The letter outlined the university's appreciation for USAS’ concern for the workers in the factories that supply the university with some of its apparel.

“I want to thank you personally for your diligence in ensuring any product associated with Michigan State University stems from a source where workers are properly cared for and compensated," Gore said in the letter.

Gore expanded on this and said the university values “the enrichment of community, economic and family life on a global scale," adding that concerns come into consideration when thinking about the workers who are working to create MSU branded products.

“We, too, are deeply concerned about the serious allegations you have brought to light," Gore said in the letter.

Because of this, Gore outlined how the university has responded to the concern regarding these issues. The university’s actions are as follows, according to his letter:

• MSU encouraged Nike to work more transparently with the Worker Rights Consortium, or WRC, a valued partner of the university.

• Nike informed MSU that the WRC would be granted access to the Hansae Factory facility. The WRC issued a statement confirming Nike’s collaboration.

• University Licensing Programs touched base with Nike’s social responsibility team, which confirmed that Nike had placed sanctions on the factory.

Gore closed his letter by once again offering thanks to the students of USAS for their concern. He advised that they contact the director of licensing for any further discussion.

USAS president and neuroscience sophomore Taryn Stefanski responded to Gore’s letter.

In her response Stefanski thanked Gore for the university’s response and action regarding their concerns.

“As proud Spartans, we are very pleased to hear that MSU has already begun involvement in pressuring Nike to take action," the response reads.

Following this, Stefanski inquired about the specific actions MSU has taken in communication with Nike and the WRC.

Stefanski asked, “Did President Simon issue a statement? Was there communication between our WRC point of contact, the WRC, and Nike?”

Despite the work MSU has done thus far, Stefanski is not satisfied with the university as it has taken a year now for the university to take any action while students were campaigning for action.

“Nike has sat on these violations for over a year and workers were still found to be working in these conditions several weeks ago," Stefanski said in her response. "Just now they are going to take the steps to remediate the violations, which were only found after the WRC interviewed workers outside of the factory and when they were finally granted full access.”

Regarding the next steps for the university, MSU spokesperson Jason Cody says the university will look to continue with the work it’s been doing to take care of USAS’s concerns.

“Our next step is going to be what we continue to be doing,” Cody said. “Which is to work with all of our licensees, including Nike, to make sure that we hold them accountable to the values that we ascribe to when it comes to global workforce, fair labor practices and things of that nature.”

Additionally, Cody said the university will continue to work with the students at USAS as they have in the past to ensure the university takes care of the concerns the students have.