The first step toward justice came when the University included a code of conduct in all of its contracts with apparel companies. The code allows the University to cut a contract if that company is violating workers' rights. Now, the University needs to take the next step by cutting its contract with New Era cap company on account of a series of violations at its factory in Derby, N.Y.

The code clearly and simply states, "Licensees shall provide a safe and healthy working environment to prevent accidents and injury." According to a report by the Workers Rights Consortium, a labor rights monitoring group, in Derby there has been a large number of repetitive motion injuries due to the work place as well as puncture wounds from the industrial sewing machines.

President B. Joseph White has publicly stated that he has informed New Era that the University plans to not renew its contract when it expires on Oct. 1. This is the course of action that many colleges and universities across the country have taken, including Duke, Georgetown and the University of Wisconsin.

However, in order to uphold the code of conduct, and to recognize New Era's numerous human rights abuses, it has come to the point at which the University should cut the contract with the New Era cap company as soon as possible, citing that the company has not met the standards which were clearly drawn out in the contract that company representatives signed last October.

President White has expressed his disapproval of New Era's labor practices, ("I'm no fan of New Era), but says that he is not in the position to make such a decision. "The University has a committee and the committee exists for the purpose of providing guidance on what actions the University should take on these matters," White said. It is true that it is the responsibility of the Committee on Labor Standards and Human Rights to make a decision on this matter, however, this committee clearly has no other choice but to recommend termination.

Terminating this contract will set an important precedent for the University as well as other schools. It will hopefully tell apparel companies that it will not be possible for them to get away with abusing workers' rights, union busting or failing to provide employees safe working conditions. The University should make it clear to the apparel industry that it is taking this code of conduct seriously and expects companies to do the same.

President White has also expressed concerned that legal battles falling termination would extend past October, at which point the contract will end anyway. New Era is currently in no healthy position for a legal battle with the University.

It is also important to remind the industry that only way companies can have these contracts is if they improve their standards by abiding by this code of conduct. The only clear and direct way to send this message is by cutting the contract immediately. In order for there to be any reform in the apparel industry, notorious for its human rights abuses, direct pressure should be applied on companies to clean up their proverbial acts. The direct action at this point can only manifest itself in termination of this contract.