Thursday, April 8, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Senate passes anti-sweatshop code
Resolution requires companies to comply with labor regulations
By Nadia Mustafa
nmustafa@kansan.com
Kansan writer
The administration soon will review a resolution passed by Student Senate last night urging the University of Kansas to sign an anti-sweatship code.
The code would require the University to enter into corporate contracts with caution, avoiding companies that tolerated sweatshop labor in the manufacturing of collegiate products such as hats, sweatshirts, mugs and miniature basketballs.
Senate acclimated the resolution last
night, an action that represented a unanimous show of support.
The University of Kansas Athletic Corporation has an exclusive contract with Nike, which manufactures KU athletic teams' apparel.
Kyle Browning, president of the KU chapter of Amnesty International, said that Nike recently had attempted to improve working conditions but that much progress was still necessary.
Pat Warren, assistant athletics director, said that the corporation's goal was to provide the best apparel and equipment for its athletes.
"As far as we know from Nike and other sources, you can't buy any apparel or shoes made under any better conditions than what Nike is doing," he said.
Thirty senators sponsored the resolution, which called for regular inspections of factories and for companies to be annually certified on protection of workers' rights.
Tom Hutton, director of University Relations, said that the University was exploring the option of coordinating with other institutions to develop a code of conduct.
Companies also must provide safe and sanitary working conditions, not use child labor or require workers to work more than 48 hours per week or 12 hours per day and allow freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Nike's director of global issues management, Vada Manager, said that Nike complied with the Council's code, and that the company had some of the best manufacturer-
The University received $780,000 in revenues from trademark licensing last year, which was distributed to scholarship funds.
If the University signs the code, it would require Nike and other companies that manufacture KU products to comply with the regulations. In addition, the resolution requests that the administration work to strengthen the code by requiring companies to provide public releases of factory sites and workers' living wages.
In other business, Senate passed legislation last night that would accomplish the following:
STUDENT SENATE
- Include a Daisy Hill resident in the membership of the transportation board.
Rename 820 McCollum Hall the Joshua L. Burdette Suite
In a March 10 letter to Chancellor Robert Hemenway, Philip Knight, Nike's chief executive officer, said that Nike was fully supportive of incorporating codes of conduct into its collegiate licensing agreements.
Support Joe's Bakery, 616 W. Ninth St., and encourage the business to reopen soon.
Finance KU Students Against Drunk Driving, the KU Ballroom Dancing Club, the KU Campus Internet Association, the Center for Community Outreach, Queens and Allies and the KU Cultural India Club.
Senate failed a bill that would have created a state and local affairs standing committee to assist the Student Legislative Awareness Board.
ing facilities in the industry. He said that Nike had agreed to release information about factories, and that the company would endorse Senate's resolution.
"We are seeking the development of a code that balances the needs of schools with the realities of the business world — in other words, a code that makes sense and is enforceable," Knight wrote.
— Edited by Melody Ard
9:00 PM April 9th, 1999 Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union
Last Temptation of Christ One of the most Censored movies of the Decade Directed by Martin Scorcese
STUDENT
SENATE
Free Admission
ACLU
touring
KU Jewish Students
SUA
the jerusalem fellowships
adventure hikes
3514 CLINTON PKWY.
838-9900
Israel
4 Weeks this Summer in
politics
for as low as $299*
Internship for Leaders
*including airfare from NYC
10-Day MBA Leadership Mission
Judaism
Summer Break Program
leadership
www.jerusalemfellowships.org
1-800-FELLOWS
a project of Aish HaTorah and the Robert M. Beren Foundation
We'll save you more than other bookstores
plus 5%
SUMMER SESSION PRE-ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE MAY 31,1999
extra OFF all TEXTBOOKS
Save time & money for Fall '99 PRE-ORDER!!!
Books are packaged and waiting for you before classes start. Save time hunting for books and standing in lines. Pre-order customers receive first "shot" at all used books in stock, with up to 30% off new prices. *When you pre-order before August 5, 1999 from the JAYHAWK BOOKSTORE, you will automatically receive a 5% discount on your total order. Just pick up your order before classes begin for the extra discount. No minimum order, no hassles - no kidding!
Please indicate semester this is for: Fall Spring Summer
Dept/Course # Instructor or Staff (Please note if Lab or Discussion Group) Line # IMPORTANT Time / Days Preference New Used
ENG 203 Kielman (example) 82345 8:30 M W F X
| | | | | | |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Your Books Will Be Ready 3 Days Before Classes Begin
Name ___
KU Address:
City State Zip
Home Address
City State Zip
KU Phone Home Phone
*The Fine Print!
*Books not picked up by the 2nd day of classes will be returned to stock.
*Some books may not be available prior to the start of classes.
*All books are returnable, with receipt, through the 2nd week of class.
*All NEW books must be supplied as new to quality for full refund.
*To qualify for discount, orders must be received by August 5, '99.
*Discount applicable to books available at time of order packaging and no further discounts or promotions apply.
"The Pre-order Professionals Since 1978"Mail, fax or e-mail to:
Jayhawk Bookstore
Your Book Professionals at the top of Naismith Hill
1420 Crescent Road *Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 843-3826 * FAX: (785) 843-9578
www.jayhawkbookstore.com