Other Campuses

(U-WIRE) NEW YORK - If Coca-Cola does not agree to independently investigate alleged labor violations at its Colombian bottling plant before the Dec. 8 deadline given by the University Senate, Coke isn't the only product New York University is prepared to ban.

About 12 different products will be banned from campus, including Powerade, Nestea and Minute Maid, in addition to Coke and Sprite soft drinks. Hi-C, Odwalla, Fanta, Barq's Root Beer, Seagrams Ginger Ale, and Dasani water.

Student activists in the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke have called on the university to ban Coca-Cola products for nearly two years - an effort that culminated last month when the University Senate voted 28-10 for a ban if the company does not agree to a third-party investigation of its alleged role in the killings of union organizers in Colombia.

Though it would take four to six weeks to fully remove Coca-Cola products, the process would not be difficult because NYU does not have a contract with Coca-Cola, but instead works with business partners to direct product distribution, said Owen Moore, director of dining services at NYU.

These business partners include Aramark, CulinArt and All Season. Aramark supplies the undergraduate schools, while CulinArt supplies the law and medical school dining facilities and All Season works with the vending machines.

"NYU deals with business partners so that we're allowed to make the choices we want and not locked into a deal with any specific brands," Moore said. "I think there will be few logistic challenges (in removing Coca-Cola), but a lot will be done over the winter break."

Some students said as long as NYU replaces the products it removes with comparable brands, they will be satisfied.

"I think as long as the variety is still there, it won't be a problem," Tisch freshman John Robischau said. "If the university isn't asking my opinion if I want Coke or not, they better offer adequate replacements. ... I'm paying the university to supply the essentials, not to be an activist."

Ray Rogers, the director of the national Campaign to Stop Killer Coke, said the importance of showing the Coca-Cola company that it must be held accountable for its actions outweighs personal preferences for Coca-Cola products.

"Coca-Cola should've been kicked off campus this time last year, if not last spring," Rogers said. "I wholeheartedly applaud the people at NYU who have been pushing the issue and making sure it remains in the public eye."

Coca-Cola spokesperson Kari Bjorhus said the company wants NYU to trust its business practices.

"Regardless of whether or not we have a contract with NYU, we find it important to emphasize to the student body that the allegations are false and provide them with the information to prove so," Bjorhus said. "NYU is a trendsetting university, and that could greatly harm our reputation."

-Brittani Manzo