Administrators "from many universities involved" in the
Workers' Rights Consortium (WRC), including the Univ. of OR
(UO) will meet today to discuss how to "gain more influence
over the workings of the labor monitoring group," according
to Andy Dworkin of the Portland OREGONIAN. Labor and human
rights organizations now "hold twice as many seats on the
consortium's board as the universities." The administrators
"also will push for the consortium to make public more
information about its funding and operations. And they'll
try to figure out how to get businesses monitored by the
consortium," including Nike, "more involved with the labor
group." Nike Chair Phil Knight was "so upset" by UO's
decision to join the WRC that he has stated he will donate
no more money to his alma mater. That decision "has created
heaps of controversy" among UO students, staff and alumni
(Portland OREGONIAN, 4/27). UO President David Frohnmayer
said he spoke by phone with Knight on Tuesday and added that
"it was clear that Knight was offended by the WRC decision."
While Frohnmayer has been criticized for not discussing the
school's decision with Knight beforehand, UO officials
talked with Nike employees about the school's "likely
membership in the factory-monitoring group, but those
conversations took place well below Nike's upper echelon."
UO VP/Public Affairs & Development Duncan McDonald said he
advised Frohnmayer not to contact Knight: "We don't consult
with any donor prior to decision-making on university
policy. We never have and we never will" (Eugene REGISTER-
GUARD, 4/26). A REGISTER-GUARD editorial supports the
school's actions: "Once Frohnmayer and the University Senate
determined that joining the WRC is the right thing to do,
only the force of argument -- not the weight of donations --
should sway them" (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 4/26).
DEAL INTACT: Knight's decision has no bearing on Nike's
existing contract to provide UO $200,000 a year in athletic
equipment for its sports teams (REGISTER-GUARD, 4/26).
