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SOU might join worker rights group Unlike UO, university wouldn't lose millions Southern Oregon University is considering joining the same worker rights group that spurred Nike founder Phil Knight to stop donating millions to the University of Oregon. Although SOU has no donors of that magnitude, President Stephen Reno said Friday there's always a chance someone could disagree with a major decision. "That may come out, but it hasn't to date," he said. Formed only recently, the Worker Rights Consortium is a national, nonprofit, labor watchdog group that monitors working conditions in foreign factories used by Nike and other apparel-makers. It's supported by 46 colleges and universities, including the UO, and several labor groups. The WRC and a rival group provide information to universities on companies that use overseas workers to make apparel sold in campus bookstores. "It doesn't surprise me at all that this is an issue that has come to Southern," said Reno. The Bookstore Advisory Committee and student government are looking to make separate recommendations concerning the issue in the next two weeks. Reno has the ultimate say in whether the university joins. Bookstore Director Lara Mann, a member of the Bookstore Advisory Committee, said the committee last fall joined the Fair Labor Association, a rival to WRC. When the advisory committee learned about the WRC, it decided the university needed to take a broader look at both groups. "As things heated up on other campuses, there were voices telling us to join WRC, not FLA," said Mann. "In order to give fair consideration of both groups we decided we would withdraw from FLA for the time being," she said. The withdrawal took effect Thursday. The next step is for the Bookstore Advisory Committee to recommend whether to join WRC, FLA, both or neither. The recommendation will go to the university's Executive Council, on which Reno and four other administrators sit. Reno said he'll make the final decision after talking with the council and other university sources -- including the University Foundation, SOU's fund-raising arm. The student government also will put in its two cents. Student body Vice President Scott Young said student leaders statewide have debated the WRC for several months, especially since the University of California system joined the WRC April 6. "There were a lot of students that I talked to that were supportive of this," said Young. "I think (joining the WRC) will be a good thing because students will be able to know who their university bookstore is contracting with and what their labor practices are." Student Senator Kansas Callaway said she plans to bring the issue to the Senate floor Tuesday in the form of a resolution supportive of joining the WRC. Its recommendation also will go to Reno's Executive Council. Young and Callaway would like to see SOU join the WRC. They both said the FLA is too closely aligned with its member corporations. Nike supports the FLA. "The information you get from the WRC, as opposed to the FLA, is much more accurate," said Callaway. Young, bookstore director Mann and others say they don't think WRC membership would ignite controversy with SOU alumni and supporters. "If U of O can make that choice, then it should be easy for Southern Oregon University to make that decision without the pressures of corporate interest," said Young. "I think it will make a positive statement to the community." This isn't the first time the bookstore has taken a stand against unfair labor practices. Many bookstores, including SOU's, now ask for codes of conduct before ordering supplies. "I refuse to buy from any company that does not have a code of conduct," said Mann. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA