The familiar set of paw prints emblazoned across various Nittany Lion apparel could be as recognizable to third-world sweatshop employees as it is to the legions of Penn State enthusiasts, according to workers' rights advocate Scott Nova.

"Universities around the country, including Penn State, have business relations with many companies that employ the use of sweatshops," Nova said as he reached for the clothing tag secured on the collar of his suit. "Brands have a great deal of power in negotiating price -- they want something for nothing."

Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium, spoke about the manufacturing of collegiate apparel in sweatshops to an audience of about 60 last night in Chambers Building.

Explaining the complicated politics surrounding sweatshops, Nova said American companies demand a low price from the sweatshops.

Because of their desperate circumstances, the sweatshops reluctantly agree to the transaction.

"The [American] company will say 'we'll go elsewhere -- whether next door or on another continent,' " in search of cheap labor, Nova said.

Theresa Haas, president of United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), said horrifying conditions exist in sweatshops, including long hours, poverty-level wages, sexual harassment, and health and safety shortcomings.

"Since most people in sweatshops are women, many are sexually harassed by the forced use of pregnancy tests or contraceptives," Haas said.

She added that despite multiple meetings with university officials regarding the university's link to the factories, the administration has provided nothing more than "empty commitments."

"Our primary purpose is to push for action from the university to end its affiliation with sweatshop labor," Haas said. "They continue to drag their feet on the issue."

Nova said a major step toward the resolution of the sweatshop usage lies in the university's decision to implement the Designated Supplier Program -- a platform already adopted by other Big Ten schools such as Indiana University and the University of Wisconsin.

"If you want to continue to create products with our logo on them, you will follow our codes," Nova said.

"If the brand has the university pushing it, it creates an extra incentive for them to do something," he added.

USAS member Keith Enochs said the problem of sweatshops applies to all citizens.

"It is just a general humanitarian issue," he said. "Everyone in this room is wearing something that was produced from less-than-amicable standards."