Gordon Gee: "Human rights ... Not my problem."

In an incredible new twist in the ongoing controversy over Ohio State University's contract with global human rights abuser Sodexo, OSU President Gordon Gee today told students and a Sodexo worker from the Dominican Republic: "This is a human rights issue" and "it's not my particular problem."

Since when are human rights abuse by a major OSU contractor not the president's problem? Is Gordon Gee trying to turn back the clock to the time before South African apartheid was ended by university boycotts?

On the same day, Gordon Gee made national and local headlines for his record-breaking millionaire salary: http://bit.ly/gdbVk0

For more on the campaign to end Sodexo's sub-poverty wages and human rights violations around the world, see http://kickoutsodexo.org

NATALIE YOON, Ohio State USAS: Hello, how are you today?

E. GORDON GEE, President, Ohio State University: I'm doing great. Wait just a second. [turns away.] So anyway, what happened to your knee? You had to have an MRI? [turns to students.] What's going on?

YOON: I'd like to introduce you to Carina, she's here from the Dominican Republic.

GEE: Hi Carina. Where are you? Wonderful to meet you. Thank you for coming by and saying hello. I appreciate it. How are you guys doing today?

YOON: Good. So, Carina, do you want to talk?

CARINA MIESES, representative of SitraSodexoDO, Dominican Republic: My name is Carina Mieses. I am from the Dominican Republic, and I am here to speak to you about the campaign against Sodexo.

GEE: [raises hand.] You know, I'm going to say something. I have, I have a luncheon meeting right now.

VICKO ALVAREZ, USAS Domestic Campaigns Coordinator (Interpreter for Ms. Mieses): Just another quick minute.

GEE: Are you sure? You promise me? Okay.

MIESES: I worked for Sodexo for a year and two months, where I experienced harsh conditions at my Sodexo locations, and I was actually fired because I spoke out for myself and my coworkers. And I'm here today to see if we can count on your support in our campaign against Sodexo.

GEE: [turns to students.] And, the answer is what I told you before. And that is the fact that we are looking at our own Sodexo issues, and her problem in her country is not my particular problem.

RYAN MARCHESE, Ohio State USAS: We actually wanted to invite you; we have flyers to an event tonight.

YOON: A Sodexo worker from Colombia and OSU workers will also be sharing their stories.

GEE: And I think that's great. This evening I have a Chinese delegation on campus, which I will... [inaudible.] And we welcome you, this is a place of ideas and we welcome you having an opportunity. I'm sorry, I talk very fast, okay? But remember what I said before, you met with our folks. We will take a look at those issues. But our issue is Sodexo on this campus. As I said, in terms of Sodexo, is that when there is a fair, free, private election by the workers as to whether or not they want to work for Sodexo, then at that point I'll be happy to talk about the other issues. This is a human rights issue, which I do not know whether or not all the issues are clear. Sodexo has its own view I would love to have. I think maybe it might be good for her to meet with Sodexo leadership here. So anyway, okay? [backs away.] Hey George, come on in.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• gordon gee
• ohio state university
• sodexo

[thatoenguy62]

@nickaejordan

The issue of was by no means new to Gordon Gee.It was not taken out of context. Several months ago he was given reports by multiple human rights organizations regarding Sodexo practices in the United States and abroad.

I am sure he was clear about what these people were discussing because they have discussed it with him several times before. This time, like previous times, he attempts dodge the issue. The message of human rights violations is not new to him.

[nickaejordan]

This is clearly taken out of context. When he said "...not my particular problem." he was referring to potential human rights violations in the Dominican Republic, which has absolutely nothing to do with Sodexo. It's clear that he wasnt clear about what these kids were discussing.

Now, that is probably his fault, since i doubt he offered to schedule a meeting, leaving them no choice but to ambush him. However, stooping to the Fox News level only paints the movement in a negative light.

[omargful]

this is embarrassing... on so many levels.



[johnleomahoney]

i truly can't believe the irony of Gee's face being plastered on newspapers around the country for making millions a year on the same morning that he told Carina, a courageous single mother battling for human rights, that it's "not his problem" right to her face. mr. gee, when your institution hands over a multi-million dollar contract to a human rights abuser, and you stay silent, it becomes your problem. good luck to OSU students, faculty and community working to hold gee to OSU's values!