Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

EDITORIAL: A laudable endeavor
Staff Editorial
The Chronicle (Duke)
02/17/2006

(U-WIRE) DURHAM, N.C. — University officials announced Monday that from here on out, factories producing apparel bearing the Duke brand name will be governed according to a new policy with workers' rights in mind.

Executive Vice President Tallman Trask-who negotiated the agreement along with John Burness, senior vice president for public and government relations, Jim Wilkerson, director of trademark licensing and stores operations, and members of Duke's chapter of Students Against Sweatshops-said the new policy "will require that 25 percent of the production of Duke logo apparel be moved to a smaller number of designated factories? which can more easily be monitored." In addition, the policy "will allow workers the right to determine for themselves whether or not they wish to bargain collectively through a union." Further, the policy will effectively guarantee its workers the right to a livable wage.

Duke is the first university in the United States to codify regulations of this nature, and that is no coincidence considering the fact that officials accomplished a similar feat in 1999, when they were the first to enact a code of conduct that toughened apparel manufacturing standards that existed at that time.

The code of conduct also involved Duke's chapter of Students Against Sweatshops.

All parties involved in this process are to be commended. Members of SAS have shown dedication, vigor and persistence on this issue, and their success should serve as a reminder to us all that when it comes to effecting change on an institution or policy we really care about, the sky is the limit as long as we give it our best shot.

Further, this development proves that University officials are bona fide trendsetters. Combined with the unprecedented agreement that was reached in 1999, the new policy demonstrates a commitment on the part of our administrators to responsible business practices in the apparel manufacturing industry.

It is also important to remember that the University has bills to pay. And its worldwide reputation as an esteemed institution of higher learning would be non-existent without adequate revenue. With these factors in mind, it is quite impressive that administrators have chosen the high road, because livable wages, the option to unionize and more monitoring of standards will not be fattening the University's profits on apparel manufacturing. This policy sets an example to students of the University, who will be the leaders of tomorrow, and also to other American universities, because it shows that it is indeed possible to make money and be responsible at the same time.

This decision also comes at a time when local activists are campaigning for the adoption of a living wage throughout the area.

Although Duke is not exactly in tune with the aspirations of these activists, the new apparel policy shows that administrators at least understand the virtues behind such a plan of action.

Duke is an institution with a highly recognizable brand name that reaches countless numbers of people outside of the Duke community.

The University therefore has a responsibility to ensure that it runs an apparel manufacturing enterprise of impeccable integrity.

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