There's no Surf in Cleveland: Cleveland Emergency City Council, 1978

 

In 1978, Cleveland faces a series of challenges. Just a few months after narrowly re-electing their mayor, Mayor Dennis Kucinich, the city anxiously watches a press conference that changes everything. The mayor announces that Cleveland would default on $15 million of debt owed to six different Ohio banks, making it the first U.S. city to declare bankruptcy since the Great Depression. Relations between the mayor and city council already run hot - Kulcinich has called the group "buffoons" on live television. So, in the harrowing days in the end of 1978, he brings together an emergency committee of Clevelanders from all walks of life to try and address the seemingly endless problems the city faces. With everything from a shrinking job market, to local corruption, to a river so polluted it inspired the Clean Water Act, the committee has a lot to tackle. Delegates can look forward to an eventful weekend in Cleveland, 1978 - you gotta be tough!


jose vazquez

Chair

Jose is a rising third-year majoring in political science with a minor in Germanic studies (he knows, a lil strange.) He was born in Zapopan, Jalisco but grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah––the exact opposite vibe, but darn it, is it beautiful. Last year, he was a crisis director for "One Penguin, One Vote: Dividing Antarctica, 2023" and in his first year in ChoMUN, he was an assistant chair for "The President Wears Prado: The Cabinet of Manuel Prado, Ugartrenche, Peru, 1956." He will also be a crisis director for UChicago's high school conference, MUNUC, in an exciting Space Race committee. Outside of ChoMUN, he is an enthusiastic basketball enjoyer whether that is playing, discussing, or watching, He is there for it. In an effort to integrate himself into Germanic studies, you can find him mindlessly scrolling through German TikTok, baking German sweets, or attempting to read German literature. Other than that, you can find him doing whatever his most recent short-lived obsession is.

Any-who, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about anything, reach out to him at josevazquez@uchicago.edu

miller dunbar

Crisis Director

Miller is a fourth year double majoring in Economics and Hispanic Literatures. She moved around a lot growing up (six states!), but is most recently from Colorado and has embraced the mile high vibe. In previous ChoMUNs, she was a crisis director for The President Wears Prado: Peru 1956, and assistant chaired for both NASCAR and Rahm Emmanuel's First Term, 2011. She will also be CDing for UChicago's high school conference, MUNUC, this year, and competes on the competitive team. Outside of MUN, Miller is a tour guide for admissions and loves her hobbies, included but not limited to crochet, jewelry making, roller skating, ukulele-and-guitar-playing, cooking, and eating tacos.

If you have any questions about Cleveland or your own indie spin-off song inspired by the city's environmental crisis, please reach out at millerdunbar@uchicago.edu.

Angelysse Madsen

CRISIS DIRECTOR

Angelysse is a 4th year in the College studying psychology, comparative human development, and neuroscience. Outside of academics, she is highly involved in all aspects of Model UN at UChicago, and plans events for the university community. She plays hockey (badly), loves trying new coffee shops, and spends her free time taking care of her plants and doing puzzles. If you need food or coffee recs for Chicago, she probably has a list. She is excited to be running “No Surf in Cleveland” for her last ChoMUN, and you can reach her at angelyssemadsen@uchicago.edu if you have any questions!


Secretariat oversight:

aoife stapleton, Under-secretary-general