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14-08: A Resolution to Make Wright State a Fair Trade
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University
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WHEREAS, What we choose to purchase, eat, and drink impacts farmers, workers, artisans
and the environment;
WHEREAS, Growers of coffee, tea, chocolate and other products produced in Latin America,
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Africa, and Asia are often paid less than a living wage, and forced child labor is
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involved, especially from the 200,000 trafficked children in West Africa from
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whence the U.S. receives over 43% of its cocoa;
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WHEREAS, NAFTA and other free trade agreements have destabilized Latin American
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economies and increased deforestation and carbon emissions, especially in
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Mexico;
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WHEREAS, Conventional means of growing coffee and other commodities are often damaging
to the environment, harming local ecosystems;
WHEREAS, Fair Trade ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmental
sustainability, and prohibits forced labor of any kind;
WHEREAS, 114 campus groups around the country, including 3 Ohio universities, already
support Fair Trade;
WHEREAS, By becoming a Fair Trade University Wright State University will demonstrate a
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commitment to sustainability; more effectively educate the campus community
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about Fair Trade; and inspire other institutions and organizations to support Fair
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Trade;
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RESOLVED, By the Student Government of Wright State University here assembled, that
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(1) Wright State University should declare itself to be a Fair Trade University, and
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will:
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(2) Work with Chartwells to make Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, and other Fair
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Trade products available as options in its dining facilities, consistent with the
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terms of food service contracts and where the resulting costs do not significantly
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jeopardize board rate costs.
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(3) Work with Chartwells to make Fair Trade products available at catered meetings
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hosted by the school, consistent with the terms of the food service contract.
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(4) Work with Chartwells to make Fair Trade products available for administrative
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and faculty offices whenever possible and consistent with the terms of the food
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service contract.
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(5) Will include Fair Trade food products and handicrafts (such as jewelry, and other
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gift items) in campus stores whenever possible and subject to the terms of vendor
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contracts.
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(6) Will identify and promote Fair Trade products at campus functions and stores
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with appropriate signage or information.
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(7) In consultation with the Fair Trade Student Association, will oversee the
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implementation of the above commitment.
Introduced by: Emily Bingham, Charmaine Griffith, Amaha Sellassie, Gabe Riegel, Leo
Mylabathula