In only its first semester as a student organization, the MU chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops managed to convince the MU Bookstore to purchase $50,000 of merchandise from Alta Gracia, a company that does not sell products made through sweatshop labor.

This is a very impressive feat for an organization that hasn’t existed that long. It is encouraging that MU Students Against Sweatshops could pursuade the bookstore, a prominent university entity designed to make a profit, to agree to such a venture. It is especially encouraging that, given our university’s strong ties to Nike products, the bookstore would be willing to limit such profitable products made by sweatshop labor.

Considering the Students Against Sweatshops purpose, we’re excited to see what is possible for the organization to achieve. With this move, they might not be eliminating sweatshops or taking down companies such as Nike that use such labor, but they are providing an alternative for student consumers at a large university.

Students should strongly consider this great philanthropic opportunity. The fact the MU Bookstore agreed to such a humanitarian venture is honorable, but it is likely the institution will only continue the efforts based on its possible economic effects. If Alta Gracia’s products turn out a large profit, it’s likely the MU Bookstore will expand such options, but this will only happen if students actively consider purchasing the materials.

That being said, if successful, MU Students Against Sweatshops should continue to push the bookstore to enter such agreements with other non-sweatshop-reliant companies, including local businesses.

Although they’re not going to change the world overnight, MU Students Against Sweatshops has made considerable strides toward combating sweatshop labor, and if we students are as interested helping others as we may claim to be, it is important we keep up the pace. Consider the Alta Gracia option when purchasing from the MU Bookstore. Every step counts.