No Sweat

As thousands of students caromed across campus, hustling to classes and lunch dates,
about a hundred and fifty gave up their lunch hour to attend a rally sponsored by the Students for Economic and Social Justice, protesting Griz gear purportedly manufactured in sweat shops around the world.

The student group gathered before the Main Hall offices of the University of Montana's president and vice president, offering informational literature and free cookies to attendees.

Rhythmic beats of a conga mingled with the chant "Dennison, Foley: Grizzlies sweat free," but the named men were unable to hear them. Both President Dennison and VP Jim Foley were out-of-town at the time of the rally, a point the students knew in advance, said Foley.

Their absence didn't stop the crowd from pouring like a reverse fire drill up the stairs of Main hall and into the quiet corridors, where the chanting continued before unopened doors.

Speakers at the rally called conditions in the factories where the Griz gear is made "akin to slavery," stating their belief that "what affects someone halfway around the world affects you."

Sean Morrison, an ASUM senator majoring in English Lit spoke eloquently about the university's motto, Lux et veritas, as being a call to action. "How can you be committed to truth and support sweatshops?" he asked. "Ultimately, this is our university, our logo, and our decision," Morrison said.

Sam Schabacker, a senior in economics and SESJ organizer, urged rally goers not to be "apathetic like the administration. We need to keep pressuring them," he said.

Schabacker referred to a recent ASUM resolution and petition signed by 500 students urging the administration to join the Workers Rights Consortium, an agency that monitors working conditions in apparel factories. Claiming the university ignored a March 1st deadline, Schabacker said "we need to let them know this is unacceptable."

But Andrea Helling, ASUM president, said the resolution did not have a deadline.

"We are in full support of workers rights," Helling said, acknowledging the unanimous vote for the resolution. But unlike a law, a resolution has no teeth, and cannot be construed to command action.

"They're not getting the point across to me," said rally observer Graham Scott. "The spinner is wearing Nike gear, and they're protesting Nike," he said of the DJ at the rally.

Katie Pritchard, a junior in EVST, said the issue isn't with all Nike gear. Right now, she said, the university purchases items through a contract with Nike that has no way to monitor where those items are produced.

The group has met with Vice President Foley "at least six times," Foley said, and will do so again this Friday. "I look forward to working with them on a process that's best for the university as a whole," Foley said. "We look forward to doing the right thing for this institution."

Lou Terri, Head of Procurement at UM agrees, and said "we want everyone to be treated right." However, she would like students to remember one thing: "We don't have any jurisdiction outside of U of M."