If you thought that this weekend the Grounds was only affected by the upsetting football loss to Maryland followed by a soccer win, 50 mph winds and huge piles of leaves that surpass Mt. Everest, you were wrong.
Mr. Jefferson's University was host to close to 800 suit-clad high schoolers participating in the 23rd annual Virginia Model United Nations Conference (VAMUN) organized by the International Relations Organization (IRO).
For those not familiar with the concept of Model UN, high school student Banafsheh Fathieh from C.D. Hylton High School of Woodbridge, Va. had an explanation:"It is mocking the UN, while trying to work towards a common goal to solve world's problems."
Every year, thousands of students from high schools and universities participate in MUN conferences around the world. They simulate the real United Nations committees as delegates from different nations in order to bring some relief to world crises such as SARS.
This year the delegates of the VAMUN conference came from 30 different high schools from states including California, Illinois, Maryland and Ohio as well as Virginia, representing close to 150 countries.
After their arrival Thursday, the delegates participated in workshops administrated by the members of the IRO to improve their skills as delegates.
On Friday, following the opening ceremonies, the vigorous schedule of the 14 different committees of VAMUN got their start. The meetings lasted through Saturday and early yesterday. During the two days of the conference, speakers such as Politics Prof. William Quandt gave speeches on high profile issues like the reconstruction of Iraq.
Though the meeting times look long and exhausting on the daily schedule of events, Fathieh said it could be worse.
"It's not as bad as other places where you have six hours straight of debating," she said.
The 14 VAMUN committees covered a range of topics, dealing with issues as varied as crimes against women in the Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee and the situation of Iraq in the United Nations Security Council.
MUN conferences take place in more than 30 countries each year, engaging thousands of students. But the one that takes place in Charlottesville is a one-of-a-kind experience. Fourth-year College student Scott Anderson, who was also the Under Secretary-General for General Assembly and Economic and Social Council Committees for the event, mentioned a unique aspect of VAMUN.
"We wake the members of the US National Security Council, the Iraqi Governing Council and the UN Security Council at 1:30 at night because of a crisis and keep them up until 3:30," Anderson said.
The Charlottesville conference is also different in other ways. Melanie Quillen from George C. Marshall High School from Falls Church, Va., said, "People really know what they are doing here -- it's a lot better than other conferences."
Fathieh agreed: "The staff is very well prepared. I also like the atmosphere here. It s very refreshing and friendly."
Many delegates agree that it is the fun aspect of VAMUN and U.Va. Grounds that makes the difference.
Louis Matthews, a high school senior from Langley High School in McLean, Va., said the conference is only part of the fun.
"It's as much fun as you make it," he said. "U.Va. has such a beautiful campus with interesting people. So it is more than just the conference."
There were many events organized during the conference to involve the VAMUN guests with the Grounds and Charlottesville. Tours of the Grounds and Monticello were available to the high school students Friday. They even got a taste of the Newcomb Ballroom at the Saturday night dance. And of course, they got to see the University students.
Langley High School senior Joe Ho said "I am hoping [the dance] will be fun, especially if there are good-looking college girls around."
Even though the dance seemed to have prospects of college life for Ho, he was distressed about the curfew set for the students.
"It's way too early," he said. "Even on Saturday it's 1:00."
Robert E. Lee, a sophomore from Langley, also was dissatisfied with the curfew. "It is way too early -- the meetings didn't end till 10:00 on Friday and our curfew was 12:00. That doesn't really give us time," Lee said. Fitting the teenage rebel profile, Lee also said "Also the rent-a-cops [the security staff of IRO] were annoying."
Maybe therent-a-copsand the curfew were a little too restrictive for the high school students hungry for some good college fun, but the students still found Charlottesville satisfying to their tastes.
"We always ate at O Malley's and White Spot," Matthews said. "The number of Gusburgers you can eat shows what kind of a man you are."
Fathieh added that "it is the perfect college town. The Corner is friendly and people are nice."
However, Charlottesville also proved to have some negative aspects.
"I was surprised to see so many homeless people," Matthews said. "That's really not good."
In addition to the 18 and under category of students, VAMUN also included the members of IRO who organized the conference with the help from Politics Prof. James Sofka, dean of the Echols Scholars Program.
The minds behind this weekend's conference exhausted themselves while managing it from Newcomb 168, the headquarters of VAMUN, but many organizers said they felt it was worth it. Will Sowers, fourth-year College student and Secretary-General (meaning he is channeling Kofi Annan s responsibilities for VAMUN), said "We are educating the high schoolers, and that is a good deal of satisfaction."
Though it takes time, dedication and actingunder 18(no drinking, smoking or flirting) for an entire weekend, Anderson saidit is the one of the most fun times of the year. Having attended VAMUN as a high schooler, Anderson added that "it gets better and better."
VAMUN is also a bonding experience for the IRO. David Buckley, fourth-year College student and president of the IRO, said many new friendships arise from the event.
"Working together is the best way for new and old members to get to know each other," he said. "That is how I met Will [Sowers], and we ve been friends since."
The conference usually tends to run smoothly, except for a few delegates running wild.
"Chasing high school students on their way to Rugby definitely has been an experience," Buckley said.
Rugby Road was the point of interest of many students.
"The frats and everything are really cool, but we got lost during the day over there," Matthews said.
Maybe next time he'll be luckier.
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