Recently, a petition has been making its way across campus. Over 200 students have signed ETSU Student Aiden Graybeal’s list of signatures for Coca-Cola products to be brought onto campus.
Currently, Pepsi products, including Tennessee’s own Mountain Dew, are the only carbonated drinks someone would find in machines and at the restaurants across campus. Aiden Graybeal wants this to change.
Graybeal stated, “I feel strongly about Coca-Cola and I figured that other people may feel the same.” He contacted the Coca-Cola company, who responded and instructed Graybeal to try and build popular support on campus.
After sending a picture of the email and response to the popular campus social media page Barstool Sports, the petition gained traction. It is now being pushed towards the Student Government Association as potential legislation.
When asked if there was enough demand for a change, Graybeal stated, “I could not possibly comment about the general opinion of so large a group as the population of our campus, but I am certain that there are a great many Coke drinkers on campus. I am further certain that there are enough Coke drinkers to justify a referendum or legislation from SGA. If there are a greater number of Pepsi drinkers, then I believe democracy should take its course, even if it means the failure of my proposal.”
When asked what other products he would like to see on campus, Graybeal stated, “While I am satisfied with the change to Coca-Cola products, I would prefer to have Dr. Enuf and Cheerwine available as well, and, given the option for another change.”
Dr. Pepper is not on Graybeal’s hit list. “I would like it made clear that Dr. Pepper is not a Pepsi product. It can be sold alongside Coke products.”
When asked how he would celebrate his petition being successful, he replied with a simple, “Should this proposal succeed, I’m going to buy a Coke.”
