UTR "What's Going On" Update 
   http://web.mit.edu/utr/www 

  
***REMINDER:  next UTR meeting: Monday, October 7 at 7pm.
   
   1. EQUIPMENT RECYCLING 
   Basics: We're going to recycle medical equipment and instruments from
local 
   hospitals to send to clinics abroad, mainly the Kenya clinic being built 
   this summer. This is one of our largest projects this term. 
   Current status: 
   (a) Hospitals were assigned at the last meeting to call for equipment
donations:
        MGH: Anita
        Brigham Women's: Gretchen
        Tufts-affiliated: Nina and Prasad
        Beth Israel: Nisha
        Mass E&E: Sinae
        Mount Auburn: Jessica
   (b) There are still many hospitals to call...if interested, please email
shefali (sboza@mit.edu) or 
        alexis (adieter@mit.edu)        
   (c) Plans are being made with Amy Smith of the Edgerton Center to allow 
       students to work at the Kenya clinic this summer.   

   2. AIDS DRUG RECYCLING
   Basics: The AIDS Drug Recycling Program has been called off due to a new
   law that was recently passed, which requires drugs to be sent back from the
   pharmacies to the companies (fda's revised food, drug, and cosmetic act of
   2002).
   
   3. LABOR ISSUES
   Basics: Last year, UTR was successful in getting MIT to join the FLA and
   WRC.  Now, through a branch organization, we will continue to work on labor
   issues, such as living wage at MIT, Star Market labor issues, and 
   sweatshop related items.  If interested, please contact Stephanie Wang at
   sweiwang@mit.edu.
   Current status: 
   (a) Join Students for Labor Justice if interested in labor issues (email
stephanie at 
    sweiwang@mit.edu).   
   (b) Justice for Janitors is the largest local campaign right now.  If
interested, 
    please email Stephanie (sweiwang)
   (c) Justice for Janitors rally at Northeastern tomorrow
(Monday)...please attend
    if you can.
   (d) We need to work with the MIT administration for FLA and WRC issues.  


   4. Coca-Cola Campaign
   Basics: Coca-Cola is not offering most of its employees antiretrovirals
   for AIDS, although it is affordable for the company.  A national effort
   is ongoing to give these employees access to ARVS through the company.
   Current status: 
   (a) We are going to have a bus going to New York City to participate in
    protests on October 17 for a day trip.  If interested, please email
    Shefali (sboza@mit.edu) immediately.
   (b) A teach-in at MIT is being planned for October 8.  We need to publicize
    for the teach-in with postering, etc.

   5. 2003 AIDS Treatment Walk
   Basics: We are planning a walk-a-thon with SGAC and M?ecins Sans
Fronti?es
   for April 12, 2003.  All funds raised will be given to MSF for their 
   programs to provide antiretrovirals to patients in Africa, Asia, and Latin
   America.  
   Current status: 
   (a) We are meeting with local organizers this coming week or next.  Please
    email Shefali (sboza) or Stephanie (sweiwang) immediately if interested.

   6. Angola 
   Basics: An alarming hunger crisis currently exists in Angola.  We will be
   fundraising this term for MSF to help alleviate this crisis.   
   Current status: 
   (a) We are going to have a booth in Lobby 10 in 2 weeks.  We need to 
    poster for this and have people man the booth.
  
   7. Benefit Concert in Harvard Square
   Basics: Someone has planned a benefit concert for UTR at Club Passim
   in Harvard Square for Oct. 16.  Please attend if you can - more info
soon.  

   8. Landmine clearance
   Basics: We fundraised last term to clear a landmine field in Afghanistan.  
   This term, in coordination with other schools in the area, we are planning
   a benefit concert at MIT during the Spring term.  
  
   9. Slavery
   Basics: We'll work with the American Anti-Slavery Coalition to free
slaves in 
   Sudan. 
   Current status: 
   (a) We'll plan fundraisers and sustainable donations campaigns this term.

   10. Iraq 
   Basics: We will be working with American Friends Service Committee to 
   raise funds to aid humanitarian relief efforts for civilians in Iraq.  
   Current status: 
   (a) We will plan fundraisers this term.  


_________________________________ 
   UTR Related News from this week: 

   1. Justice for Janitors Campaign
        http://www.bostonslap.org/bostonslap/j4j.htm
   
   2. Justice for Janitors Pledge
     http://www.massjwj.net/pledge.html

   3. Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines (this has been going on
for a while)...
        http://www.accessmed-msf.org/index.asp

   4. Rebels Without a War Wait for Help in Angola
        http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/29/international/africa/29ANGO.html

   5. Coca-Cola Campaign
        http://www.healthgap.org/
        http://www.treat-your-workers.org/