JCC Ad Astra Per Aspera: Dominion of Solace
The Calamity wasn't just an environmental catastrophe but a moral one. While Earth burned under the weight of unchecked industrialization and corporate greed, the founders of the Dominion of Solace made a different choice. They would not repeat humanity's errors. They would build something pure.
United by their rejection of the tech-obsessed corruption that destroyed their homeworld, the Dominion set out for Alpha Centauri with a sacred mission: to create a civilization in harmony with nature where human society could flourish without exploiting and destroying the environment that sustained it. Their coalition brought together diverse groups, including philosophers, religious communities, sustainable agriculturalists, and others who shared the vision of a balanced coexistence with their new world.
Their early arrival at Alpha Centauri seemed like a blessing. The southern territories offered rich mines, clean water, and fertile everything needed to build their sustainable paradise while protecting Alpha Centauri from Earth's mistakes. They settled carefully, taking only what they needed and safeguarding the rest for future generations. Then Centek arrived. The same corporate mentality that had poisoned Earth now sought to claim Alpha Centauri, demanding access to resources with the barely-veiled threat of military force. The Dominion's principled stand against Centek's territorial demands led to costly conflicts that weakened both factions, but the Dominion held their ground. Some things are worth fighting for.
Committee begins as the Dominion faces internal debates about its next steps. Its various factions agree on protecting Alpha Centauri from Earth's mistakes but differ on everything from governance structures to resource sharing. The Dominion must unite its vision while negotiating with neighbors who seem determined to repeat history's worst chapters. The future of human civilization and Alpha Centauri itself hangs in the balance.
Timothy Lu
Chair
Timothy is a fourth-year majoring in Economics and Law, Letters, and Society, with a minor in Cognitive Science. Born and raised in Canada, recent events have him feeling nostalgic for home! Prior to this year, Timothy served as the Chair for the GAd Hoc at ChoMUN XXVIII, Chair for the CSICOP committee at ChoMUN XXVII, and Assistant Chair to Democracy for Dummies at ChoMUN XXVI.
Outside of ChoMUN, Timothy serves as the President of UChicago’s competitive Model UN Team, as well as a chair of MUNUC, UChicago’s high school conference. Outside of Model UN, Timothy is the student government’s Trustee and Faculty Governance Liaison, and an avid fencer on UChicago’s club team.
Timothy is super excited about being your chair at ChoMUN XXIX! If you’d like to hear about why sabre is the superior weapon, or need care tips for your monstera plant, you can reach him at timlu@uchicago.edu.
Erica Olea velazquez
Crisis Director
Erica is a third-year at the college majoring in Biology and Public Policy on the pre-med track. She was born in Santa Barbara, California, and in the hopes of nally experiencing all four seasons, she chose to move to the Midwest. Though her loyalties should belong to the West Coast or the Midwest, if you ask her about her favorite burger joint, she’ll disagree with Elliot and say that What-A-Burger is the best burger joint, because though she loves California, her heart does partially belong to Texas (hook ‘em)! Prior to crisis directing for this JCC, Erica served as an assistant chair for The Kasparov Gambit: The International Chess Federation, at ChoMUN XXVII, and most recently, as the chair for Grand Granada Gambit: Nasrid Emirate of Granada, at ChoMUN XXVIII. She was also a chair for a committee MUNUC, our high school conference, and participates on the circuit.
Outside of MUN, Erica is very active in a wide variety of things. She volunteers around Hyde Park regularly, and does microbiology and immunology research. If she’s not in her lab or in the library, you can nd her cooking (she’s a foodie) or at the gym (possibly rock climbing!).
Erica can’t wait to be your Crisis Director! If you want to reach out to Erica about anything, even if it's to just say hi or talk about college football, her email is eoleavelazquez@uchicago.edu.
Will Foster
Coordinating CRISIS DIRECTOR
William is a fourth-year in the College studying Political Science and Economics. He hails from the small town of Durham, Connecticut, where his next-door neighbors are twenty-three Jersey cows. He served as an Assistant Chair at ChoMUN XXVI on the committee It’s a Whole New World: Board of Disney Directors, 2012, and was a Crisis Director for The Kasparov Gambit: The International Chess Federation, 1993 at ChoMUN XXVII and Do You Hear the People Sing? The June Rebellion, 1832, at ChoMUN XXVIII.
He is also a member of UChicago’s competitive Model UN team and competes on UChicago’s 28-time national champion quiz bowl team. William has competed on five JCCs (six if you count the LAMUN Ad-Hoc JCC), so he is excited to show the rest of the circuit how it’s done.
William is excited to be your CCD! If you have any questions, you can reach William at williamf@uchicago.edu.
Secretariat oversight:
LULU DELUCA, Under-secretary-general