Spring Break
Miami students campaign against counterfeit items
Stephani Hunter
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Campus
Getting a good deal on a new purse is always a good thing. However, what if things aren't what they seem?
Students at Miami University have paired up with the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition to address this problem, promoting awareness of counterfeit items with a movement called Get Real.
The IACC College Outreach Campaign handbook states that the Get Real program's purpose is to educate consumers by letting them know that they are the victims of purchasing counterfeit items. It also said that Get Real hopes that their awareness will help cut the demand of counterfeit items.
According to the IACC handbook, 59 percent of consumers admit to purchasing fake luxury items and 90 percent feel no guilt about doing so.
Get Real member sophomore Elizabeth King said the group hopes that its campaign will make students more aware of statistics such as these, as well as make them more responsible consumers.
King said one of the group's biggest concerns was how to target Miami students. She said they chose to use fashion as a way to catch the interest of undergraduate females on campus, with the hope that male students will participate as well.
"Fashion is a big aspect of Miami's campus," King said. "There is a lot more to it than just fake purses and sunglasses, but our focus is on fashion."
According to King, the group is planning a variety of different events to raise awareness during the week of April 7, with flyers, banners and booths around campus all week.
Senior Teresa Boucas, executive member of the group, said a Facebook.com group will also be set up during the week of March 3 to promote early awareness of the campaign. There is also a blog (rockitreal.blogspot.com), which will provide statistics and other information about the group's events, as well as the national campaign.
Boucas said the booths will be set up at high-traffic areas throughout the week, including in front of the Shriver Center, the seal, and King Library. She also said that the students working to promote the campaign will work in shifts at the booths to ensure that they stay open all day.
Students at Miami University have paired up with the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition to address this problem, promoting awareness of counterfeit items with a movement called Get Real.
The IACC College Outreach Campaign handbook states that the Get Real program's purpose is to educate consumers by letting them know that they are the victims of purchasing counterfeit items. It also said that Get Real hopes that their awareness will help cut the demand of counterfeit items.
According to the IACC handbook, 59 percent of consumers admit to purchasing fake luxury items and 90 percent feel no guilt about doing so.
Get Real member sophomore Elizabeth King said the group hopes that its campaign will make students more aware of statistics such as these, as well as make them more responsible consumers.
King said one of the group's biggest concerns was how to target Miami students. She said they chose to use fashion as a way to catch the interest of undergraduate females on campus, with the hope that male students will participate as well.
"Fashion is a big aspect of Miami's campus," King said. "There is a lot more to it than just fake purses and sunglasses, but our focus is on fashion."
According to King, the group is planning a variety of different events to raise awareness during the week of April 7, with flyers, banners and booths around campus all week.
Senior Teresa Boucas, executive member of the group, said a Facebook.com group will also be set up during the week of March 3 to promote early awareness of the campaign. There is also a blog (rockitreal.blogspot.com), which will provide statistics and other information about the group's events, as well as the national campaign.
Boucas said the booths will be set up at high-traffic areas throughout the week, including in front of the Shriver Center, the seal, and King Library. She also said that the students working to promote the campaign will work in shifts at the booths to ensure that they stay open all day.
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