Tell President Powers: Affiliate with the WRC Now!

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and it’s true. That’s why right now, 18 students are occupying the President’s office at the University of Texas, which rakes in more money off the sale of University-logo apparel than any other school in the world. Students are sitting in because UT President Powers has refused to take the most fundamental step to end sweatshop abuse in the over 4,400 factories making our school’s apparel by joining the Worker Rights Consortium.

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear President Powers,

I am shocked to learn that the University Texas, the country's largest licensing school, is still refusing to affiliate with the Worker Rights Consortium. The WRC is the only credible monitoring organization that has actually improved the lives of workers producing college-logo apparel. Over 180 Universities, including the University of Tennessee and the University of Florida, are members of the WRC.

As you know, UT's current factory monitor, the industry-backed and compromised Fair Labor Association, has gained more notoriety than ever, not only for its decade-long track record of failure to uphold UT's code of conduct, but now revealing itself as a whitewashing consultant catering to its most profitable clients, such as Apple. The FLA deprives a real voice for its University members, which is precisely why an increasing number of schools are seriously considering disaffiliation from the FLA. Affiliation with the FLA is not good enough for UT.

What more will it take for UT to finally do the right thing and join prestigious Universities across the nation in joining the WRC? As the country's largest apparel licensing University, UT is in a unique place to create real wide-reaching change for the lives of the millions of workers sewing Longhorn apparel. I urge you to dialogue with your students and affiliate with the WRC.

William C Powers Jr.

President, University of Texas

Fax:(512) 471-8102

Craig Westemeier

Associate Director, Trademarks & Licensing, University of Texas

Chris Plonsky

Athletic Director, University of Texas