Nike Chair Phil Knight made an appearance yesterday at
the Univ. of NC-Chapel Hill's "groundbreaking Nike course,"
Economics, Ethics and Impacts of the Global Economy: The
Nike Example, according to Jane Stancill of the Raleigh NEWS
& OBSERVER. The class had been expecting two visiting Nike
reps, but "had no clue that Knight would show up." Knight
entered as three students prepared "to give their own
recommendations for Nike." Student Mark Nguyen: "The group
was a little nervous. They're sitting here trying to tell
Phil Knight how to run his business." Stancill reports that
Knight "wasn't defensive about the company's much-maligned
overseas labor practices," and told the class that Nike "was
a changing company that has already instituted reforms."
Nguyen: "It was a good exchange. He recognized the
importance of independent monitoring, not just for Nike but
for the entire apparel industry." Stancill adds that during
the next few weeks class members and professors will
consider applying for a Nike grant to undertake a research
project while visiting the shoe factories in Asia, a trip
that could happen this summer (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER,
4/29). The school newspaper, the DAILY TARHEEL, reports on
Knight's visit to the class, as Wes Whitaker writes that
Knight "sat in the corner of the conference room" listening
to each group's suggestions (DAILY TARHEEL, 4/29).
