When the code was released, student groups almost immediately began protesting that it did not go far enough. In some cases, students have also asked that the code be modified to give extra breaks to women, especially if they are pregnant. Students at multiple universities offered input. The protests have bogged down the process of adopting a code. The licensing company asked its clients to respond to the draft code by February 1, but as of last week, fewer than half had done so, said Bill Battle, chief executive officer of the company.
Numerous efforts are under way to come up with an enforceable code for apparel manufacturers.
Several institutions, including Brown University and the University of Notre Dame, have recommended their own codes. But apart from Notre Dame, with its commercial might, no single university or even coterie of colleges is seen as having the clout to pressure manufacturers to change. Mr. Battle and others fear that the efforts by Duke and other institutions to alter the draft code may so fragment the company's clients that no code can be agreed on. It's nice to have stated their philosophy, but unless others follow suit, they don't have much impact. Mr. Almeida doesn't see it that way.