re Friday. October 17, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A - Page 7
Greeks have a mom away from home The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Fied Center Concert Series
By Sarah McWilliams
smcwilliams @kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Lillian Barker has 84 sons.
But they're not all the same sons as those she had last year. In fact, she has had a different set of sons every year dating back to 1985, when she retired from Pacific Power and Light in Valley Springs.
She tried the retired life for a while, she said, but with her four children grown and gone, she was feeling restless.
Then she saw an ad in her hometown newspaper.
"It said '75 men looking for a mom," Barker said. "I thought that sounded unique, so I called and applied."
After three interviews, Barker got the job and has been a house director at the KU chapter of Delta Chi fraternity ever since.
Barbara Reid has been the housemother at Sigma Alpha Epsilon for five years. Her "sons" Brett McCellan, Overland Park freshman, Matt Smith, Lenexa freshman, and Brian Currey, Chicago sophomore, are new members of the house. Eric B. Howell/KANSAN
Barker is one of 33 house directors, affectionately called "house moms," for fraternities and sororities at the University of Kansas.
House directors describe themselves as part guest coordinators, part food service directors and part rule makers. But mostly, they are substitute parents.
"One of my own sons told me that I thought more of the Delta Chi men than of my kids," Barker said. "I said, 'No, it's just because they're here all the time.'"
When parents and alumni come to visit, Barker is there to greet them. But her main enjoyment comes from taking care of the fraternity members.
"I love them all, and I respect them all," she said.
While being a counselor is important, Shirley Vaughn, house director at Delta Upsilon for 13 years, said her most important role was to set behavior rules for the 84 men who live in the house.
Some of the rules include no swearing and getting along with other members of the house.
"They need someone to help guide them and be there for them," Vaughn said. "Especially the freshmen."
Nick Moreau, Baldwin freshman and Delta Upsilon pledge, agreed.
Andy Fray, Overland Park freshman and Delta Upsilon pledge, said the best part about having Vaughn around was having someone to talk to if he had a problem.
She said she lent an ear to those who came to her with personal problems, and she attends events that members participate in to show support in their parents' absence.
"She'll keep us in line and let us know if we've messed up," he said, "But she does it in a motherly way. She's not strict."
Barker and Vaughn agree that being in a house full of young men
heins keen them feeling young.
Barbara Reid has been house director at Sigma Alpha Epsilon for the past four years and was at Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority for two years before that.
She enjoyed being a director for the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma, she said, but she also liked the change to directing a fraternity.
"If there was a prize for organization, the women would win," Reid said. "But the easy-going way at the fraternity is kind of nice."
Keid organizes the house, keeps tabs on the bills and, of course, listens to all of her "sons."
"They know I'm here if they need me," she said.
"Mr. Chairman, we agree with your decision as printed in the 1997 Annual Report which reads, NIKE has taken some time to look how far you have come and how far we have to go. Concerned shareholders thank you for the positive steps taken by the company to address fair labor practices."
Excerpted statement by Vidette Bullock Mixon on behalf of the national United Methodist Church and a consortium of socially responsible NIKE shareholders upon withdrawing a resolution at the NIKE Annual Shareholders Meeting, September, 1997
"Tae Kwang Vina Company, subcontractor for NIKE, has signed a watershed collective labour contract with a factory trade union. The labour contract has been hailed as a vital move in improving employee-employer relations at factories where NIKE has no technical legal ownership or direct control of the management."
Vietnam Investment Review, July 7-13, 1997
"Thanks to God,it's enough money for me," said a teacher's daughter who has been working for three years.She is 23 and comes from central Java [Indonesia] and helps to care for her two siblings.She said she is able to save about three quarters of her income,which she sends back to the family."
US Industry Overseas: Sweatshop or Job Source? Indonesians praise work at Shoe Factory, Washington Post, July 1996
"I sincerely believe NIKE is doing a good job, but it can and should do better."
Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young's Report on the NIKE Code Of Conduct.
Over 500,000 good jobs across the globe. Superior wages. Landmark union collective bargaining agreements. Dignity and respect for workers. And of course, the finest athletic shoes and apparel manufactured in the world.
So the next time someone tries to convince you that NIKE isn't leading the way think about the above statements. Then ask them if they are aware of any other company doing more to advance developing economies and protect workers. Or better yet, encourage them to get more information by surfing our Internet site.
www.nikeworkers.com
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