At the start of the semester, design junior Kate Crowder returned to the dorms eager for a Dr. Pepper, only to find that the Coca-Cola self-service machines had been replaced by Pepsi in the dining hall. Crowder expressed dismay over the change, particularly in light of the high costs associated with the meal plan, which is included in the fees for on-campus living, leaving students feeling limited in their beverage choices.
“You pay so much for the meal plan, and then you go in (the dining hall), and now your options are very limited,” Crowder stated.
Cailin Rosborough, the associate director of marketing and communications for University Housing and Dining, explained that the switch was a result of the expiration of the beverage vendor contract. The University Housing and Dining (UHD) followed state purchasing guidelines and issued a request for proposals to identify new vendors.
“The new beverage vendors were chosen based on best value criteria scores by the proposal committee, which included student input,” Rosborough noted.
She emphasized that UHD considered various factors for the beverage contract, such as product variety, pricing, service costs, and customer service response times. They also looked into marketing revenue, promotional support, and scholarship funding, following university policies and rules from the UT System.
Civil engineering sophomore Emily Podnar remarked that the dining hall now offers fewer choices, prompting her to find Coca-Cola products elsewhere. “The switch does affect the amount of times I go to the dining hall. The Wendy’s on campus still has the Coke Freestyle machine, so if I want a drink, I’d go there instead of the dining halls,” she said.
Crowder also noted that while the change might seem trivial, it impacts individuals with dietary restrictions. “With the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, you get a lot more options… for a Dr. Pepper or another beverage… it’d probably be suitable for whatever you need, but now you don’t have the option anymore,” she explained.
Rosborough stated that the new contract will last five years with the option of two one-year renewals, potentially extending it until August 31, 2031.