After they moved again into the dorms initially of the semester, design junior Kate Crowder craved a Dr. Pepper, in order that they headed to the eating corridor. However after they arrived, they found the Coca-Cola self-service machines have been gone and changed with Pepsi.
They stated they have been “devastated” by the change, citing the excessive price of the meal plan, which is routinely included in room-and-board charges for on-campus residents, and felt restricted by the discount in once-plentiful drink choices.
“You pay a lot for the meal plan, and then you definitely go in (the eating corridor), and now your choices are very restricted,” Crowder stated.
Cailin Rosborough, affiliate director of promoting and communications for College Housing and Eating, stated the expiration of UHD’s beverage vendor contract prompted the change. In accordance with state buying tips, UHD issued a proper request for a proposal to pick new distributors.
“The brand new beverage distributors have been chosen primarily based on the most effective worth standards scores by the (proposal) committee, and that did embody college students,” Rosborough stated.
Rosborough stated UHD adopted state buying tips for the beverage contract, contemplating product variety, pricing, service prices and a two-hour customer support response time. She stated UHD additionally evaluated advertising and marketing income, promotional help and scholarship funds in accordance with College insurance policies and UT System guidelines.
Civil engineering sophomore Emily Podnar stated she feels the eating halls now provide fewer choices, driving her to hunt Coca-Cola merchandise elsewhere.
“(The swap) does have an effect on the quantity of occasions (I am going to the eating corridor),” Podnar stated. “The Wendy’s on campus nonetheless has the Coke Freestyle machine, and so if I desire a drink, I’d go there as a substitute of the eating halls.”
Crowder stated whereas the change might sound “foolish,” it poses an even bigger concern for these with dietary restrictions.
“With the Coca-Cola freestyle machine, you get much more choices … for a Dr. Pepper or (one other beverage) … (to) water it down,” Crowder stated. “It’d in all probability be appropriate for no matter you want, however now you don’t have the choice anymore.”
Rosborough stated contract size is 5 years with the choice of two one-year renewals, which might lengthen the brand new contract via Aug. 31, 2031.
