Don't worry Pepsi fans: the brand of soda is, and will remain, the official drink of Penn State.

Contrary to rumors flying around campus, Penn State will not be switching to Coke brand. The university has been in contract with Pepsi for about eight years and has about 10 more with them, said Tom Gibson, the associate vice president for Business and Auxiliary.

"This is a travesty!" said Rebekah Howard (freshman-meteorology), a Coke enthusiast.

Both Coca-Cola Co. and Pepsi-Cola Co. received a request for proposal from Penn State and their bids were evaluated, Gibson said. In return for an exclusive contract, Pepsi, along with providing beverage services, gives scholarships and supports student activities at Penn State, Gibson said.

"The beverage business is a valuable resource," and Penn State chose Pepsi for its all-around value, Gibson said.

Although Pepsi said the contract does not need to be exclusive, Gibson said exclusive beverage agreements are not uncommon and to ensure a grade of value, agreements are usually exclusive. Without exclusivity it would not be a contract, Gibson said.

When the contract expires, Penn State will go out and look again, but for now Pepsi stays, he said. Gibson also said he could not say what the future holds for the university once the present contract is up. That information could only arise from negotiations, Gibson said.

The college crowd is an important market for beverage companies. "I think young people consume the most [soda]," Pepsi spokesperson Bart Casabona.

College-age students start making associations with brands that work, which is why campuses are a target market, he said.

"We're looking to create long-lasting relationships with consumers," he said.

In a group of 18 students polled, six preferred Pepsi, seven preferred Coke and five were indifferent. "I like Diet Pepsi better than Diet Coke, so since I drink diet, I'm glad the rumors are false," Alexandra Van Norden (freshman-communications) said.

Denise Grasso (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) agreed. "Pepsi is more refreshing," Grasso said.

Other students choose to stick with Coke, viewing it as the more traditional beverage.

"I like Coke because it's so retro," Megan Roofner (freshman-science) said.

For Rachel Ginsberg (freshman-marketing), taste also figures into her choice. "I like Coke because it's sweeter and the original," she said.