Pepsi Cola supports New Paltz students

NEW PALTZ — Pepsi Cola is much more to the students of the State University of New York at New Paltz than a soft drink. Pepsi Cola of the Mid-Hudson Valley’s commitment to New Paltz furnishes student scholarships and funding for campus quality-of-life improvements.

In each of the last three years, Pepsi donated $20,000 to New Paltz through Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS), the non-profit corporation that provides a variety of services for the campus community. Each year, $5,000 is earmarked for scholarships and $15,000 goes to projects and purchases that benefit student life on campus.

“We have a great working relationship with Pepsi and greatly appreciate their contributions to New Paltz,” said Bill Long, chief executive officer of CAS.

Five $1,000 CAS/Pepsi scholarships are awarded each year to incoming freshmen who qualify based on a wide range of criteria, including grades, SAT scores and cultural diversity.

The manner in which the campus improvement money is used is determined by the CAS Board of Directors, which reviews programming fund requests from SUNY New Paltz organizations and faculty. Each submits a proposal with an explanation of the program and the amount needed, and CAS board members decide the allocation of funds.

This year, the money will be used to support a comedy show to be held during the fall semester and gatherings at “The Buzz” – a coffeehouse arranged on campus at The Terrace a couple of times a month throughout the academic year.

In past years, the money was used to purchase computers, cardiovascular equipment for the fitness center, and lounge furniture and electronic games for the new lounge in the Student Union Building.