[Intl-tobacco] US and International Solidarity Request

[robert weissman]

Dear All,

Western Michigan University has decided to name Philip Morris its
"employer of the year."

Advocates in Michigan are directing complaints to the University, with
some support from others in the United States.

But given the egregious nature of the university's decision, we'd like
to increase the volume of criticism. With Globalink and others,
Essential Action has set up an on-line system by which you can send a
fax to the university and others, protesting the decision, and asking
that the university reconsider the decision.

We hope hundreds of people in the US join this campaign; even more, we
are hoping for solidarity from tobacco control advocates outside of the
United States.

Below, please find details of the fax campaign from Anna White; beneath
Anna's message is the press release from Western Michigan University
announcing their decision.

---

Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 13:47:23 -0400
From: Anna White <awhite@essential.org>

Dear all,

An online fax/email campaign targeting the WMU's President, Secretary of
the Board of Trustees, Provost, Spokesperson, and key Career and Student
Employment Services staff has been set up. While it includes a
pre-written letter to maximize participation, we encourage people to
submit original letters or at least modify the pre-written letter with
personalized comments.
http://petition.globalink.org/view.php?code=pmhon

Another great way to take action is to send letters to the editors of
local/regional newspapers.  There are direct links to all of these
newspapers on the following webpage:
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco/letter/wmu/

And if there is any further information, e.g. additional responses from
President Bailey, that you would like to have added to the website,
please send me an email.

Best wishes,
Anna

Anna White
Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control
Essential Action
Tel: 202-387-8030
Email: awhite@essential.org

---

Philip Morris named Employer of the Year

Oct. 9, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Philip Morris USA has been named Western Michigan
University's 2003-04 Employer of the Year and will receive the honor
during the University's seventh annual Etiquette Dinner from 6 to 9
p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, on campus in the Fetzer Center.

Career and Student Employment Services in WMU's Division of Student
Affairs has been designating the University's top employer each academic
year since 1991.

Recipients are chosen based on their outstanding recruiting practices as
well as their high level of involvement in educational partnerships and
recruiting activities that contribute to the career development and
employment of WMU students and alumni.

Accepting the 2003-04 award will be Todd Rogalski (Ra-GAWL-ski), unit
manager for Philip Morris who earned a bachelor of business
administration degree in marketing from WMU in 2000.

Linda Ickes (ICK-us), associate director of CSES, notes that Philip
Morris is presenting this year's Etiquette Dinner program, which
includes a seminar on business etiquette for students and is followed by
a group meal where students will practice their newly learned skills.

"This is just one example of the many ways the company supports the
career development of WMU students," Ickes says.

"Philip Morris also interviews on campus, provides support for our
Career Search Manual, and participates in career fairs and alumni
internship panel presentations. In addition, its representatives visit
campus several times each year to recruit and screen for summer interns
as well as regional sales managers."

Philip Morris USA is the domestic tobacco company owned by Altria Group
Inc. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., it employs more than 178,000 people
across the country. Rogalski and about 30 other employees are WMU alumni.

Those alumni include world-class engineers and researchers; highly
trained manufacturing specialists; and experts in sales, marketing,
finance, communications and human resources.

"Todd [Rogalski] has a passion to succeed and a communication style that
is highly responsive to both people and the business tasks at hand,"
Ickes says.

"These traits exemplify what Philip Morris looks for in its interns and
prospective employees. We're proud to welcome him back to campus for the
Etiquette Dinner because he can always be counted on to demonstrate
professionalism to our students and help WMU strengthen its partnerships
with business and industry."

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
269 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news