University Fair Trade Resolution

Loras College
To be proposed to President Collins, Steve Schmall, Ken McLaughlin, Sheila Germain, & Will McIntee

MISSION RELEVANCE: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING: o The basis for all that the Church believes about the moral dimensions of economic life is its vision of the transcendent worththe sacrednessof human beings. The dignity of the human person, realized in community with others, is the criterion against which all aspects of economic life must be measured. USCCB, Economic Justice for All o As followers of Christ, we are challenged to make a fundamental option for the poor to speak for the voiceless, to defend the defenseless, to assess life styles, policies, and social institutions in terms of their impact on the poorAs Christians, we are called to respond to the needs of all our brothers and sisters, but those with the greatest needs require the greatest response. USCCB, Economic Justice for All o [Solidarity] is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. -Sollicitudo Rei Socialis LORAS COLLEGE CATHOLIC IDENTITY STATEMENT: o Because each person is created in Gods image, we are responsible to one another and called to respect Gods creation in all its forms. Catholic tradition has stressed both the dignity of the individual and communal participation in the formation of personal conscience. o We welcome the responsibility to serve. The Catholic social tradition affirms solidarity built according to justice, enlivened and integrated by charity, and put into practice in freedom. o Called to build up the reign of God, we must meet our responsibilities to protect human dignity. Aware that the world is an imperfect place, we challenge ourselves to embrace the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the men and women of our time, especially those who are poor or afflicted in any way. LORAS COLLEGE DISPOSITIONS:

Ethical decision-makers discern religious, cultural and personal values in order to act with justice and compassion. Loras students demonstrate their ability to decide matters ethically.
In turn, as an institution we should live to the standards that we set for our students by reflecting our ethics in our buying habits.

Active learners want to learn. They are curious about the world and seek to make sense of their experiences. Loras students demonstrate their ability to learn in active ways.
As an institution, we should create outlets for students to learn more about global poverty, world trade, wealth distribution, and stewardship.

Reflective thinkers display insight. They take into account their own dispositions and biases as they think creatively and critically. Loras students demonstrate their ability to think in a reflective manner.
As an institution, we should encourage students to reflect about their everyday consumption habits to see how their actions affect people globally.

Responsible contributors to professions, societies and religious communities develop their talents and share them with others in ways that respect a global environment and are sensitive to cultural differences. Loras students demonstrate that they contribute in responsible ways.
Not only should Loras students become responsible contributors but as an institution we should respect the environment and all human life by supporting and advocating for fair trade.

What we choose to purchase, eat, and drink impacts all human beings from grower to consumer. Growers of coffee, tea, and chocolate in Latin America, Africa, and Asia are often paid less than a living wage, shown little to no dignity, and too often child labor is involved.

By becoming a Fair Trade Certified University, Loras College would more effectively educate our campus community about Fair Trade. By becoming a Fair Trade Certified University, Loras College would be a model to other schools through the practice of our ethical buying habits and our commitment to the world community.

BE IT RESOLVED: 1. FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT: The college will work with our food service provider, ARAMARK, to guarantee the use Pura Vida1 of Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea and chocolate, in our dining halls, catering service and all affiliates of ARAMARK on campus. 2. DINING FACILITIES: The college will work with our food service provider, ARAMARK, to make Fair Trade Certified coffee and tea available in all dining facilities. Eventually we hope to have Fair Trade the default option. We hope to have ARAMARK provide as much Fair Trade Certified products as possible without an extreme cost influx to the students. 3. CATERED EVENTS: The college will work with our food service provider, ARAMARK, to make Fair Trade Certified coffee and tea available at all catered events as the default. This change would in turn create an opportunity to have conversations about fair trade. 4. CAMPUS CONVEINANCE STORES: The college will work with our food service provider, ARAMARK, to provide Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea and chocolate as an option in the Duhawk Market and the POD, along with appropriate signage. 5. OFFICES: The college will encourage all offices to use Fair Trade Certified products whenever and wherever possible. 6. LIBRARY: Whenever the library offers free coffee to the students the Fair Trade Campaign Committee will supply Fair Trade Certified products. Along with posting signs signifying that it is Fair Trade Certified products. 7. BOOKSTORE: The college will work with the bookstore and Barnes and Noble to properly advertise and signify what Fair Trade Certified products they carry and where in the store those products are located. 8. ACKNOWLEDGMENT: The college will have a written policy and acknowledgment of their commitment to Fair Trade Certified products and their dedication to educating others about the movement. This also includes proper signage wherever Fair Trade Certified products are sampled or sold. 9. IMPLEMENTATION: We will form two groups to oversee the implementation of this project. First we will have a Fair Trade Campaign Committee comprised of students and a faculty advisor. Second we will have the Fair Trade Steering

Committee comprised of a mixture of students, faculty, staff, administration, and the food service. 10. EDUCATION: The college will work with our professors to integrate Fair Trade Ideology into their classes in all areas of study (i.e. Business, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Sports Management and Journalism.) In addition, Peace and Justice and the Fair Trade Campaign Committee will continue to hold the handy craft sale and Fair Trade Conference at the beginning of December to increase awareness on campus and in the Dubuque community. 11. ADMISSIONS: The college will work to switch all Admissions t-shirts over to Bayside2. So that we are supporting ethics through and through. 12. LAUNCH INTO LORAS/ ORIENTATION: The college will use Bayside t- shirts for all participants and team members. We will look into the integration of books that deal with fair trade as an option for the first year common reading.
1

We chose Pura Vida instead of any other ARAMARK affiliate company because Pura

Vida is a triple certified company, carrying only100% fair trade, shade grown, and organic products, that guarantees a certain portion of every product sold to Catholic Relief Services to help fund domestic grants and build up international coop orations with growers. CRS works to help give back basic human dignity to the workers along with a fair living wage. They also train farmers new farming techniques that help protect the environment and encourage native ecosystems.
2

Bayside is a clothing company that is all American made or union made. Right now

there is not a mainstream market of fair trade clothing so American made and sweat free are the most ethical options we have right now.