By Bradford J. Senning
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 19, 1998

Likins needs correction

Arizona Daily Wildcat Bradford J. Senning

I don't write a column without an editor. She is the person who makes sure I'm correct. Sometimes my word usage is bad. Sometimes my information is flat-out wrong. She checks my work. My opinions are tempered, though not dominated, by a second opinion.

I've been told by the Wildcat's editor-in-chief that 40,000 students and faculty read this paper. Because of that I feel an ethical responsibility to get things right. But regardless of whether I feel this responsibility or not, there are two editors who read my work before it's printed. After it is printed there are 40,000 editors who know how to write letters. If I mess up somebody is going to let me know.

I'm belaboring this point for a reason. UA President Peter Likins has been needing a second opinion lately. And since he doesn't have the benefit of an editor, somebody has to supply that function for him. Maybe as many as 40,000 will be needed to correct this mistake. So get out your pens.

President Likins took a vacation to Portland last week. On the matter of future UA-Nike contract negotiations that will provide sponsorship for UA Athletics, he met with CEO Philip Knight at Nike headquarters. Likins wanted to suppress worries that had arisen about human rights violations in Nike factories abroad, so he went to ask Nike directly. "When I have a significant decision to make," said Likins, "I have to do my homework."

He came back from that trip having done all the homework he felt was necessary to make a decision. And he wrote in a statement to university deans, directors and department heads that he was "personally satisfied with Nike's employment practices." As a result, he has now authorized the UA to continue contract negotiations.

By the way, I did some homework, too.

A New York Times article dated November 8, 1997 fairly detailed the working conditions at a Nike factory in Vietnam. Included in the $10-per-week pay and 65-hour work week there were excessive amounts of carcinogens present in the factory - 177 times the legal level. And 77 percent of the workforce suffered from respiratory disorders.

I also found out that there is a contingency of students who were willing to supply Peter Likins with information about Nike's injustices abroad. But Likins refused to meet with them. Deferring questions to UA Athletic Director Jim Livengood, Likins responded to students, "I'm not the one to talk to on this matter, because I'm not among the negotiators." However, if a deal is made between UA Athletics and Nike the contract will require Likins' signature. That's why he's doing his homework. He wants to feel right about approving it.

But I think his homework is flawed. By going to Nike headquarters, Likins was seeking a confirmation regardless of factual evidence. He was ensuring a deal with Nike rather than ensuring an objective decision. Does he really think that the answer to this quandary can be supplied by Nike?

It behooves me to address President Likins directly, assuming he is one of the 40,000 out there who picks up the student newspaper. Over 450 students have signed a petition in order to have an influence on the Nike negotiations because the individual opinions of these students can't be published like yours and like mine. Collectively, they feel that they have something of truth and import to tell you. If you don't grant them a voice you will ensure yourself a reputation as a corporate bauble. And your university . . . it might as well be run by Nike.

Edit your decision, President Likins. And I'll edit my opinion of you.

Branford J. Senning is a junior majoring in American Literature and creative writing. His column, "The Emperor of Ice Cream," normally appears every Thursday.