"Periodically, we review that relationship and put the product out to bid to make sure we’re getting the best quality, the best price and the best service options for our staff and our students," Cooper said. "Pepsi was a successful candidate."

She said Coca-Cola products in all other forms than fountain will still be available on campus, like at Sparty’s, but Pepsi will be taking over in the dining halls. She said the switch may involve price of the products, but there are several other factors at play. 

"What Pepsi is offering here includes a revenue sharing model which will allow us to re-invest some of that money into our dining facilities," Cooper said. "Which I think is something that students, staff, faculty and the public are interested in seeing on our campus."

Pepsi’s bid not only included revenue sharing, but also service agreements that were more beneficial than Coca-Cola’s. With a different distribution model, Pepsi products are more accessible and convenient for the university. As for reactions from students, Cooper believes some will be upset while others will be excited. 

"Mountain Dew is one (drink) that will be available in fountain form and so that will be very exciting to some students," she said. "Pepsi also just bought Poppi."

Poppi, known as a wellness drink and a popular substitute for original sodas, will not be available in fountain form, but MSU’s partnership with Pepsi will make the line more accessible. Students can expect Poppi to be well stocked and available in MSU’s retail locations. 

"That’s been a very popular offering from our students," Cooper said, "We’ve really seen student taste shift over the last decade. We’re selling and using less and less traditional colas and have moved towards energy and wellness drinks and part of this is being responsive to that change in our culture."

Communications sophomore Payton Vincent said she prefers Coca-Cola products and expressed confusion over the switch.

"I think it’s weird that they’re doing that because it’s been Coke for so long," Vincent said. "Why do we need to change it?"

Vincent said the university could have asked for student opinions because people have very strong opinions when it comes to the debate over which beverage company is superior. 

One LinkedIn post referencing the switch, made by Dave Vander Roest, senior key account manager at PepsiCo, began circulating on X after user @DETszn posted a screenshot with the caption, "What is happening to our beloved university." The post broke the news to many students and sparked debate in the comments.

One of the hot topic was the blue gatorade provided by Coca-Cola. Some commenters went as far as creating hashtags like #bluepow to commemorate the loss. 

Vincent said she had a friend that drank the blue gatorade every day last year. 

"Every single time we come, that’s what she would get so I’m sure she would be upset," Vincent said. "I’ve only had it a couple times but if I were someone who avidly got it every time I went I’d be pretty upset."

Humanities pre-law junior David Garner said he prefers Pepsi products and was happy to hear the news. 

"I like a good cherry Pepsi," he said. "You want a good beverage with your decent cafe meal. I feel pretty happy."

Garner said he also has enjoyed the blue gatorade in the past but doesn’t think it’s a necessity in the dining halls. Garner’s friend, civil engineering freshman Lillee-Ann Jacobs, said she was pretty disappointed by the news. 

"When I have a bad day, I always want a cherry coke and I just go to the dining hall and get one," Jacobs said. "It’s going to be sad that I can’t get one anymore."

While Pepsi will be taking over the fountain drinks at MSU for a minimum of three years, with two possible 2-year extensions, the contract will then expire. The university will then put the product out for bid again and Coca-cola will have a chance to regain their long-standing place on campus.