Program: This program will be held on campus for two weeks this
summer. Children from Trenton and its surrounding areas will be invited
to participate in the program. It will be funded by Nike, with an
appearance by Tiger Woods. The children will be housed by the school,
and bussed to the local Mountain Range Golf Course where they will be
instructed by local golf professionals. This program will link to the
school’s College Bound program by allowing children to use the college‘s
facilities and help teach them leadership qualities. It may also
encourage children to be interested in what a college can offer them in
the future.
Mission: While students on campus are requesting a ‘no-sweat’
policy to be sure the school sells items from companies that do not use
sweatshop labor. The college’s Mission Statement, Action Statement and
Core Beliefs detail its ideas about student leadership, creative
expression, and enhanced academics. Only the Core Beliefs state that
"the college prepares its students to be successful, ethical and
visionary leaders in a multicultural, highly technological, and
increasingly globalized world." This would suggest that the school
must take into account the ethics involved in sweatshop work and whether
or not it applies to this case. The same statement must be considered in
deciding whether to sign the ‘no-sweat’ contract. Other colleges,
such as the University of Colorado, have denied student protests by
signing athletic contracts with Nike this year. The college will not
ignore requests of the students by having a one-time relationship with
the company.
Nike: Nike is a member of the UN’s Fair Labor Association.
While there is still opposition to this organization, it gives proof
that Nike is willing to improve working conditions in its factories
worldwide. Many businesses, including Nike, have discontinued support of
schools that have joined the Worker’s Rights Consortium because the
businesses believe it ultimately goes against the workers they are
trying to help.
Tiger Woods: Tiger Woods has not made a statement on his position
on the issue, however, he has been criticized for abandoning the
requests of his mother, of Thai heritage.
Support: Trenton’s mayor, along with the school and golf range
are co-sponsors of the event. Outside support for the program
will come from the parents of the children involved, the community of
Trenton, and many of the college’s large business sponsors and alumni.
They will be shown that the college has no intentions of avoiding a
working relationship with Trenton and that the school is attempting to
relate itself with larger programs to better the status of the school
itself.
Opposition: Opposition to this program should be incidental.
Student protests and loss of alumni support will be minimal because of
the college’s involvement in the community. Whereas the school’s
commitment to Nike will be a one-time contract, with no long term
relationship with the company, no lasting opposition can occur.
Conclusions: According to this, I feel that the golf camp for
Trenton children, sponsored by Nike, should be held by the college.
Protests do not outweigh the benefits of the program and will ultimately
gain support for the college from businesses, alumni and the local
community.