We are very disappointed that UCSC is failing to comply with the Code of Conduct. Clause VI of the Code states that the exact locations of the factories making products bearing the logos of any of the UC campuses must be made public knowledge. This information is necessary so that we can verify that the human rights of workers making UCSC apparel are not being violated. Without monitoring and enforcement, the UC Code of Conduct is nothing but a PR exercise.

It is for these reasons that we ask you to adhere to UC policy. Please contact all of the companies that produce UCSC branded products and instruct them to disclose the exact locations of all of their factories, or their contract with UCSC will be cancelled.

Although we recognize that contacting every single company that makes UCSC branded products will be time-consuming, it is a task that is routinely undertaken by colleges around the country. Schools from Duke to UC Davis have made it standard procedure to request factory locations and disclose the information to an independent monitoring organization, the Workers’ Rights Consortium (WRC). The WRC even offers to help manage the collection of factory locations, as long as you let the contractors know that they must disclose this information to them. As you know, their phone number is (202) 387-4884.

We are thankful for the efforts that you and your office have already made to ensure respect for human rights in the production of UCSC apparel. We noticed that some of the clothes sold in the Bookstore are even labeled “sweatshop free,� this is a great step. Our meeting on March 9th will be an excellent opportunity to establish a timeline for UCSC to comply with the Code of Conduct.

Signed,
Comercio Justo

and The Project