A student mandate isn’t enough to phase out the sale of bottled water at St. Thomas University.
Even if a majority votes in favour of banning the sale and distribution of bottled water on campus in an upcoming referendum – to be held during the STUSU spring general elections – the university is in year two of a seven-year contract with Pepsi that guarantees the soft-drink manufacturer an exclusive right to supply beverages on campus.
STU spokesperson Jeffrey Carleton said in an email that the university wants all the facts on the table before the decision-making process begins.
“Pending the outcome of the vote and subsequent discussions with the Students’ Union, we would certainly need to examine the terms and condition of that contract with regards to the possibility of any changes,” he said
The Coalition for a Bottled Water Free campus, a group started by former students of the late STU professor John McKendy, is leading the charge.
The STUSU signed on with the coalition last year as a member.
“There is a common misconception that (bottled water) is healthier than tap water when in fact, bottled water comes from municipal sources, and is less regulated,” said Mary-Dan Johnston, vice president administration for the STUSU and a former student of McKendy.
She said the union is considering supplementing the removal of bottled water with something similar to last year’s lug-a-mug campaign, where students can buy reusable water jugs for a discount price.
Carleton said the current Pepsi contract offers tens of thousands of dollars in benefits to STU students.
“The university has a general purpose fund for the benefit of students, the Students’ Union receives financial funding from the contract and so do each of the house committees in the residence system,” he said.
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