Contact us: sunymeu@buffalostate.edu
We will continue to update this page as planning for SUNYMEU 2025 continues.
ABOUT SUNYMEU
Q: What is SUNYMEU?
A: SUNYMEU is a simulation of the end of six-month presidency of the Council. SUNYMEU simulates the agreement of Council Conclusions, which in the EU serves to guide the EU institutions (the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament) over the next several months. SUNYMEU 2025 simulates the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Council Presidency trio is Poland, Denmark, Cyprus.
Q: How long is SUNYMEU?
A: SUNYMEU is a 2-1/2 day event. It begins Friday, April 4 in the afternoon and ends with distribution of awards, certificates of completion, delegation photos, on Sunday, April 6.
SUNYMEU Program
ALTER EGOS & MEMBER STATES
Q: Can my campus express a preference for a member state, leadership role, press corps, European Commission, etc.?
A: Please email sunymeu@buffalostate.edu to request a delegation or to be placed on a delegation. (We post an alter ego list of available roles on our website, which we update regularly.)
Q: How do you assign member states and alter egos?
With respect to leadership roles, SUNYMEU organizers invite SUNYMEU veterans to play the Council Presidency, the European Council President, and the High Representative. The European Commission is kept open for a campus to request.
Q: How do I know which member states/roles are open?
Member State/Alter Ego Assignment page, select an open member state, then email sunymeu@buffalostate.edu with your request. We suggest you make your request at your very earliest convenience because once the spring semester begins we fill on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Q: No one on my campus wants to participate. How can I be placed on a member state delegation?
A: Contact us at sunymeu@buffalostate.edu. We can place you on a multi-campus team.
Member State and Alter Ego Assignment Table
DRESS CODE
Q: Is there a dress code for SUNYMEU?
A: Yes. Students and faculty wear business dress as suitable for a high-level meeting of EU and member states officials.
PARTICIPATION
Q: Do students need a campus-based faculty advisor to participate in SUNYMEU?
A: No. Students may take the initative and organize a delegation even if they do not have a faculty member on their campus who is interested in advising a delegation. The Institute for European Union Studies publishes a training manual each year, offers virtual trainings by faculty who are EU scholars (recordings will be available), and the faculty & student organizers will assist delegations with any questions they may have.
Q: Do students need to attend a SUNY campus to participate in SUNYMEU?
A: Not at all! Students participate from colleges and universities throughout New York State, campuses in other U.S. states, Canada, and Europe.
Q: Is there a minimum or maximum number of students permitted to participate from a campus?
A: There is no maximum or minimum number. Member state delegations are comprised of three alter egos (roles): Head of government, foreign affairs minister, and finance minister. Alter egos open in member states, the Commission, or the Press Corps. We will accommodate even one student - we often place students together in member state delegations from other campuses. Students use various social media platforms to communicate such as Snapchat and What's App as well as virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom and MSTeams.
Q: Can graduate students participate?
A: Yes, many graduate students have participated by taking roles on delegations. Furthermore, several doctoral students have served as graduate student advisers who are teaching assistants, teach courses at their home campuses, or adjunct teach at other campuses.
PREPARING FOR SUNYMEU
Q: How do I begin to prepare for SUNYMEU?
A: The IEUSS publishes an annual guide. It's nickname is "The Blue Book."
IEUSS Guide to the SUNY Model European Union (2025 Edition) available in January 2025
Previous editions available here.
AGENDA ITEMS PROPOSED & DISCUSSED
Q: Is it true the EU member state delegations and the European Commission have an opportunity to propose agenda items?
A: Yes, SUNYMEU is highly participatory both before and during the simulation. Delegations are encouraged to submit proposals (due date March 10, 2024). The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Council President, the High Rep, and the Commission President (the intercollegiate student leadership team) review the proposals, selecting three proposals to be used as the basis of the SUNYMEU agenda. (The Council Presidency collects and packages the proposals for the student leadership team.)
