Syracuse University Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw approves affiliation with the Worker Rights Consortium

Syracuse University Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw approves affiliation with the Worker Rights ConsortiumMarch 27, 2001Kevin Morrowkdmorrow@syr.edu

Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw stated March 27 that he agrees with the recommendation of Syracuse University’s Trademark Licensing Advisory Board that the University become the newest-and 76th-member of the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC).

Shaw has instructed that all necessary arrangements be made for SU membership. He formalized the relationship with a letter of affiliation to WRC Executive Director Scott Nova, sent March 27.

“The effort to improve factory conditions has been under way for quite some time and will require much more work,” Shaw said. “This is a global and complex issue that will take continuous study and commitment of all parties. It will require collaboration among universities and colleges, licensees, labor and human rights organizations, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Worker Rights Consortium.

“The University has been a member of the FLA and more recently the Collegiate Living Wage Association,” he said. “Affiliation with the WRC is further testament of Syracuse University’s commitment to ensuring that SU licensed items are produced under fair working conditions.”

The University’s Trademark Licensing Advisory Board-a committee of faculty, staff and students-in Fall 1999 began reviewing the possibility of SU becoming associated with the WRC. The Board’s work on the issue has included hosting campus visits by the WRC’s Nova, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Rutt Tufts (representing both the WRC and the FLA), and Princeton University’s Bob Durkee (representing the FLA).

By virtue of a unanimous vote March 23, the Board recommended to the Chancellor that SU affiliate with the WRC.

“I’d like to thank chairman Peter Webber and the Board for their diligence in exploring membership in the WRC, among their many other responsibilities,” Shaw said.

In addition to Webber, director of Auxiliary Services at SU, Board members include Mary Demetrick, Office of Publications; Betsy English, Bookstores and Trademark Licensing; Douglas Freeman, Purchasing Office; student representative Jamal James; Marshall Matlock, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications; Marguerite Mazzye, Purchasing Office; and David Pajak, Office of Risk Management.

Other members are Maureen Riedel, Trademark Licensing; student representative Curtis Rumrill; Cristina Swift, Office of Alumni Relations; Michael Theiss, Carrier Dome Concessions; Michael Veley, Department of Athletics; and Gale Youmell, SU Bookstore.