Kim Pearson

© 2003-4. All Rights Reserved

Ryan Murphy's 12/12 class work

Date: December 12, 2000

To: College Relations Office, Corporate Funding Office

From: Ryan Murphy

Re: Consideration of Potentially Controversial Sponsorships and Partnerships

Since students and faculty have recently displayed their objection to the College’s association with Nike in sponsoring the College Bound golf tournament, something must be done to restore campus unity. It should be the College’s goal to determine a policy in how it will deal with potentially controversial sponsorships and partnerships. Therefore, this issue should be open to discussion by means of committees representing all facets of the campus community. This is more of a long-term goal that will ensure the College has a guideline for similar situations in the future. However, the College must consider seeking alternative sponsorship if Nike is ruled out. The short-term goal is the planning of the College Bound golf tournament.

Representation of all voices on the campus is most important when considering who exactly will make up the committees. Committees should include:

1. Members of faculty.
2. Member of administration.
3. Students of all variety.

Publicity regarding these committees should be heavy thus ensuring everyone has an equally fair chance at being selected. The College Relations Office should be very helpful in assisting the Signal in writing a story. Fliers should be hung in and around the academic buildings and classrooms. Selection should be done fairly with hopes of creating diverse and intelligent committees.

Before these committees test the opinions of the campus, education and discussion should be the focus. The College can bring speakers from USAS and representatives from Nike to either speak on their own individually or perhaps hold a question and answer meeting.

Once it seems that the campus community has been introduced to some of the details regarding this controversy, each committee should investigate the climate of the campus community. The committees will then report back and discuss the findings collaboratively and come to a final conclusion on two questions:

1. What shall be the College’s policy regarding potentially controversial sponsorships and partnerships?
2. Should the College allow Nike to help sponsor the College Bound golf tournament this summer?

Campus unity is most important in this situation. Confrontation should be kept to a minimum. As a whole, the College will be able to come to a decision that will benefit the College financially in the future while maintaining moral integrity. Not only will these committees bring about a solution to problem with Nike but determine the College’s future business endeavors.