Noah Thrappas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The iconic blue vending machines on Towson University Campus that rolled out Pepsi products were recently replaced by with brand new red and white striped Coca-Cola vending machines.
During the Summer break leading up to the start of the 23-24 school year, a deal was made between the Coca-Cola Company and Towson University giving Towson a 10-year pouring rights agreement.
Many returning students were surprised to see the new drinks on campus but were willing to give the products a shot. “I haven’t noticed that much aside from the Dasani bottles,” said Garland Crosby, a senior student at Towson.
One of the main complaints students have about the switching of the beverages is Pepsi branded Aquafina and Gatorade to the Coke branded Dasani and Powerade are not of the same quality. “They’re not as good as Aquafina bottles. That is not the biggest deal but I did prefer Aquafina, haha,” said Crosby.
The other complain students have is that the vending machine prices have increased by 50 cents.
“I’m a Pepsi person,” said Karrie Zimmerman, supervisor of Towson University’s financial aid call center. “So, I like my Diet Mountain Dew. Which I no longer can get here.”
Coke, when compared to Pepsi in market shares, is predominantly more popular in America. However, considering how long Towson University was a Pepsi campus before switching, it’s obvious that market share dominance wasn’t the leading motivator for the change.
“I preferred Pepsi but I feel like Coke, overall, is more popular,” said Amelia Milasinovich, a junior psychology student at Towson University. “I won’t be buying from vending machine as much anymore, but I feel like this decision will make the campus happier.”
Overall, after surveying a small group of 15 students across the campus, it was found three students were happy with the change, two students disliked the change, and 12 students had no strong opinions either way.