The new student mentors at the College of Charleston offer these quick tips for succeeding in college. Review them periodically to make sure your college experience is everything it can be–academically, socially, and personally.

Like many U.S. companies, clothing giant Gap, Inc., relies on a vast network of outsource manufacturers around the world. In recent years, the apparel industry in particular has come under sharp criticism for failing to improve the working conditions in these overseas facilities–and for failing to disclose information on the number of safety and employee rights violations that occur in these factories.

Gap opened many eyes with the comprehensive social responsibility reports its began releasing several years ago. Unlike the all-too-typical company reports on corporate social responsibility, which tend to highlight positive moves by the company while downplaying or even avoiding mention of problems, Gap’s reports address problem areas head on. For example, they identify how many factories have violated its Code of Vendor Conduct and what types of violations occurred. The reports even include criticisms from Gap stakeholders and discussions of how the company is working to improve.

By breaking new ground in fostering transparency, Gap’s reporting serves as a great example of how companies can improve relationships with stakeholders while working to meet complex business and social challenges.

These days Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, pays a lot more attention to the business pages of the newspaper. Between American companies setting up shop on foreign soil and international companies plopping down in the United States, his workers are increasingly affected by the pressures of globalization. In addition, private-equity groups are buying up some of the union’s biggest employers.