UA COMMITTEE ON FAIR LABOR AND UNIVERSITY LICENSING RECOMMENDS SIGNING CLC CODE OF CONDUCT WITH ADDENDUM

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- After five months of study and discussion, the University of Arkansas’ Committee on Fair Labor and University Licensing has recommended to the UA executive committee that the University sign the Collegiate Licensing Company’s Code of Conduct-with an addendum for licensees that addresses women’s rights, environmental protection, and public disclosure.

"From a committee of students, faculty, staff and administrators representing many diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we forged a broad consensus about what we believe to be the best course of action for the University at this time," said Bev Lewis. "During our final two meetings this month, the committee voted overwhelmingly to recommend signing the CLC code of conduct with the addendum."

The committee was established on July 30, 1999, by Chancellor John A. White, who asked Lewis to chair the group and to appoint its members. He noted that the

University of Arkansas "should be a leader in the national effort to ensure that products bearing an institution’s marks are produced in working conditions that are safe, healthy and fair to workers."

White asked the committee to examine various proposals pending with the University for addressing these issues and to draft recommendations for consideration by the executive committee by Jan. 30. The executive committee consists of the UA’s five vice chancellors and the executive assistant to the chancellor.

To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest because of his service on the Russell Corporation board of directors, White removed himself from making the final decision. Instead, that decision will be made by Dan Bennett, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs, based on the executive committee’s final recommendations.

The UA Committee on Fair Labor and University Licensing sponsored a public hearing on Oct. 6 to solicit input on the matter from the University community. On average, the committee met every two weeks to hear presenters on the intricacies of the apparel industry and licensing issues, and to analyze, discuss, and debate various proposed codes of conduct and the larger national and international dynamics framing these proposals.

Specifically, committee members analyzed-word for word, paragraph by paragraph-three proposed codes: those of the Collegiate Licensing Company, the Fair Labor Association, and the Workers Rights Consortium developed by the United Students Against Sweatshops.

The Collegiate Licensing Company code of conduct has been developed over the past three years to govern workplace conditions and workers’ rights as they pertain to the manufacture of products bearing the institutions’ trademarked names and logos. The CLC consortium handles licensing agreements for the Bowl Championship Series, 10 bowl games, seven conferences, and nearly 200 colleges and universities.

To strengthen the CLC code, the UA committee recommended that UA licensees also sign an addendum that specifically addresses women’s rights, environmental protection, and public disclosure.