The university agreed to a tougher code of conduct for the manufacture of clothing that bears the university's name, including requiring companies to make a "full disclosure" about where their products were produced and the working conditions in those factories. Wisconsin administrators also agreed to include provisions on wages and women's rights. If the changes are not made to the code within one year, Wisconsin will withdraw from participation in the code.
Wisconsin was one of 14 institutions that worked with the Collegiate Licensing Company to draft a proposed "Code of Conduct" last year for the licensing of college apparel. The C.L.C. serves as the licensing agent for the logos of more than 160 colleges.
Students on several campuses have said, however, that the proposed code of conduct does not guarantee that college hats and T-shirts are not made under "sweatshop" conditions. They called on administrators to toughen their stance or withdraw their support of the Code of Conduct.
"We were looking for a firm commitment from the university on both living wages and women's rights -- and that's what we got," said Samantha West, a senior and member of the "Bascom Hall Anti-Sweatshop Occupation." Students involved with the protest said they hoped other colleges would follow suit.
Although Chancellor David Ward had said earlier that he would refuse to sign any deal proposed by the protesters, he and other administrators unexpectedly met with the 120 or so students Friday afternoon.
Wisconsin is the third university this month to accept demands from students to toughen their stance on the code of conduct. Georgetown and Duke Universities had both agreed to similar measures following student sit-ins.
Wisconsin's agreement calls for the code to ban the practice of forcing female workers to take birth-control medication and pregnancy tests. The university also agreed to support research on the issue of living wages in developing nations.
Background stories from The Chronicle:
- "Sit-In Ends in Agreement at Georgetown; U. of Wisconsin Students Join Anti-Sweatshop Movement," 2/10/99
- "Students Occupy Georgetown President's Office to Demand Tougher Line on Sweatshops," 2/8/99
- "Duke Agrees to Student Demands on Code of Conduct for Clothing Manufacturers," 2/12/99
- "Developing Codes of Conduct for Manufacturers of College Apparel," 11/13/98
- "Notre Dame Adopts Code Banning Merchandise Made in Sweatshops," 5/30/97
Copyright © 1999 by The Chronicle of Higher Education