Timing is everything
SAW should've concentrated efforts on new chancellor
By: Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Opinion
A representative democracy that embodies the will of its constituents cannot function properly without people who voice their criticism of government.
Members of Student Action with Workers had every right to stage a sit-in at South Building outside Chancellor James Moeser's office Thursday.
The demonstration protested the chancellor's refusal to sign on to the Designated Suppliers Program, an anti-sweatshop policy that only lets universities license their logos to companies which pay their employees living wages.
However, it is regrettable that the students chose to voice their opinion - that UNC shouldn't license its logo to sweatshops - in such a misguided fashion by making unreasonable demands to Moeser during his last days in office.
Moeser declined signing onto the DSP in 2007 because of concerns of how it would operate and whether it would be effective.
He also met with students Wednesday to discuss the issue and said that UNC is working with other universities to develop enhanced monitoring for smaller merchandise suppliers.
Moeser acted wisely by not adopting the policy before giving careful consideration to its efficacy. Obviously, what seems like a great idea could have unforeseen implications and end up hurting people more than it helps. That seems to be the case with the DSP.
One of the provisions of the program is that member schools only license their logos to factories at which employees have collective bargaining rights.
This means the DSP could have devastating consequences in countries such as Bangladesh, where workers aren't allowed to unionize and the textile industry is a mainstay of the economy.
Plus, by keeping production in these factories, the University has more pull in improving working conditions without pulling money out of poor, developing areas that need it.
While Moeser's actions suggest that he has been deliberating on the issue and is open to student input, it does not seem rational that SAW would choose to reiterate its demands to the chancellor during his last weeks in office.
We think that if SAW wishes to see their goals actualized, it is best for them to develop a relationship with the new chancellor in which they could begin some dialogue about the best way to go about incorporating fair labor practices into UNC's licensing policies.
After all, the new chancellor is going to be around long enough to develop and sustain a positive interaction with, whereas Moeser is on his way out and has a limited amount of time and energy to devote to their demands.
Until a chancellor behaves otherwise, SAW should assume that he or she will not be antagonistic toward student voices on campus.
Taking a cooperative, rather than confrontational, approach will yield the best results when SAW continues to articulate its demands next year.
Members of Student Action with Workers had every right to stage a sit-in at South Building outside Chancellor James Moeser's office Thursday.
The demonstration protested the chancellor's refusal to sign on to the Designated Suppliers Program, an anti-sweatshop policy that only lets universities license their logos to companies which pay their employees living wages.
However, it is regrettable that the students chose to voice their opinion - that UNC shouldn't license its logo to sweatshops - in such a misguided fashion by making unreasonable demands to Moeser during his last days in office.
Moeser declined signing onto the DSP in 2007 because of concerns of how it would operate and whether it would be effective.
He also met with students Wednesday to discuss the issue and said that UNC is working with other universities to develop enhanced monitoring for smaller merchandise suppliers.
Moeser acted wisely by not adopting the policy before giving careful consideration to its efficacy. Obviously, what seems like a great idea could have unforeseen implications and end up hurting people more than it helps. That seems to be the case with the DSP.
One of the provisions of the program is that member schools only license their logos to factories at which employees have collective bargaining rights.
This means the DSP could have devastating consequences in countries such as Bangladesh, where workers aren't allowed to unionize and the textile industry is a mainstay of the economy.
Plus, by keeping production in these factories, the University has more pull in improving working conditions without pulling money out of poor, developing areas that need it.
While Moeser's actions suggest that he has been deliberating on the issue and is open to student input, it does not seem rational that SAW would choose to reiterate its demands to the chancellor during his last weeks in office.
We think that if SAW wishes to see their goals actualized, it is best for them to develop a relationship with the new chancellor in which they could begin some dialogue about the best way to go about incorporating fair labor practices into UNC's licensing policies.
After all, the new chancellor is going to be around long enough to develop and sustain a positive interaction with, whereas Moeser is on his way out and has a limited amount of time and energy to devote to their demands.
Until a chancellor behaves otherwise, SAW should assume that he or she will not be antagonistic toward student voices on campus.
Taking a cooperative, rather than confrontational, approach will yield the best results when SAW continues to articulate its demands next year.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Salma Mirza
posted 4/21/08 @ 8:48 AM EST
For the past three years, we have approached Chancellor Moeser. He has had three years to evaluate the efficacy of the program. As always, the DTH editorial board ignores the reality of the actual program in question, despite recurring letters to the editor, despite recurring corrections. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 4/21/08 @ 12:43 PM EST
I was one of the students arrested for a sit-in at the office of the president of the University of Michigan last year. Like UNC, we wanted our school's logo to not be made in sweatshops, and demanded U of M sign on to the DSP. (Continued…)
Phil Ochs
posted 4/21/08 @ 11:29 PM EST
Like our president, the Chancellor has dug himself deep on this one. His advisory committee has been stalling on this for several years, and he seems all too ready to dump this on his successor. (Continued…)
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