Richard L. Byyny, chancellor of the University of Colorado at Boulder, today outlined a series of actions he intends to take in response to an ad hoc committee聮s recommendations on the manufacture of collegiate apparel.
The actions include an incentive plan that will provide a 10 percent rebate on royalties paid as part of university contracts for licensed goods. The rebate will reward companies that are in compliance with the code of conduct recommended by the committee.
"We are committed to revising our licensing policies to be sensitive to the human rights issues that the students, to their credit, have highlighted," Byyny said. "While penalties provide a policing mechanism, I believe incentives are a way to encourage economic progress." He said promoting best practices in human rights can be achieved by putting an emphasis on recognizing those who are doing things right as well as penalizing those who are not.
The committee was appointed to review the campus licensing policy and offer recommended changes to ensure that licensed apparel carrying the CU name not be manufactured in foreign-nation "sweatshops." Manufacturers of collegiate goods must be authorized by the university before they can put CU logos on sweatshirts, t-shirts, and other products.
Byyny said he reviewed the recommendations and forwarded the document, along with the concept of the 10 percent rebate plan, to the CU-Boulder Office of University Counsel for a legal review, and to Vice Chancellor for Administration Paul Tabolt for an administrative review. The Office of Licensing Programs is under the jurisdiction of the Vice Chancellor for Administration. Internal review is standard practice in the process for policy change on campus.
In addition to requesting the inclusion of the incentive plan, Byyny:
* Directed Tabolt to be sure the revisions to the licensing policy incorporate employment standards including humane and fair treatment of employees; limitations on required hours of work; limitations on child labor; prohibition of forced labor; a safe and healthy work environment; protection for women; nondiscrimination; and prohibition of harassment of employees. All legal and ethical principles must also be incorporated, as well as standards related to quality, reliability and cost.
* Said membership in the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) would be reconsidered on the campus policy-making agenda in one year after the fledgling organization has developed a business plan and a proven mechanism for monitoring licensees for compliance with standards.
* Confirmed that during the one year, the CU Committee on Licensing would be formed and have responsibility for ensuring that licensees adhere to the employment standards in the campus policy. The committee would also make decisions about incentive discounts to licensees who demonstrate adherence to the Code of Conduct advocated by the students.
These judgments would be made using the public information available from the WRC and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) membership held by the University of Colorado at Denver.
* Approved sending the Director of the Office of Licensing Programs to a meeting of the Workers Rights Consortium to continue to gather information and follow the progress of the organization.
"We are right on track with regard to making revisions in our campus licensing policy," the chancellor said. "We will be actively involved in national higher education evaluation of this issue and its solutions, and we will work hard to remain committed to doing the right thing with regard to our campus policies."