2008 Woodie Awards
Students question Coca-Cola contract
USGA petitions Loyola to consider a more ethical corporation
Anthe Mitrakos
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News
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For the past 10 years, the Coca-Cola Company has held a contract with Loyola to provide campus vending machine drinks. The renewal of the contract, which expires on July 31, 2008, is under heated debate. Loyola Students Against Sweatshops, Loyola Anti-War Network and students around the country propose to boycott Coca-Cola products on their campuses, accusing the company of atrocities at various bottling plants around the globe. Coca-Cola, meanwhile continues to win countless awards for workplace and environmental excellence.
"I think that the Coke issue is one that can perhaps be the beginning toward associating everyday actions and values, such as consumer power and responsibility that we as a Loyola community can begin to acknowledge and uphold," graduate student Erin Cox said.
Established in 1886 and regarded highly as a symbol of American enterprise throughout the world, Coca-Cola owns hundreds of brand names including Sprite, Dasani, Powerade, Minute Maid and titles to Nestèa and Bacardi Mixers.
The company's Web site argues for Coca-Cola's support of water conservation, recycling, human rights in the workforce and a "longstanding tradition of supporting schools" and encouraging "healthy active lifestyles."
The company was granted the honorary title of Leader in Corporate Social Responsibility in 2006 by Gerente, a publication based in Venezuela, and is praised with various awards for its citizenship efforts and economic development. Among other awards received in 2006 are that of International Leadership by the Anti-Defamation League, International Supplier of the Year by Wal-Mart, the Bhagidari Award for Indian Water Conservation and Environmental Management by the Indian government and the Top Charity Award for Multinational Companies by the China Philanthropy Times.
Coca-Cola's professed mission is to "refresh the world in body, mind and spirit ... to inspire movement of optimism, create value and make a difference." The company's vision includes "maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of overall responsibilities and being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be." Coca-Cola also claims to be passionately "committed in heart and mind."
"I think that the Coke issue is one that can perhaps be the beginning toward associating everyday actions and values, such as consumer power and responsibility that we as a Loyola community can begin to acknowledge and uphold," graduate student Erin Cox said.
Established in 1886 and regarded highly as a symbol of American enterprise throughout the world, Coca-Cola owns hundreds of brand names including Sprite, Dasani, Powerade, Minute Maid and titles to Nestèa and Bacardi Mixers.
The company's Web site argues for Coca-Cola's support of water conservation, recycling, human rights in the workforce and a "longstanding tradition of supporting schools" and encouraging "healthy active lifestyles."
The company was granted the honorary title of Leader in Corporate Social Responsibility in 2006 by Gerente, a publication based in Venezuela, and is praised with various awards for its citizenship efforts and economic development. Among other awards received in 2006 are that of International Leadership by the Anti-Defamation League, International Supplier of the Year by Wal-Mart, the Bhagidari Award for Indian Water Conservation and Environmental Management by the Indian government and the Top Charity Award for Multinational Companies by the China Philanthropy Times.
Coca-Cola's professed mission is to "refresh the world in body, mind and spirit ... to inspire movement of optimism, create value and make a difference." The company's vision includes "maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of overall responsibilities and being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be." Coca-Cola also claims to be passionately "committed in heart and mind."