participated in Model UN throughout high school.
When she is not in the committee room, Mollie enjoys a variety of creative and academic hobbies, including playing the bass guitar, reading, and studying new languages. She is currently focusing on Japanese and Mandarin. Mollie is eager to see the creative problem-solving and collaboration that delegates will bring to Mehmet II’s Cabinet. She encourages everyone to bring their "A-game" to the backroom and looks forward to seeing how their innovative ideas move the committee forward during an exciting weekend.
Contact: mm15@bu.edu