Students, faculty and staff can expect another change this upcoming semester regarding their usual beverages.
Texas A&M University-Commerce has entered into a new contract with The Pepsi Bottling Group, a switch from its previous contractual agreement with Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. dba Sulphur Springs Coca Cola Bottling Company.
The decision to switch to Pepsi products comes after several years with Coca-Cola. The most recent three-year contract was up for renewal this past August.
“Upon the expiration of the Coke contract, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was conducted,” Jennifer Perry, auxiliary services coordinator said. “A committee was formed to review all responses received by the University related to the RFP.”
This committee, made up of representatives from the athletic department, auxiliary services, accounting staff, administrative staff and faculty, reviewed the responses and listened to presentations from each respondent. The RFP committee reached a unanimous conclusion based on criteria and what the committee considered to be the best value, to award the new contract to the Pepsi Bottling Group.
This business decision means that Coke products will no longer be offered anywhere on campus. Only Pepsi products will be available in the vending machines and in concession areas starting this spring semester.
“However, Pepsi provides Dr. Pepper in 12 ounce cans for vending machines, and the exclusive contract allows food service to provide Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper in fountain drinks at the retail and dining locations in the Sam Rayburn Student Center,” Travis Ball, assistant director of purchasing said.
Vending machines have not yet been installed in been put in the newly opened Sam Rayburn Student Center. With extended hours beginning in the spring semester, the bookstore and food court will offer a variety of bottled drinks and food service will continue to serve fountain drinks.
“The current agreement with Pepsi is an exclusive agreement and will include a variety of Pepsi products to include Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew, Mug Root Beer, Tropicana juice flavors, Lipton Tea flavors, Dole Juices, SoBe flavors, Sobe & Mountain Dew Amp energy drinks, Gatorade, Propel, Aquafina water, Tazo brands, Starbucks frappucino’s, Muscle Milk, Oceanspray, and Crush,” Perry said.
The advertising within retail environments around campus, such as the coffee shops and concessions at the stadium, will have new Pepsi signage, but there will not be a large-scale effort to have the Pepsi logo and name plastered elsewhere.
Advertising on the scoreboard at the stadium is committed to local businesses at this time.
Even if students are not big Coke drinkers, other Coke products will be missed from the machines.
“I’m all about Powerade, which is a Coke product,” Gabi Vitela, senior political science and history major said. “If we get rid of Coke products in the vending machines, I’ll be saving some money and investing in a good coffee mug.”
Some students are seeing the University’s decision as one based on the current state of the economy.
“Pepsi is more economically sound in time of financial crisis and can offer lower prices than a struggling competitor,” freshman art major, Aaron Ptacek said.
There are also students who will fail to notice the change or who will easily adapt to the Pepsi products.
“Honestly, I’m addicted to aspartame, so as long as there is something ‘diet’ in the vending machine I’ll be a happy camper!” Amanda Lark, junior biological sciences major said.
Regardless of which side of the fence students and staff sit on, the reality is Pepsi is here to stay. That means for those who want Coca-Cola products the only option is to explore what is provided by Commerce businesses and local restaurants.
The one upside to the switch is prices for soda are not changing and students can still get 20 oz beverages from all
vending machines. In addition, vending machines are located in the same places they were as before, so students will not have to search for Pepsi machines and soft drinks.
Coke drinkers can also use this opportunity to keep up with a New Year’s Resolution.
For more information about the change, contact Jennifer Perry at the Mane Card Office.