Kim Pearson

© 2003-4. All Rights Reserved

Ryan Murphy's class assignment for Introduction to Professional Writing

Date: December 1, 2000

To: Jesse Rosenblum, Associate Vice President, College Relations

From: Ryan Murphy, College Relations Advisor

Re: Nike’s sponsorship of College Bound junior golf tournament

Dr. Rosenblum, as you are aware the College is planning its first annual College Bound junior golf tournament and clinic. Nike, Inc. has offered to help fund the event and lend the services of its most well know endorser, Tiger Woods. The sponsorship of such a prominent sports company along with the celebrity of Mr. Woods would undoubtedly make this endeavor a tremendous success. However, after signing the Anti-Sweatshop Petition, the College must be careful in its business ventures. Upon looking at Nike’s attempts to better working conditions in their foreign plants, the College would be associating itself with a company dedicated to improvement and advancement.

Without the funding that Nike is willing to offer, this program will not be able to go on as planned. College Bound was extremely excited that the most popular sports company on the planet has offered the funds necessary to hold such a program as well as the services of Tiger Woods. The College cannot afford to say no to Nike’s sponsorship. For if we do not take it, it is almost certain they will lend their help and money elsewhere.

Amidst the sweat shop controversy, Nike has taken several steps to ensure the integrity of their foreign factories. On their official website, http://www.nike.com, the company has outlined these steps.

1. Increased age requirements to 18 years of age for employment in footwear factories. For less strenuous apparel factories the minimum age is now 16.
2. Improvements in factory air quality.
3. Increased wages.
4. Placed user-friendly information regarding their practices in foreign factories on the above mentioned website. The information includes monitoring of such factories by college students as well as independent agencies.
5. Joined the Global Alliance for Communities and Workers that is conducting worker assessment and community development programs in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
6. Signed on the Global Compact, a United Nations sponsored initiative that advances human rights principles.

The publicity that will surround this event will benefit the College as well as the College Bound program. The success of the College Bound programs in the past is well documented. This event will only help to further that success. With Nike’s help, the College can display the strong, business minded attitude that will help spawn growth.

Since the College’s name change in 1996, public perception has been that the College of New Jersey has forgotten about the state’s capital. Nothing could be farther from the truth. However, if the College does not accept Nike’s sponsorship and fails to host this event, the same backlash can be expected.

The College must express its sincerest concerns towards the sweat shop controversy. However, it is necessary to let our Campus Community know that Nike has made advances in their foreign employment practices. Although, rumored to be one of the "bad guys" of the sweat shop world, they are not hiding from the issue. Instead, they have taken strides to correct such problems if they exist at all.

As you can see, Dr. Rosenblum, Nike’s support of the College Bound golf tournament is critical. If upon further investigation, it is determined that the actions Nike is taking against sweat shop conditions in their factories are sincere then the College will not have to compromise its anti-sweat shop policy. This is a great opportunity for the city of Trenton, College Bound, and the College. We mustn’t lose sight of that.

Sincerely,

Ryan Murphy