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8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2008 Committee looks into labor BY CAROLINE DYE STAFF WRITER In the wake of a labor rights controversy concerning a company licensed to produce UNC apparel, a University advisory committee is taking a closer look at how to encourage companies to uphold higher labor standards. The Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee invited Scott Nova, executive director of the independent labor monitoring group Worker Rights Consortium, to speak at its meeting on Tuesday. New Era Cap. a company licensed to produce University apparel, has been in conflict with the WRC about the company's alleged interference in workers' efforts to unionize. The committee is taking a closer look at the labor code it requires companies to follow. Nova offered advice on how the University could make its licensing requirements more effective. "The factories operate under tre mendous price pressure." he said, explaining that companies there fore have an incentive to cut costs by lowering labor standards. “The factories that generally want to do the right thing are pun ished." he said, pointing out that higher labor costs make companies less competitive. Nova suggested that UNC limit the number of companies to which it licenses its logo and narrow the number of factories producing its merchandise to those with high labor standards. SOLDIERS FROM PAGE 1 The bombs and helicopters are meant to prepare soldiers, such as Sgt. First Class Robert Sepulveda, for the chaotic nature of war. "We never really had a routine or pattern." said Sepulveda, just back from a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq. “That's easy to figure out. And we auld let our guard down." Moorehead said he saw many positive aspects in Iraq. " There are things that they don't put on the news, like us providing beds and fruit to local nationals, but they only want to show explosions," he said. “Water treatment, con / . £ \ Ctvnpel Hid DINNER BUFFET j 59.35 i > SI.OO OFF with your UNC studantlDj 3 5 Chinese has the best variety of Chinese food around. You can dteost from over SO items on our Super Buffet or order from the extensive menu. Lunch 1 lam-2:3opm Friday/Saturday Dinner 4:3opm- 10pm Sunday-Thursday Dinner 4:3Qpm-9:3opm CLOSED MONDAY University Square • 143 W Franklin Street • Chapel Hill • 919.968.3488 • www.citysearch.com/rdu/35 TUTOR FOR CREDIT Peer Tutoring is an E.E and A PPL E S, service learning course Applications now available for the Peer Tutoring Program Receive 3 hours of pass/fail credit for tutoring on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. in Dey Hall during the Fall 2008 semester Tutors are needed for introductory and intermediate courses in: Accounting Astronomy Biochemistry Biology Chemistry Computer Science Economics Geology Languages Math Operations Research Physics Statistics Applications are available in the Learning Center (0118 SASB North) and by e-mail (cpOunc.edu) Return applications in hard copy or electronically no later than 5 p.m., Monday, April 21 Sign up for an interview when turning in your application Questions? Please call or drop by the Learning Center 962-3782 “Fewer factories and fewer licensees are better," he said. “We may be at a point where factories have to be cut off." Nova also broached the idea of University bookstores selling a line of more expensive “fair labor* apparel modeled after “fair trade" coffee sold at coffee shops. Donald Homstein, co-chairman of the advisory committee, support ed the idea of a fair labor line in the campus bookstore, explaining that more conventional efforts, such as university licensing codes, have not been particularly successful. “The effects overall have been marginal at best," he said. Besides the WRC, UNC is also affiliated with the Fair Labor Association, a monitoring group that includes businesses in its con stituency. “In past meetings there has been interest in seeing representatives from the FLA and the WRC," said Derek Lochbaum, co-chairman of the advisory committee. Lochbaum invited Nova to come speak on behalf of the WRC and said an FLA representative is scheduled to attend the commit tee's April 15 meeting. Homstein said that both orga nizations recognize the problem of widespread labor violations but that they are likely to approach the problem differently. Nova also spoke to students at a meeting sponsored by Student Action with Workers, a student labor rights organization. struction our troops do things that people don’t recognize." Sepulveda said part of that work consisted of daily interactions with the Iraqi people. “We had to initially earn their trust, but once they found out we were there to help, they opened up and told us their needs as well as who our enemies are," he said. "Ninety percent of the population are good people, but it’s like every country, just like this country.’ Similar to the United States, many Iraqi citizens disapproved of their government, he explained. For those stationed in Iraq, reminders of home also came in the mail. Sepulveda said he appre Recent student and University actions on worker's rights January: ■ Students from 15 universities, including UNC, spend three days interviewing workers at the New Era factory in Mobile, Ala. ■ A UNC licensing committee composed of students, faculty and University officials recom mends that Chancellor James Moeser require New Era to open its Alabama factory to outside review. February: Chancellor Moeser sends a letter to New Era sug gesting a monitoring organiza tion. the A&L Group Inc., investi gate New Era’s Alabama factory. Later that month, New Era sends a letter stating it would increase wages and benefits for workers at the factory. Sophomore Elvira Jasarevic came to find out more about the labor practices of the factories producing her clothing. “I just want to make sure I know what I’m wearing." SAW hoped to see Chancellor James Moeser at the advisory com mittee meeting to demonstrate his commitment to workers rights, said senior Salma Mirza. However, Moeser was not in attendance. Contact the State it! National Editor at stilt desk (a unc.edu. ciated receiving care packages as it gave him an opportunity to have something other than Army chow. “Army food, it’s not bad. but it gets better," he said. “When I got back it wasn’t about going off and doing a hundred things. I just want ed to spend some time at home and get a home-cooked meal." But not all aspects of coming home are positive. One soldier said the growing anti-war sentiment in the United States is disheartening. “Sometimes it feels like some peo ple don’t care." said a Special Forces graduate who asked not to be named because of the nature of his work. He said the tight-knit commu nity feel of Fayetteville dampens those feelings of disapproval. “There are a lot of supporters here, and it’s good. It really helps INAUGURATION FROM PAGE 1 emphasized this privilege when addressing the 2008-05) Congress. “You are the only entirely elected body of student government," he said. “That should be a source of pride for you." Other departing leaders gave words of wisdom to their succes sors. In turn, new leaders com mended their predecessors' work. One of these inaugurated offi cials, however, might not hold his position for long. Pending legal and Honor Court decisions, Carolina Athletic Association President Andrew Coonin could be required to step down after receiving a DWI citation Dec 11. Despite the issues surrounding the evening, the newly elected offi FTiEE for 9 ®he verqe ill • sign a lease and be entered in a drawing! • winner will be announced at the move-in party! WWW.LiTJeiftrfheVCTge.copj Thursday, April 3rd - 7:00 p.m. Student Union Auditorium News Efland development may go forward BY EVAN ROSE STAFF WRITER Orange County Board of Commissioners reviewed a request to develop a 130-acre mixed use shopping center near Efland at a public hearing Tuesday night. Buckhorn Road Associates have been drawing up plans for a large scale retail development since they applied for rezoning in December. While some withheld judgment, many residents, including some who live close to the proposed develop ment, spoke in favor of the project. The development would provide jobs for the area and increase the commercial tax base, said Adam Klein, director of government relations and economic develop ment for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce. Mam' longtime residents said they were eager to see the space filled, but the commissioners had several ques tions for the developers. Commissioner Mike Nelson said he wondered whether the 1,500 low wage jobs the development would RAYNOR FROM PAGE 1 plex, and some students don’t really understand it," Raynor said, adding that she might hold an open house in the fall to inform students of available positions. And involving students in the decision process is an idea that cur rent leaders say Raynor will need to continue throughout her term. N.C. Rep. Curtis Blackwood, R the guys coming back from Iraq." After 18 months of training for Special Forces, he said, he is tak ing a break with family members to tour the military museum in Fayetteville, looking at old weap ons and wax renderings from each major American war. The lessons of military history resonate for Sepulveda, who has parted ways with his military ties to Fort Bragg and is now working as an instructor at UNC's Army ROTC. “Day to day it does not affect any thing that I do and how I live my life," he said of his time in Iraq. “I've only been here a week, and I can already see where I can place that input to make better leaders in the army." Contact the State l£ National Editor at stntdesk@ unc.edu. cials were enthusiastic about the coming year. “I'm so pumped to join all of you and do the next 12 months Pink style with a twist of Carolina blue," Student Body Secretary Andrew Daub said. Raynor said she too is looking forward to beginning her full-time job. She also said she wants to come back in a year touting all of student government s accomplishments. All the newly inaugurated officers acknowledged the amount of work ahead of them, and Student Body Vice President Todd Dalrymple, giv ing one of the last speeches, said he was ready to take on the challenge. “I knew I was in for it when J.J.’s 44-page platform defeated my sta pler." Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu. provide fit in with Orange County’s long-term economic strategy. “We only haw about 2,300 unem ployed people in Orange County, not all of whom are looking for SB-an hour jobs,” he said. “Where are these 1.500 people going to come from? Where are they going to live?" The board of commissioners is looking for jobs with livable wages. Commissioner Chairman Barry Jacobs said. He said the development might not provide adequate job quality to meet criteria in the county 's five-year economic development plan. The development plan's overall goal is to create 5.000 new private sector jobs and increase the value of county nonresidential property 8125 million by June 2010. Desirable businesses are those in industries such as pharmacy, agricultural biotechnology and nanoscale technology, it states. “We weren’t envisioning McDonald's or Wal-Mart." Jacobs said. Several residents voiced con- Union, said listening is key. “Make sure the government doesn’t hurt their constituents." he said. “Sometimes they do things without thinking of people." Raynor said she learned a great deal about being a motivating leader from her predecessor, the late Eve Carson. “She taught me about what being a leader really means." Raynor said. “She did an incredible job of inspir ing everyone around her." And though former Student Body Vice President Mike Tarrant praised Carson's leadership, he said that Raynor also has the skills to suc ceed in her role. “She's a very hard worker and a proven leader," he said. He added Raynor's lack of student government experience Isn’t a cause for concern. “Some may say she's had no executive branch experience." he said. “But I’d say that’s a plus." For Raynor, student body presi dent is more than just an office it’s an opportunity to develop. “It means an incredible approach and responsibility to safeguard what we have at Carolina," she said. “It’s a community that you grow and experience new things in." Contact the Unii'ersity Editor at udesk@unc.edu. FRONT ROW FROM PAGE 1 nity for creative people on campus to work together and gives them an opportunity, especially the lesser known ones, to get some visibility." McNamara said. “It's also a really good chance for the groups to interact with each other." But it isn’t exclusively arts orga nizations joining up to raise aware ness across campus. Student gov ernment’s Arts Advocacy Committee interacts with Front Row by partici pating in the Student Arts Forum, a connection CPA has helped facili tate since CPAs creation. Funding and advertising for the committee is provided by CPA, which also helps plan meetings on current art-related programs and events. Tom Allin, co-chairman of the dhr Daily dar Mrrl cems about how the development would impact the environment “Y’ou have to change land-use patterns if you’re going to address global warming," Nelson said. There are three economic devel opment districts in Orange County, and the one that the shopping cen ter is planned for is the farthest from dense population, he said. “Why not use one of the EDDs that’s closer, so you don’t have to drive?" Nelson said. Jacobs said the board wouldn't approve the construction of drive through windows because of their environmental impact The board first designated the county’s three economic develop ment districts, which are subject to specific development regula tions, in 15)94. The area’s biggest retail develop ment The Streets at .Southpoint mall in Durham, is 10 acres larger than the proposed development Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu. GREEN FROM PAGE 1 both sides at least three or four times each." By his estimation, Green has had more than 20 stitches from at least eight different gashes in his UNC career. No amount of stitches has kept Green out of the game, though, especially in key moments. Even with four fouls late in s>aturday's game. Green often found himself getting backed down by the taller and lankier Clark in the post. Ever the crafty defender, Green baited Clark into three traveling calls by faking to play him tight and instead giving Clark space. In basketball circles, it’s called “pulling out the chair." “You feel a big guy leaning on you, give him a little bit and move out the way. It messes up his foot work," Green said. “That was my best bet you know. I had to go with something." After the postgame question and-answer session, Green finally had the chance to relish the idea of going to his first Final Four. And he caught his breath. Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu. Arts Advocacy Committee, said the Student Arts Forum allows inter ested students the opportunity to voice their opinions, thoughts and concerns about the arts at UNC. “On the committee there are members from CPA as well as stu dents that are helping select these grants. It’s an exciting partnership," Allin said. The committee works with Kang to provide funding to support undergraduate student arts initia tives through the Carolina Student Arts Grant Initiative, the first pro gram of its kind at UNC. The initiative encourages proj ects that will have an impact on campus life. In addition to perfor mances and events, the initiative offers support for contests, guest artist visits, workshops, festivals and publications. Allin said the initiative looks for well-planned projects to which stu dents have dedicated themselves, and for those with support from a student group intending to address an issue of relevance to students. Allin said the different back grounds of committee members in the Student Arts Forum have allowed the initiative to support a diverse array of student projects. “For me, it’s less about Carolina Performing Arts and more about individual students. With continu ing changes in the student bodies, arts groups on campus have a tough time caning out their niche," Kang said. “We really believe it serves every one’s interest to work together." Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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