REGENTS OK 11-YEAR POURING RIGHTS FOR PEPSI AT SHOW ME CENTER

"All those in favor, go get a Pepsi."

And with that statement by board president Don Dickerson, the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents gave its approval to a contract that gives Marion Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. exclusive pouring rights at the Show Me Center for the next 11 years.

Dickerson said the contract provides funding that will make the Show Me Center self-sufficient and enable administrators to complete some improvements at the center.

"We expected the Show Me Center to pay its own way," Dickerson said. "The only difference in this contract as opposed to others is we're getting money as opposed to paying money. I'd like to do more of that."

Pepsi will pay $200,000 the first year and from $1,500 to $30,000 annually, depending upon how many gallons of syrup are purchased each year. In exchange, the university agrees to provide exclusive pouring rights within the Show Me Center, certain indoor and outdoor advertising rights, "and other accommodations that are common to contracts of this nature."

The Pepsi bid was considerably higher than that of Central States Coca-Cola, which offered a $100,000 payment the first year and $5,000 annually for the following 10 years.

"In reality, the university enter into exclusive contracts all the time," said Bill Duffy, the university's vice-president for finance. "A contract such as this taps upon some revenues we had until now not realized."

Duffy said the district is not considering exclusive pouring rights on campus. However, Dickerson said the board "may later need to look at campuswide."

Dickerson said he doesn't believe Pepsi will use the exclusive contract as a reason to increase prices significantly.

"They've had these types of contracts in the past, and we've worked well with them before," he said. "I don't see any reason for them to pick on us in this case."