Sit-in may draw ASUA support

Members of both the incoming and outgoing Senate last week began surveying students on the UA Mall to determine whether they will pass a resolution in support of Students Against Sweatshops members.

About 35 students have camped in UA President Peter Likins' office since last Wednesday, awaiting his signature on a resolution demanding fair labor practices from companies that manufacture university apparel.

Ben Graff, Associated Students executive vice president-elect, helped a group of about 10 new ASUA members and current senators to distribute surveys on the Mall.

"We weren't sure if students would be interested (in filling out surveys), but we got a really good turnout," said Graff, who serves as an ASUA senator. "This is the beginning of us asking the students before we take action."

Graff said next year's Senate will make a habit of turning to students before passing resolutions.

"This is what I promised we would do," he said.

ASUA Sen. Dave Snyder said although there are no conclusive results, "it seems the students are supporting SAS."

Members of SAS said they would welcome the Senate's support.

"I think it's great," said Noah Suby, a geography senior.

"It's their responsibility as the government to support the student body," he added.

Suby said the effort by ASUA was well-intentioned, but he called the survey questions "vague."

"It was written up without much thought," Suby said. "It was very ambiguous."

SAS member John Hardenbergh said ASUA support would be an asset.

"The more united we are, the more we can get done," said Hardenbergh, a political science and near-Eastern studies junior.

Student governments at several other universities have become involved in the sweatshop debate, most notably at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where student leaders protested alongside SAS members.

ASUA Senator-elect Ahmad Sa'ad Nasim, an SAS member, helped gather signatures, but said his affiliation won't affect ASUA's decision.

"It's not what me, as an SAS member thinks, but what the students at the University of Arizona think," he said.

Nasim said he has personal connections to the issue, but has not really been involved with the UA's Students Against Sweatshops chapter.

"I disagree with some of the tactics they used," he said. "Students need to be (more) educated."

Several UA students said they support the SAS members' protest.

"It's a really good idea," said undeclared freshman Anna Zieba. "I really think everyone should have their say."

Management Information Systems senior Richard Kwon said he is concerned that the protest has lasted too long.

"I just wish they could get a resolution done as quickly as possible," he said. "Otherwise, what good is it for both sides?"