Two resolutions expressing the student body’s support for renewable energy investment and fair labor practices inspired a debate in the ASUO Senate on Wednesday about the role of resolutions in a body that primarily allocates student dollars.
The Senate passed without opposition a reconstituted renewable energy resolution co-sponsored by Sens. Nick Schultz and Amanda Hilts. Junior Cimmeron Gillespie authored the resolution, and will take it on part of a cross-country bike ride and deliver it to legislators in Washington, D.C.
A second resolution affirming support for clothing vendors who follow labor laws and allow workers to unionize was sent to the Senate’s rules committee. Mariah Thompson of the newly formed UO Sweat-Free Coalition authored the bill, also sponsored by Schultz, which expresses blanket support for products on campus that were not made in sweatshops.
Thompson led Step Up Oregon’s campaign against Russell Athletics, which resulted in the Duck Store temporarily halting orders for the sports manufacturer’s clothing because of charges that Russell closed plants when workers tried to form a union.
Several senators questioned why the resolution was not a targeted statement against Russell’s business practices. Thompson said she decided to make the resolution broader in part because she did not know the mood of the Senate.
“If I thought I could come in here with a resolution saying we should cut the contract from Russell and you guys would support that, I’d write that and be in here next week with one,” she said.
Still, Thompson and Gillespie argued that a broad statement against sweatshops was necessary to protect the University’s reputation and logo from being tainted by an association with those who exploit human rights, a situation Gillespie called “unconscionable.”
ASUO President-elect Emma Kallaway said she needed more information about the issue, and worried about how a broad statement of support for fair labor practices could later affect the University’s relationship with Nike. If the resolution could be used against Nike, Kallaway said, the Senate could be harming student services by jeopardizing revenue from Nike, upon which the University relies.
The resolution advanced, though it was unclear to what extent it could be amended there, and whether Thompson would return next week with a second resolution.
During the discussions of the renewable energy and anti-sweatshop resolutions, Sen. Tyler Scandalios questioned the efficacy of Senate resolutions. “If we pass five resolutions every meeting I think they lose their power,” he said.
“What power do they have, anyway?” Sen. Sandy Weintraub asked sardonically.
Scandalios said the renewable energy resolution could inspire any students lobbying a legislator to ask Senate to first endorse their cause.
“We get chastised all the time by (ASUO President) Sam Dotters-Katz for not caring about the institution,” Weintraub said. “I disagree with him fully, but we do get chastised for that.” He said senators should listen to proposed resolutions so long as they relate to the University and decide whether they agree or disagree.
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ASUO passes renewable energy resolution, debates fair labor
Daily Emerald
May 6, 2009
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