Wednesday. May 5. 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 3
KU joins anti-sweatshop campaign
By Nadie Mustafa
nmustafa@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The University of Kansas has joined about 20 universities around the nation in a formal effort aimed at preventing sweatshop labor in the manufacturing of collegiate products.
Last week, Chancellor Robert Hemenway signed the American Council on Education's anti-sweat-shop code, which requires the University to enter into trademark licensing agreements with caution, avoiding companies that tolerate unfair labor practices in the manufacturing of products such as collegiate apparel, gift items and athletic uniforms.
"It's an important issue and one that is fairly easy to understand," Hemenway said. "Everyone wants to make sure they're not associated with apparel and shoe manufacturers in circumstances that would be detrimental to workers working in these factories."
The KU Athletic Corporation has an exclusive contract with Nike, which manufactures KU athletic teams' apparel. The University also
has collegiate licensing contracts with hundreds of other companies, which must comply with the code.
The University received $780,000 in revenues from trademark licensing last year, which was distributed to scholarship funds
Hemenway: Signed anti-sweatshop resolution.
The code calls for regular inspections of factories and annual certification of companies' protection of workers' rights. Companies must provide safe and sanitary working conditions and allow freedom of association and collective bargaining. Companies
must not use child labor or require workers to work more than 48 hours a week or 12 hours a day.
D脱ire Backs, former off campus student senator and co-sponsor of the Student Senate resolution that requested that the administration join the anti-sweatshop effort, said she was ecstatic that Heinemway had signed the code. She said she had incorrectly thought it would be difficult to convince the administration.
Kyle Browning, president of the KU chapter of Amnesty International, also said he was surprised that students had not needed to put substantial pressure on the administration.
"I think it's awesome," he said, "expected it to be much tougher. This is really a credit to KU."
Browning said he would try to convince the administration to work toward strengthening the code to require that companies provide a list of all factory sites and pay their workers living wages.
In the past, Nike has been accused of tolerating unfair labor practices in its Asian factories.
Browning said Nike recently had tried to improve working conditions but that much progress still was necessary.
Backs said she hoped Hemenway's action would put pressure on Nike.
Pat Warren, assistant athletics director, said the code would not affect the University's contract with Nike.
"They are certainly on the leading edge of trying to improve labor practices," he said. "You can't find products made under any better conditions."
"The more and more schools that sign on, the heavier the message is for Nike that they cannot keep getting away with it," Backs said. "But it does not stop once a piece of paper is signed."
Nike's director of global issues management, Vada Manager, said Nike complied with the code and that the company had some of the best manufacturing facilities in the industry. He said Nike had agreed to release information about its factories.
—Edited by Jon Campbell
Study measures allergies to piercings
Piercings have become ubiquitous in popular modern culture. From tongue piercings to belly buttons and beyond, any body part is fair game for piercing.
By T. L. Johnson
By T.J. Johnson
tjohnson@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Some risks remain with the practice, however, from the chance of infection or allergic reaction to the social stigma sometimes associated with body art.
Allison Ehrlich, a dermatology resident at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is studying the effect of body piercings on the development of allergies to metal.
For her study, "Metal Allergies — The Role of Body Piercing," Ehrlich observed about 20 students last week at Watkins Memorial Health Center. For the test, students were paid $20 to wear a patch on their upper arm for one week and come back for observations. As part of the bargain, participants also had to agree to keep the patch dry for one week.
Allergic reactions to gold, nickel, palladium and cobalt were tested, according to Ehrlich.
Alex Kaufman, McPherson freshman, has both of his nipples pierced. Kaufman said he has suffered several infections in the pierced regions. Photo by Matt J. Nipsherly/KANSAN
She said that some of the participants had experienced reactions to the tests but that she needed to test more people to evaluate her data and see whether people with single or multiple body piercings were more likely to develop metal allergies.
"Basically, I'm looking to see if there is an increase in metal allergy in people who have metal body piercings versus people who don't." Ehrlich said.
Metal allergies are not just confined to the area that is pierced or touching metal,
Ehrlich said. The symptoms also can be caused by simply touching metal. Objects such as belt buckles and shoelace eyelets can snark a reaction, she said.
Beyond the risks of metal allergies, Ehrlich said people who get piercings must make sure they are being pierced with sterile instruments to reduce the risk of infections or disease. She said infections such as hepatitis can be spread through unsanitary piercing techniques.
Cody Walters, Onaga sophomore, said his tongue became infected after he had it pierced earlier this semester.
"The first week or week and a half after I got it, my tongue swelled up pretty bad, and it was hard to eat." Walters said.
He said that after taking antibiotics and taking care of the piercing, his infection cleared up.
Ehrlich said her study would continue until she met a goal of about 150 participants. So far, she has had about 60 people participate. She said she would consider returning to Watkins for the study but only if a group of about 20 students expressed interest in participating. She can be reached at the Med Center at (913) 588-6028.
Send resume to 2044 SW Fillmore, Topeka,KS 66604. EOE
- Edited by Clint Hooker
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The Office of Minority Affairs 23rd Annual Minority Graduation Banquet
Saturday, May 22, 1999 in the Kansas Union Ballroom from 6:00 - 8:00p.m.
(a 5:00 p.m. recognition will precede the banquet in the Malott Room)
Graduating minority students are free,
additional ticket(s) are $12.50 per person.
Please pick up tickets in the Office of Minority Affairs (OMA)
or for more information contact the OMA at 864-4351.
Orchard Corners Apartments Featuring...
- 2BR w/ 2 BTH, 3 BR w/ 2 BTH
- 4 BR w/ 2 BTH
- Central A/C
- Gas Heat & Water
- Fully Applianced Kitchen including microwaves
- Private Patios & Balconies
- Friendly on site manager
- Laundry Facilities on site
- Swimming Pool
Production In association with the students of KU
Now Showing
Monday-Friday 9-5 p.m.
Saturday 10-4 p.m.
Sunday 1-4 p.m.
15th & Kasold · 749-4226
Featuring...
- 2BR w/ 1 BTH, 3 BR w/ 11/2 B
4 BR w/ 2 BTH, STUDIO ,1BR
- Central A/C
- Gas Heat & Water
- Fully Applianced Kitchen including microwaves
- Private Patios & Balconies
- Swimming Pool
- Laundry Facilities on site
- Friendly on site manager
In association with the students of KU
Now Showing
Monday-Friday 9-5 p.m.; Saturday 10-4 p.m.; Sunday 1-4 p.m.
841-5255
SUA HOUSE