Friends:
Many of you will have seen or read about an ongoing demonstration in front of Johnson Hall. I would like to provide you with some background.
On Tuesday I received a list of demands from students and others concerned about human rights in places that manufacture apparel that carries the University name. In addition, a series of demands were made that would have an impact on our campus system of shared governance.
My feelings about the first issue are clear. I am committed — as, I believe, the University is as a whole — to supporting licensee business practices that oppose child labor, forced labor, discrimination and harassment, and that support living wages, adequate health and safety, reasonable hours of work and overtime compensation, among other agreed-upon principles. We are all heading toward the same goals. I differ with the demonstrators only in terms of the process — and timing of a few weeks at most — used to achieve these gains.
A joint faculty/student committee has been studying this issue for several months and presented its report to me on Tuesday. I am now reviewing the report, which is slated to be heard by the University Senate on April 12. Developing policy in this arena is a campus-wide effort; I will make no decisions until I hear the wishes of the senate. I do pledge to make my decision as quickly as possible following the senate’s deliberations — certainly well before the end of spring term.
I am reviewing with great concern the second issue, which involves demands for changes in our system of University governance. This includes explicit demands for changes in the ways in which our University committees are structured. Proper attention here must be given to the roles of faculty and staff, as well as students, and whatever we decide must be in accordance with Oregon law and the University Senate Charter.
I urge you all to remember that our campus has a long tradition of free speech and student activism. I am proud when our students make their voices heard on topics of importance. It is my fervent hope that this dialogue continues with respect and understanding.