From the University of Wisconsin student government
Statement by UW-Madison Chancellor David Ward
February 4, 1999

Because we license collegiate clothing, this university is committed to seeking changes in the apparel industry. These must include an end to the degrading use of "sweatshop" labor, and progress toward meaningful, verifiable improvements.

I am unalterably opposed to any workplace condition that, through coercion and abuse, represents a higher regard for production than on it does for human values.

This fall, I committed resources of the UW-Madison to participate in a task force of university and college representatives that has completed a draft code of conduct for apparel companies. We have held two well-attended and productive public hearings that re-enforced our belief that the university should use its influence to improve apparel industry practices. Task force members from around the country will reconvene within the next couple of weeks to review public input from each institution and evaluate suggested changes.

The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) Code of Conduct, or any similar effort, will succeed only if it is enforceable through international monitoring. To that end, I believe that public knowledge regarding the locations of all manufacturing and assembly sites is crucial to the most effective monitoring program possible.

My intention is to endorse the current draft of the CLC Code of Conduct, but I recognize that it contains provisions that require further work. UW-Madison will continue working with the CLC and other members of the task force to:

• integrate a full public disclosure provision into the CLC Code of Conduct, and to ensure that such a provision remains viable under any collateral agreement reached regarding monitoring and enforcement.

• develop an effective international monitoring and enforcement program including on-going discussions with representatives of the Fair Labor Association, government officials, and other colleges and universities not aligned with the CLC.

The UW-Madison expects progress to continue toward inclusion of a full disclosure provision in the CLC Code. If such progress does not occur, or if a full disclosure policy is not included in the code within one year of the its formal adoption and application to UW-Madison licensees, the UW-Madison will withdraw its participation in the code.

In the event that the UW-Madison withdraws, the university will work with other institutions, the CLC and other interested organizations to devise an alternative approach to enforcing humane work place standards.

We must ensure that whatever action we take has the maximum, lasting effect to reduce abuses common to this industry and contains the greatest potential for continued positive change. Our participation and our expectations for continued progress puts us closer to this goal.

Associated Students of Madison (ASM)

Jason Fizell, Research Director
511 Memorial Union
800 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706