MSU and other institutions who sign contracts with apparel companies such as Nike have the right to know where the clothing that bears their names and logos is made and under what conditions.

Nike recently posted the location of the factories producing MSU goods on its Web site. The company began releasing the locations of factories producing clothing for other universities in April 2000.

MSU’s basketball and football teams signed contracts with Nike after the university’s contract with Reebok expired in April last year.

The disclosure of the factory locations is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. This is a small step aimed at appeasing groups like MSU’s Students for Economic Justice.

The institution the clothing is representing and the consumers who purchase it have the right to know what they are buying. Universities who sign contracts with Nike have the right to know where their money is going and Nike has a moral and ethical obligation to disclose all conditions under which its products are made.

The university should continue to be part of an effort against sweatshops, but should be cautious about what organizations it joins. The university should not cave to pressure from protest groups or other universities to join one group over another. More research should be done on the groups to find which best represents the university’s views and serves to help the cause more.

Students for Economic Justice, formerly United Students Against Sweatshops, has urged the university to join the Worker Rights Consortium. MSU is a member of the Fair Labor Association.

While the university has supported efforts against sweatshops, this should have been a concern before signing contracts with Nike. The university should have looked into the working conditions in Nike factories that produced licensed clothing before signing a contract with the company.

Those who continue to protest deplorable working conditions have a tough battle ahead of them, but they should not give up the fight. Each piece of information that companies are forced to disclose is a small victory in the war against sweatshops. To give up the fight for the sole reason that it is too one-sided is giving the companies an immediate victory and absolution for their actions.

The faction of people who passionately fight against these conditions is small. Unfortunately, most people are unable to realize the seriousness of the issue because it is largely without a face. Those who continue the fight should be commended for their passion and dedication.

The fundamental rights of human beings are too serious an issue to be ignored. MSU should continue to be a part of the fight against sweatshops and find the best possible avenue in which to participate. Companies like Nike that operate factories with poor working conditions have an obligation to disclose all the information about their productions to those affiliated with them.

The people have a right to know.