For those of us who recently emerged from our incredibly long Winter Break (or hibernation as I like to refer to it) and are adjusting to being back on campus, it seems that one of the most prominent changes on campus is the University’s switch to Pepsi products. After the University’s contract with Coca-Cola came to an end before the start of 2012, the negotiation of a new contract allowed for a changeover to Pepsi products. Even if all it took to recognize this change was the huge blown up Pepsi bottle located outside of Trabant University Center last week, many students are now well aware of the switch. According to a press release issued by PepsiCo, “this new, multi-year partnership features PepsiCo’s comprehensive beverage lineup of carbonated soft drinks including Pepsi and Mountain Dew, Lipton teas, Aquafina, SoBe and Propel waters and Gatorade sports drinks, and Muscle Milk, among others”. But what do students think of this change? When asked, students around campus had some interesting opinions.
Nick, a freshman, noted: “Yeah I’ve noticed, I kind of like it.” He is referring to the change as he has experienced it in Rodney Dining Hall. He doesn’t like soda very much, but he likes the addition of Mountain Dew, one of the new Pepsi products. Nick said that the machines are “nicer” and they have more options now, such as Gatorade, which he thinks is much better than the Coke product PowerAde. But Nick stated that all of his friends hate it. When asked if he thinks the students should have been given a say in the switch, he responded by saying he doesn’t think the students needed to be asked. “People are still eating and drinking at the dining hall and they seem happy enough.”
Garrett, also a freshman who noticed the change in Rodney Dining Hall, has said that he is indifferent about the switch. He also does not drink soda, but says that the Gatorade is “nice to have”. However, he is disgruntled about the change of energy drinks offered in the Rodney Mart. He says that “the energy drinks in the Rodney Mart are different too which sucks!” The Rodney Mart used to sell Monster energy drinks–Garrett’s preferred Coke product–but now it offers RockStar and Amp energy drinks (both Pepsi products). He also mentioned that a resident who lives on the 4th floor of his building continually complains about the switch, acting as though it has really impacted his life in a negative way.
Allie, a freshman who has noticed the switch in Russell Dining Hall, has said that she cannot drink caffeine so she always used to choose Nestea, a Coke product, when she went to the dining halls, and loved the flavors of Nestea that were offered. But now, the Nestea is gone and has been replaced with Brisk, a Pepsi product. Allie has stated that she “hates the Brisk”, and has stopped drinking beverages in the dining hall altogether unless she gets water. She has even seen other people sneaking in bottled Coke products, because, she says, “no one I know likes the Pepsi drinks here”.
With these mixed opinions, it’s hard to capture whether or not the switch is, overall, a positive or negative change. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s always water.
Photo Credit: Marek Jaworski and the UD Review