At first mtg., UA passes sweatshop resolution

At the first regular meeting of its term, the Undergraduate Assembly voted to support a measure asking the University to take a more forceful stance in preventing its licensed apparel from being made in sweatshops. The UA will co-sign a resolution by the Progressive Activist Network that demands the University to either lobby to make changes to the Fair Labor Association -- a controversial code of conduct that does not require apparel companies to disclose the locations of their factories -- or withdraw from the FLA entirely. The resolution will be presented to the University in early May. The proposal calls for a response by the administration before October 15, but if the University chooses not to comply then it should "withdraw from the FLA and pursue an alternative code of conduct and monitoring plan." "We're showing our support for a fellow student activist group and also for a good cause," UA Chairperson and College junior Michael Silver said. "We really don't have the expertise on the [sweatshop] issue.? [PAN has] been working on their resolution for months and it would be presumptuous for us to do something right now." There was an extended debate during the meeting -- which was attended by 24 of the 25 newly elected members -- as to whether or not the group should add their name to PAN's resolution or draft a resolution of their own which supported PAN's efforts. Several UA members were concerned that if PAN did not achieve its goals, the legitimacy of the UA would be called into question. UA member Theo LeCompte, an Engineering sophomore, supported PAN in its efforts by reminding the UA that "change has to start somewhere." College junior and PAN member Miriam Joffe-Block said she is "very happy that? the UA [has] given us their support." Also at Sunday's meeting, the body considered internal changes when a lengthy debate was held on the future of the UA's Greek Life Committee. The UA decided to table the issue until next fall. As a result of the problems which plagued the 1998-1999 committee -- including a change of chairperson midway through the year and a lack of commitment from committee members -- many UA members called for the committee to have a more well-defined purpose. "I don't think [the meeting] was the proper setting to come up with the purpose [for the Greek Life committee]," Silver said. "I think there needs to be a meeting with Greek leaders and UA members.? I want to see what sort of interest there is [and] if we can come up with a game plan." Sunday's meeting also addressed several administrative issues. During the course of the 2 1/2-hour session, the body elected its Budget Committee and Ivy Council representatives. LeCompte and former UA Treasurer Jonathan Glick, a Wharton sophomore, were elected to the Budget Committee. UA Treasurer and College sophomore Michael Bassik will serve as the committee's chairperson. Elections were also held for Ivy Council representatives. The Ivy Council -- a consortium of student government leaders from all eight Ivy League schools -- discusses common problems across the Ivies and works developing solutions to those problems. College freshman Dana Becker, Engineering freshman Michael Krouse, Wharton freshman David Burd and College freshman Joshua Klein were elected to represent the UA on the Ivy Council. Penn will host the Ivy Council retreat next fall. Silver said he felt the new body was enthusiastic, noting the high attendance at Sunday's meeting. He added that he expects many positive results from the UA's annual fall retreat. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Eric Tucker contributed to this article.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.