Just an FYI, in concurrence with the upcoming MSU Presidential election is a referendum for students to formally vote on their opinion on McMaster entering a new contract with Coca Cola Canada.

The specific referendum question hasn't been released yet due to some SRA drama but from my knowledge the referendum will seek consent from students for the MSU to endorse a Coca Cola Canada contract that would call for 80% of shelf space to be dedicated to Coke products.

MSU President Tiwari was supposed to have kept up with the contract negotiations, so I figure he should update the SRA on Sunday, and the rest of the MSU through the President's Page as to the current specifics of the contract.

DISCUSS!

:drinkin g27:

All I know is that Professor Alway would definitely be in favour for this. :p

Well, I stopped drinking pop a while ago, but back when I did drink it Coke was definitely the company of choice. To my understanding its a lot more popular on campus anyway, so signing this deal with Coke and getting a tonne of nice stuff and a good price on it makes a lot of sense to me.

Is there a reason that they're going for 80% instead of 100%?

In 2006 there was a referendum in which students voted to let McMaster know that they did not want a 100% exclusive contract.

Coke apparently listened and offered Mac an 80% shelf-space contract.

It's unique because there are no sales targets (from my belief) and instead allows Mac to stock whatever they want for 20% of stuff regardless of sales. All it means is that 4/5 cans on a shelf need to be Coke.

But yes, tons of other financial benefits, not the least of which is that if Coke is removed from this there will be a significant cost increase at 1280 which currently has a bunch of stuff that Coke has donated (beer fridges, lines between the pop guns and the syrup thing in the back etc)

Originally Posted by A.Marlowe

Well, I stopped drinking pop a while ago, but back when I did drink it Coke was definitely the company of choice. To my understanding its a lot more popular on campus anyway, so signing this deal with Coke and getting a tonne of nice stuff and a good price on it makes a lot of sense to me.

Is there a reason that they're going for 80% instead of 100%?

I would assume because some drink flavors don't have a corresponding coke product.

Personally, I would prefer pepsi on campus, but of course most pepsi machines don't have pepsi max, so i'm glad we have coke machines which have coke zero.

up the ****ing punx!

I should add, not having a Coke contract doesn't mean we would have a Pepsi contract. However, with the new 80% shelf-space contract, there is the opportunity for McMaster to stock 20% of whatever they want, incl PepsiCo products.

I'll be happy if we can stock Gatorade.

we need ****ing vanilla coke though seriously.

I thought Vanilla Coke was only available in the US?

Speaking of softdrinks, which variety stores near mac have a good selection of things other than the standard stuff we can get on campus?

I am very interested in this referendum and actually sat down and talked to Mr. Scheiding (Chief Returning Officer) about it in details a while back. I would recommend you visit his office if you want details about the referendum and the contract. He'll be more than glad to sit down with you and explain what the referendum is all about in details. It's just good to be educated about the issue at hand before making your decision and voting.

Black Cherry Vanilla Coke was the nectar of gods!

If they don't sign an this semi-exclusivity contract they would still stock Coca Cola products right, it just wouldn't be an 80% type deal right?

As a coke addict I don't think I'd be able to function if I could never get a coke on campus when I'm craving one. That said I'd probably be better off health wise if they didn't sell it, lol.

An 80% deal is a pretty good offer, at least imo. 100% exclusivity in highschool annoyed me b/c for 2 years we had a Coca Cola deal and then they switched to Pepsi and I was then never able to get anything I liked anymore. I would have liked to have at least 1 Coke machine after the switch over. I love Coke products but I'm sure other people would like Pepsi and other products available on campus so its best not to have a 100% deal.

Does that mean there might be Pepsi on campus?? That would be the best news that ever was or ever will be.

sew12: If there is no contract, yes there would be Coke on campus, but the prices would be higher as we would no longer receive contractually limited prices.

Kathy: While we cannot assume that there would be Pepsi on campus (as the choice would rest with the retail outlet stocking the shelves, it would be very much within the realm of possibilities.