Students can win awards for proposals. At the end of SUNYMEU, students vote for first (outstanding), second (distinguished), and third (superior) place for most effective delegation and best agenda item. There are also awards for most effective head of government, most effective foreign minister, most effective finance minister, and most effective permanent representative.
FACULTY
Q: I am a faculty member and would like to learn more about SUNYMEU.
A: Please contact the IEUSS Director, Dr. Laurie Buonanno or IEUSS Chair, Dr. Greg Rabb.
Q: What's the role of faculty who attend SUNYMEU?
A: While students are not required to be accompanied by faculty, the IEUSS offers research panels/workshops/talks during SUNYMEU that may be of interest to some faculty. This annual conference provides an opportunity for faculty to present their research and network with other teacher-scholars of the EU.
Another faculty-only event will be held on Saturday evening (dinner in the City of Buffalo).
Faculty are also encouraged to volunteer to serve as expert witnesses. The expert witness panel typically consists of four faculty who answer questions by participants about the agenda items in a session scheduled on Friday.
Q: Do faculty pay a registration fee?
A: For faculty who accompany students or are observing to learn more about SUNYMEU, no registration fee is collected. Faculty register for SUNYMEU, but when they note "faculty," SUNYMEU organizers will confirm their registration and will not email a conference registration bill.
COSTS
Q: What is the registration fee for participating in SUNYMEU 2024?
A: $125/student. NO DELEGATION FEE. This registration fee covers the opening reception (Friday evening), two continential breakfasts (Saturday and Sunday), two lunches (Saturday and Sunday), two coffee breaks (Saturday and Sunday), conference materials.
Q: Do conference fees go toward salaries or stipends?
A: ABSOLUTELY NOT! Student and faculty organizers are volunteers - no salaries or wages are drawn from the registration fees. Fees cover meals/refreshments and, conference materials.
Q: Is there a registration deadline?
A: Yes, March 1, 2025 after which we can't guarantee that we can continue to hold alter ego assignments.
Q: Refunds?
A: We're sorry, but if you cancel after March 15, 2025 we can't issue a refund because we have paid for meals and conference materials.
Q: How do I pay?
A: If you are a student participant, please let us know how you would like to be billed on the registration form. Students and/or delegations will be able to pay via check, purchase order, MC, or VISA.
(Faculty advisers, IEUSS conference/workshop participants, and observers do not pay a registration fee.)
The form is pre-set for $125, but that amount can be changed by the person entering the payment information.
Questions about payment? TBA
Payment by Debit or Credit Card
If the button does not work, here is the direct URL for credit/debit payment: https://quikpayasp.com/buffalostate/commerce_manager/payer.do?orderType=...
Q: Is lodging included in the registration?
A: No, lodging is separate. TBA
TRANSPORTATION
Q: How do I get to SUNY Buffalo State University?
A: Transportation information.
REGISTRATION
Q: How do I register for SUNYMEU?
A: We collect registration information on Google Forms. TBA
SUNYMEU Registration Form
Q: What is the due date for SUNYMEU registration?
A: Please register by March 1, 2025 to ensure we have an accurate count for caterers and conference materials.
Q: Is SUNYMEU 2025 an in-person event?
A: Yes.
Q: Is proof of COVID-19 vaccination required?
A: No. SUNY no longer requires vaccination proof for COVID-19.
AWARDS & CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION
Q: Are there are awards associated with SUNYMEU participation?
A: SUNYMEU participants vote electronically for awards at lunchtime on the last day of SUNYMEU.
Q: I need a certificate of completion - do you provide these?
A: Yes, at the closing ceremony each student receives a SUNYMEU Certificate of Completion from the Institute for European Union Studies at SUNY.
ABOUT SUNY Buffalo State.
Q: Where is the campus located?
A: In the heart of the City of Buffalo's museum district and Elmwood Village. Explore.
