Citing a “conflict of interest,” the American Association of University Professors at the University of Washington has asked Provost Phyllis Wise to resign her newly-appointed position as a member of the Board of Directors at Nike, Inc. Within their considerations, the committee has referred to numerous conflicts of interest pertaining to the provost’s dual involvement in both organizations — the first being Nike's $35 million deal to outfit the university’s athletic department. However, the committee chose to focus more heavily on the recent accusations over unfair labor practices by a Nike, Inc. contractor.
“It may not be Provost Wise’s intention to silence criticism from labor rights experts,” the faculty wrote in a statement. “But, when a faculty reports to a provost who is on Nike’s payroll, institutional incentives favor tolerance for sweatshop abuses. This is not in the best interests of academic freedom nor of the university.”
In a statement published by the Seattle Times, Wise remained neutral in her position. “I understand that reasonable people hold differing views on whether university administrators should serve on corporate boards,” she wrote.
