The University of Colorado at Boulder will join the Worker Rights Consortium, a national group that monitors workplace conditions in apparel factories in developing nations, according to an announcement today by Interim Chancellor Phil DiStefano.
The announcement was delivered by Vice Chancellor Paul Tabolt to students engaged in a demonstration outside the chancellor's office since early today. A letter from Tabolt also was provided to the Board of Regents, informing them of the campus's decision.
The decision was made following several months of analysis by the campus's Licensing Advisory Committee. DiStefano had set a target of May 1 for making a decision after reviewing the committee's recommendation.
Tabolt said, "I am pleased that the chancellor supports this recommendation not only of the student group, but our Licensing Advisory Committee, to join the Worker Rights Consortium. In combination with our existing affiliation with the Fair Labor Association, I believe this action will help the campus further its efforts to ensure safe and humane working conditions for affected workers."
He noted that CU-Boulder's Licensing Advisory Committee, composed of faculty, staff and student representatives, was established several years ago to help the campus analyze and respond to such issues. The campus also developed a licensing policy that includes a Code of Conduct for apparel factories that produce licensed goods with CU's name, marks and logo.
The university has been affiliated with the Fair Labor Association since 2001. The two organizations have similar purposes, but differ on the level and type of monitoring as well as the makeup of their membership.
Other issues raised by the student group engaged in the demonstration will be referred to the Licensing Advisory Committee for review and recommendations.