Your Outie is Calling: Severance, Present Day
Topic Summary
The Severance Crisis Committee will follow an imagined continuation of Severance’s plot. During a period of instability following Season 2, Lumon is working harder than ever to increase productivity while managing public perception and curbing internal disobedience. To develop and implement a series of new protocols, the Lumon Board has called for an emergency lockdown, which will last for the duration of the conference. Under the lockdown, all employees—severed innies and management alike—will be confined to the workplace with restricted outside contact.
Luckily, the innies have discovered a secret way to send messages to outsiders, and management has decided to adopt the same practice rather than report it. Crisis notes to the backroom will serve as this private channel through which delegates can further their agendas with outside assistance.
As Lumon intensifies its efforts to perfect severance technology, prevent rebellion, and test human emotional boundaries, the Board is preparing to further divide the innies’ consciousnesses in a similar manner to its fragmentation of Gemma’s mind. Meanwhile, the Whole Mind Collective has breached Lumon’s security, tampering with the Macrodata Refinement files. Recent hacks have given the innies an awareness of influential global figures, enterprises, and current events.
While Lumon responds to outside threats and internal conflict with controlling, duplicitous schemes, delegates will be responsible for ensuring their interests aren’t overlooked. By passing effective directives, they can collaborate to take action independently of the Board and shape the future of Lumon as well as their roles within the company.
Dear Delegates,
My name is Caitlin Riordan, and I’m so excited to be directing the Severance Crisis Committee. I’m currently a sophomore at Harvard College studying English and Environmental Science & Public Policy. In my free time, I love painting, baking, and running. I’m a former sprinter turned half-marathoner, which means I’m always one quarter-life crisis away from attempting a full marathon. When I’m not vertical, I love watching shows and movies. Severance, Gilmore Girls, Game of Thrones, Almost Famous, Get Out, Hereditary, and Charlie's Angels will always have a home on my projector screen.
Sci-fi and horror are among my favorite genres because they prompt us to imagine alternative realities that reflect flaws in our modern society. This past summer, I worked for one of the executive producers of Severance, which was a really fun way to explore the entertainment industry. I encourage you all to binge Season 3 when it’s released.
In our committee, I hope to make your experience as engaging and immersive as possible. I’ve been participating in HMUN since high school, so I’ve now been on both sides of the gavel. My goal is to push the bounds of your creativity through crises that force you to confront philosophical dilemmas. I’m excited to see how you all respond to the chaos Lumon will soon face and collaborate to preserve or facilitate the futures you imagine for your characters.
At the beginning of the conference, I’ll go over crisis protocol for any delegates who are new to MUN or this style of committee. I hope to create a comfortable and fun environment for all delegates, regardless of experience level. So please don’t hesitate to ask for clarification at any point if needed. I look forward to meeting you all this January.
Best,
Caitlin
Director, Severance
severance@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027
Dear Delegates,
I'm so glad that you have decided to participate in HMUN and found your way into my committee. HMUN is an amazing opportunity to build your public speaking skills, make friends from across the country, and have a lot of fun.
I'm excited to meet you this upcoming year. As a sophomore at the College, I am currently studying Economics and Mathematics, and I'm particularly interested in clean energy and carbon taxation policy. I'm originally from Madison, Wisconsin, where I love swimming in the lakes, playing tennis, and spending time with my family. This is my first time staffing a HMUN committee, but I am a member of the intercollegiate Model UN team at Harvard. I'm also involved in the Political Opinion Project, where we run a nationwide poll of young people, the Harvard Undergraduate Clean Energy Group, and the Program on Environmental Politics. I'd love to talk about any of my involvements further if you are interested!
In this committee, I will be serving as crisis director, so I cannot wait to read all of your arcs and ideas about Severance. The show leaves ample opportunity for creativity, and I hope you take full advantage. I will try to break a wide array of interesting crises, and I encourage you to think outside of the box. While I don't think watching the show before committee is a necessity, it would be good to have a general understanding beforehand - make sure you read a synopsis and the background guide.
I hope the school year is treating you well and that you are enjoying your year. Safe travels to Boston, and see you there!
Grant Shadman
Crisis Director, Severance
severance@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027
