Cola wars have been raging in America since the early 1980s when television became the prime battlefield for carbonated beverage companies, namely the Coca-Cola Company and Pepsico Inc, competing for a spot in every American's refrigerator.
This winter, they are coming to Dartmouth.
The College currently has an exclusive pouring contract with Pepsi-Cola -- meaning that Dartmouth Dining Service serves only Pepsi and other drinks, such as Mountain Dew and Slice, that the Pepsi-Cola company produces.
Most campus vending machines stock Coca-Cola products. Canteen, Inc., the company that monitors these machines for Coca-Cola, has a vending contract with the College. Both the pouring and vending contracts expire this winter.
Director of Purchasing Gregory Husband held a meeting in 212 Collis Monday morning to explain the purchasing process to Student Assembly members and others, including Director of Dining Services Tucker Rossiter.
Many issues are involved in the debate over whether the College should change to Coke or stick with Pepsi in the dining halls. It will most likely not be settled simply by a student vote or survey.
Husband said that soft drink contracts at some colleges include up to 2 million dollars in benefits for the institution over spans of five to 15 years. Other incentives for colleges include such things as trips to the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament or Mardi Gras that could be raffled off.
The University of Pennsylvania is currently trying to re-negotiate its soft drink contracts in order to increase revenue, and other Ivies are not far behind, Husband said.
Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola bid on contracts for many colleges, but they are especially interested in Ivy League schools because of their prestige, Husband said.
Student Assembly President Josh Green '00, who was present at the meeting, said the administration "wants to hear what's important to the students, but there are many things involved."
Another meeting will be held early next month with representatives from both Pepsi-Cola and Coca-Cola present. The College will then file official requests for proposals with both companies, and expect responses in approximately two months, Husband said.
When Dartmouth receives the proposals later the winter, further deliberations will ensue.