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UW-Oshkosh to pledge fair trade

While the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh announced last week it will provide as many fair trade products as possible to its students, UW-Madison is not currently moving in the same direction.

UW spokesperson John Lucas said the chancellor’s office has been encouraged to look at purchasing fair trade products, but it would be a “stretch” for such a large university to move in the same direction as UW-Oshkosh.

“I would imagine any time you have a smaller institution like UW-Oshkosh, it would be easier to make a decision like this,” Lucas said. “I think overall there is an interest in [fair trade] products; whether or not it would be feasible for us to make a commitment is another story.”

The University Bookstore currently sells a line of fair trade t-shirts, and Lucas said an announcement for a new line of fair-trade sweatshirts is coming soon.

Chancellor Biddy Martin said she is not sure if moving in the same direction as UW-Oshkosh is feasible or desirable, but it is still “worth looking into.”

According to Lydia Zepeda, professor of consumer science at UW, certified fair trade items have set prices so whoever is producing the goods is making a living wage, whatever that may be in the particular economy. By purchasing fair trade products, consumers can help support a living wage for workers.

“We all want to be treated fairly. The university has tremendous buying power, so why wouldn’t we want it to use its buying power to make sure people make a living wage?” Zepeda added.

According to Zepeda, the University Labor Licensing Committee advises the chancellor about the licensing agreement the university has with various service providers. The committee provides oversight and advice, but whether or not the university adheres to such advice is debatable.

UW-Oshkosh will sell fair trade items including coffee, tea and chocolate. The university also sells apparel, handicrafts and cage-free eggs from vendors approved by the Fair Labor Association, said Jeanette De Diemar, executive director for UW-Oshkosh integrated marketing and communications.

De Diemar added the decision to begin selling as many fair trade products as possible came from the entire university body, approved by the faculty senate, senate of academic staff, classified staff advisory council and student association.

“[The idea] really was a spearheaded effort by the students and faculty. But, becoming a fair trade university was not the first step to become more sustainable,” De Diemar said. “We have been a member of the Fair Labor Association for quite some time. This is a natural progression for us. This is part of a strategic plan to be more responsible global citizens.”

Zepeda said supporting fair trade products is not only the responsibility of the executive decision makers on campus but also the consumers.

“I would love to see our leadership to take that stand. I think you have to be mindful of cost, but I think the first step would be to at least look at what it would cost us, and say ‘Are we willing to do that?’” Zepeda added. “If it is just pennies, maybe it would be a good thing.”