PepsiCo. Inc could be the exclusive beverage provider for Sam Houston State University if voted upon by the Texas State University System Board of Regents during their quarterly meeting today and tomorrow.
Brynn Castro | The Houstonian
The controversial issue has caused outrage among some students who are fans of other drink manufacturers. Students have started protesting the issue using #SHSUVoiceCoke throughout social media to show they stand behind Coca-Cola Co. being on campus.
Forensic chemistry junior Tempest Brooks said the decision to switch providers without consulting students crosses a line of trust.
“For me, it is no competition,” Brooks said. “I would chose Coke products over Pepsi products any day. I think the main issue is they made this decision without the input of the students. We pay thousands of dollars in tuition here and we can’t even voice our opinion.”
Brooks said that she fears students not being consulted on this issue may lead to more decisions being made without putting students first.
“The people it affects the most have no say in the matter,” Brooks said. “I know there are some students who are indifferent to the Pepsi vs. Coke, but the real issue is how many other decisions have they or will they make behind closed doors and not consult us. Especially if it affects us the most.”
Other students like SGA Senator Hop Luu said they think the protest is unnecessary.
“They do have the right to [protest] but again, I do think it’s silly because in the end, soda is soda,” Luu said. “It all tastes the same in the end.”
Freshman finance major Devante Link said he thinks it’s unfair deprive students of their respective beverage of choice.
“Coke and Pepsi are about the same,” Link said. “To me honestly, it doesn’t really matter but there are people that are Coke drinkers and then there are Pepsi drinkers. You really can’t take one away.”
Students plan to gather and protest Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Lowman Student Center Mall in hopes of getting their voices heard on the issue.
The decision will be put to a vote Friday by the Board of Regents.