Student leaders help examine sweatshops

By Leana Donofrio

Daily Kent Stater

The student group Coalition for a Humane And New Global Economy came to the Undergraduate Student Senate's meeting last night asking for help to make Kent State a "sweat-free campus."

CHANGE informed USS that President Carol Cartwright and University Counsel James Watson will be contacting both student senates about forming a committee. The committee, made up of students, will determine a possible code to prevent Kent State clothing from being produced in sweatshops. Vendors of university clothing will eventually have to sign the code, affirming they do not buy from sweatshops.

The proposed committee is part of a three-phase plan that was started last semester to deal with the issue of Kent State logo clothing and labor abuse.

The committee will research subjects like labor abuse and the monitoring of clothing factories.

Oren Casdi, a member of CHANGE, said he was told Cartwright would be contacting the student government sometime in the next 10 days to inform it of its responsibility.

Members of CHANGE invited USS to attend their meetings and workshops, and they provided information on labor abuse.

CHANGE is also circulating a petition for students to sign stating they support a "sweat-free campus," a campus that will not sell clothing made in sweatshops.

"We have circulated the petitions and talked to students," Casdi said. "Students are concerned and supportive."

Casdi told the members of senate that he came before them because they are representatives of the students, and he hoped they could help.

USS Executive Director Nic Smith said senate would work with CHANGE on the issue. Smith said senate will looking into passing a resolution to show its support.

Celeste Berke, senator for university affairs, offered to work on getting the student committee together with members of CHANGE. D'Andra Mull, senator for student relations, offered to work on promoting the group, the committee and its cause.