Pepsi is Penn State's official soft-drink provider, much to Coca-Cola drinkers' dismay.

The university's current contract with PepsiCo began around 1992 and will last about ten more years, despite recent speculation that it would change.

"At that time, Pepsi was the best value,'' said Tom Gibson, associate vice president for auxiliary and business services.

Gibson said the brand didn't make a difference in the decision-making process, but the benefits did.

The university asked both Pepsi and the Coca-Cola Co. to submit bids on a contract, Gibson said.

After both contracts were evaluated, Pepsi's bid was accepted because it offered more funding toward general scholarships, library projects and campus construction. In return, Penn State agreed none of the competitor's products would be sold on campus.

Regardless of the university's decision, Penn State students still engage in the Coke versus Pepsi debate.

Students who are loyal Pepsi drinkers are pleased with the exclusive contract.

"Personally it doesn't bother me because I like Pepsi products," Winter Ames (senior-chemistry) said.

But Ames said she understands Coca-Cola supporters are inconvenienced by having to walk off campus to buy their favorite beverages.

Alyssa Correll (junior-international politics) also prefers Pepsi, but suggested that the university conduct a survey during two or three years to measure whether Pepsi or Coke products are more popular with students and faculty before signing the next contract.

"I think people should have their choice," Correll said.

Two other students said as long as the school was getting the best deal in exchange for keeping the competition off campus, it didn't matter what drinks they could buy in the dinning commons or the HUB-Robeson Center.

"It means more money for the school to build a bigger stadium or make improvements to the campus," John Marco (junior-computer science) said. "When it comes down to a choice between Pepsi or Coke products, whatever I see first is good enough."

Julia Davis (senior-kinesiology) agreed, suggesting an ingredient to add to the soft drink of choice.

She said, "If Pepsi's willing to give the campus money, I guess it doesn't matter, although Coke tastes better with rum.''