College and University Membership
Nearly 140 academic institutions in North America belong to the FLA University Caucus because of their commitment to fair labor standards and human rights in the supply chains of their branded merchandise.
FLA University Caucus members both contribute to and benefit from a reputable network that connects each university to realities beyond its individual campus and seeks pragmatic solutions to improve the lives of workers worldwide. Through FLA’s multi-stakeholder initiative, institutions of higher education are able to have broad global impact as leaders alongside civil society organizations and the business community.
Benefits
- Embody your university’s mission statement, values, and identity as an institution of higher education by making tangible commitments to human rights and fair labor practices in the supply chains of your collegiate branded products.
- Protect and champion your university’s name and brand while mitigating risk through FLA’s robust suite of programs, including the accreditation process, the FLA Collegiate Licensee Program, and our investigations, innovation, and advocacy efforts.
- Ensure your licensees are part of a well-established human rights due diligence program, either through the capacity-building FLA Collegiate Licensee Program or the accountability-focused Fair Labor Accreditation Program, both of which seek to operationalize the highest international labor standards to help collegiate supply chain partners of all sizes, structures, and business models meet your social compliance expectations.
- Create collective leverage and influence by uniting your university with a coalition of institutions who together can have greater impact than any one university could have alone.
- Serve as an on-campus resource on critical human rights topics through knowledge gained from FLA advocacy, communications, resources, convenings, and leadership opportunities, and gain access for students to our FLA Student Committee.
- Gain bespoke access to FLA staff expertise to support you with navigating situations on campus and with licensees related to supply chain human rights issues.
The University of Texas benefits significantly from its affiliation with the Fair Labor Association, gaining valuable knowledge and insight into complex issues related to the code of conduct, sourcing practices, and the broader field of corporate social responsibility. The expertise of the FLA staff is instrumental in helping us navigate these areas with diligence and integrity.
Criteria
Any institution of higher education in North America is eligible to join the FLA University Caucus.
Joining the FLA University Caucus signals your commitment to the following expectations, outlined in the FLA University Caucus Bylaws:
- Require your collegiate trademark licensees to join FLA, either in the FLA Collegiate Licensee Program or as an FLA Participating Company.
- Renew your FLA University membership annually, including paying annual dues
- Publicly disclose in-scope factories and suppliers producing collegiate merchandise.
How to Join
FLA welcomes interested colleges and universities to reach out to us with any questions and to learn more. We encourage you to take the following steps if you are considering joining the FLA University Caucus:
- Download the FLA University Program Overview to learn more about the program and to calculate your annual dues, which are based on licensing royalties.
- Email Danielle Roberts, FLA University Program Manager, droberts@fairlabor.org, with any questions and to schedule an introductory conversation.
- Submit the FLA University Member Registration Form to droberts@fairlabor.org.
At Boston University, I view the Fair Labor Association as a vital partner in ensuring that our licensed products align with the values of our institution. Through the FLA’s tools, training, and community of practice, we’re able to uphold standards of ethical sourcing, labor rights, and transparency across our licensing program.
I strongly encourage other universities to join the FLA. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your institution’s values through action and to lead with purpose in how your brand shows up in the world.