I would like to address the issue of the upcoming ISU/Coca-Cola campus monopoly. I first read about it in the March 14, issue of the Des Moines Register.

It seems that this “contract” has been in the making for 18 months already. The university even saw fit, while scheming to strip us of our freedom of choice, to hire outside consultation to the tune of $26,000 that could have been directed to swimming or baseball.

Seeing as this is a public university, and the consequences of this “partnership” directly affect us, the students, it would have been nice to at least be notified of, if not included in the decision.

Instead, the university is closing in on a “deal” that would place Powerade stickers on bicycle racks and depictions of Beardshear Hall with its columns wrapped in Coca-Cola banners on vending machines.

To all you Pepsi drinkers out there: Don’t worry, the University has taken pity on you. According to Warren Madden, Iowa State’s vice president of Business and Finance, you might still be allowed to purchase Pepsi products in the “Memorial Union grocery stores.”

You might think that the university was sneaky enough to ensure it came out ahead in this deal.

Think again. The article states that “ISU officials couldn’t determine how much Coca-Cola’s freebies would be worth.”

Coke is only asking for 16 skyboxes at Jack Trice Stadium, 14 courtside seats and season passes to basketball games, choice parking at several athletic events (not swimming or baseball, mind you), royalty-free use of the ISU logo, sponsorship of ISU events and free entry to coaches camps for youths … for the next 10 years.

Who do you think really comes out ahead in this deal?

Donovan Christoffer

Senior

Management information systems