This Thursday, the President’s Task Force on Purchasing Ethics and Policies will hear public comments as part of their process of formulating a Code of Conduct for university vendors, which if properly drafted could mean the University telling anti-union or otherwise unethical contractors to shape up or risk losing their contract with the University. It also seems the president’s office is taking something of a lead in the issue, according to a memo Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality has forwarded to their members:

MEMORANDUM

TO: Participants, Public Forum, Thursday, September 25, 2003, at 4:15 p.m. Hussey Room, Michigan League

FROM: President’s Task Force on Purchasing Ethics and Policies, University of Michigan

RE: Proposed Code of Conduct for University Vendors

As indicated in the enclosed Charge from University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman, the Task Force on Purchasing Ethics and Policies has been created to recommend how sound, ethical, and socially responsible practices, to which Michigan has a longstanding commitment, may be codified for the University’s vendors.

We are most appreciative of the help that can be provided us in this project by vendors of goods and services, members of the University community, and all other interested parties. To assist you in presenting your views, we have set forth below some of the topics and questions we may need to address in drafting our recommendations.

We would prefer that presentations be made in person at the public forum scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 4:15-6:00 p.m. in the Hussey Room of the Michigan League. We would also be happy, however, to accept written submissions. Please contact Patrick Naswell by e-mail at patrickn@umich.edu or by phone at (734) 615-6744 if you plan to participate in the forum and have not yet notified him. Written statements should be sent to Mr. Naswell at the Office of the President, University
of Michigan, 2074 Fleming Administration Building, Ann Arbor MI 48109-1340.