But in our fifth annual survey of the same, we found several hopeful examples that prove activism and community service are alive and well on campus. The policy, proposed by the Duke chapter of Students Against Sweatshops, ensures that licensees set a minimum working age for their employees, recognize their workers' right to organize, and agree to yearly unannounced factory visits by a Duke-sponsored inspector.
Students remain mentors until graduation.
Unconvinced by her assurances that RCC would address the problems, eight members of the group then took over an administrative office for 30 hours. The college resolved the protest peacefully and agreed to meet 15 of the demands, including the students' request to improve financial aid. The school adopted the policy and subsequently rejected an attractive bid for new computers from Acer Computer because of its business ties with that country's dictatorship. Instead of relaxing during Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks, students traveled to Appalachia to conduct a health survey, to New Orleans to work at an AIDS hospice, and even to Uganda to build houses. Sponsored by their friends and relatives, the volunteers did everything from repainting homeless shelters to taking senior citizens to the zoo.