SCALE Live Streams Sit-In

More than a dozen students staged a sit-in at President Nikias' office Tuesday, risking expulsion to push for a cause they believe in.

The protesters are part of a campus group called SCALE, the Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation.

They kicked off their sit-in around 4 p.m. saying they wouldn't budge until the President Nikias came out to speak with them.

They said USC is investing money in Jansport, and the backpack company si putting employees in dangerous work environments in Bangladesh. Even though USC's money isn't going directly toward factories in Bangladesh, SCALE said the University is still funding "exploitative labor practices."

SCALE also said they've been sending letters to him every week for the past eight months but haven't been able to schedule a sit down to discuss their concerns about Jansport.

The University threatened to revoke the students' scholarships, or expel them if they didn't leave the President's office.

ATVN reached out to University officials, but they were unavailable for comment.