Univ. of Michigan Drops Coca-Cola Contract

[Judi Lynn]

Univ. of Michigan Drops Coca-Cola Contract

School cites environment and human rights concerns

Published On Friday, January 06, 2006 1:15 AM
By DAVID ZHOU
Crimson Staff Writer

Students at the University of Michigan looking for a quick caffeine-fix may no longer count on always having a Coca-Cola after the university suspended its purchases of Coke products on Jan. 1, 2006.

Allegations that Coca-Cola has been complicit in human rights and environmental abuses in Colombia and India, respectively, prompted the decision, which will soon leave students without Coca-Cola in campus vending machines and cafeterias. An investigation by an arm of the university had earlier determined that the soft drink company may have violated various standards that Michigan expects vendors to uphold.

Michigan joins at least nine other universities, including New York University, that have also ended their contracts with Coca-Cola over the accusations, according to the Associated Press.
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The student coalition accused the soft drink company of polluting groundwater in India with pesticides and promoting unsafe working conditions and interfering with labor unions in Colombia, the statement said. Coca-Cola has repeatedly denied the allegations.
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http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=510774

[Born Free]

1. We cut back buying Coca-Cola about a year ago

Some times it's the only drink available, but if there is another choice we do not buy "Coke" . We consider it like Wal-Mart, and it the last choice.

[Judi Lynn]

2. It's a hard habit to break, but once it's done, you never miss it.

It took two different nudges before my conscience finally kicked in firmly enough to break my habit after a lifetime of use. I didn't disbelieve the information I heard the first time, but I was really hooked, and couldn't imagine living without the product, and didn't think it would make that much difference whether or not I continued to use it.

Really glad to live without it now.

[njdemocrat106]

3. If I didn't drink Coke, I'd probably switch to another sugar-laden cola...

I know it's awful for my health, but I swear I'm addicted to the stuff.

[Moderator]

4. Duplicate

Posted December 29th

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2012202