After about 15 years, the University of Idaho is changing from a Pepsi campus to a Coca Cola campus. As of July 1, UI started a five-year contract with Coca Cola, Alan Coker, Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services, said.
Coker said both Pepsi and Coca Cola reapplied for the campus, but Coke won the contract. Coker said the decision was the closest one he has seen. Part of the decision was based on Coke’s willingness to work with UI.
“Pepsi has been a great partner,” Coker said. “But the selling point was a willingness to be on campus and participate in campus events.”
Coker said the contract is known as a pouring contract which means that after five years, there is a chance to renew the contract. There is also a stipulation in the contract that allows the university 90/10, meaning that on campus there is a 10 percent freedom to place other products that are not Coca Cola. The 10 percent, Coker said, will be in places like the Grid, the VandalStore and the Vandal Express convenience store in the Idaho Commons.
“So we can put Pepsi and Red Bull in those places, Coker said.
With private companies such as One World Cafe on campus, they will also make the transition to Coke products as part of their contract with the university is through the food service provider Sodexo, Coker said. Sodexo is also making the transition between Coke and Pepsi.
After two weeks in transition meetings, Coker said Coke is beginning to put machines around campus. Coker said they will be setting up freestyle machines and fountain installations by the beginning of August. Vending machines are also being brought in and replacing the Pepsi machines throughout the week, Coker said.
Coker said Coke will also be a sponsor for Vandal Athletics, meaning the program will be receiving new coolers and banners for the Kibbie Dome. Also, with the switch from Pepsi to Coke, the athletic program will switch from Gatorade to Powerade.
Claire Whitley
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