BYU students can now get caffeinated soda on campus

Show Caption Hide Caption BYU ends ban on caffeinated soda sales Mormon-church owned Brigham Young University in Utah is reversing its six-decade ban on selling caffeinated soft drinks on its campus. The school made the change Thursday after receiving more requests from students to serve caffeinated soda. (Sept. 21)

Welcome, Brigham Young University, to the wonderful world of caffeine.

At the urging of students, the Mormon-based college in Utah lifted its decades-long moratorium on caffeinated soft drinks Thursday morning, allowing campus restaurants, vending machines, stores and dining halls to offer the sweet buzz of caffeine-filled sodas. The change also includes sports facilities, meaning Cougar fans will be able to buy a Coke at BYU's next home football game.

University spokesperson Carri Jenkins said the policy started at 8 a.m., when the campus' vending machines began to be filled with caffeinated sodas. Caffeinated fountain soda will come later after equipment is updated.

Jenkins stressed there never was a ban on caffeinated drinks on campus, only that the university never allowed it to be offered on campus. Thus, you were previously allowed to bring a Coke or Pepsi onto BYU grounds.

However, the university stopped short of changing its policy on energy drinks, which still are not allowed.

At BYU, students and employees are not allowed to drink coffee or tea on campus as it goes against the school's Honor Code, which among other things says students, administrators and staff will, "abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee and substance abuse."

The honor code only applies to staff and students. Visitors, Jenkins said, are allowed to drink coffee and tea on campus.

Read more: Mormon church cuts ties with Boys Scouts for older teens

The university takes its Honor Code seriously. In 2011, the school booted star basketball player Brandon Davies from the team after the university found out he was having premarital sex, a violation of the Honor Code's commitment to a "chaste and virtuous life."

The Mormon church, which founded the school, appeared to give the go-ahead on caffeinated soda in 2012. After an NBC News special on the religion, the church issued a blog post clarifying that its health guideline "does not mention the use of caffeine." However, the post said it does prohibit "hot drinks," specifically coffee and tea.

Did I just buy the first ever caffeinated Coke Zero Sugar sold in #BYU's Wilkinson Student Center?



Yes, yes I did. pic.twitter.com/zjKFFuQB6w — Christopher Jones (@ccjones13) September 21, 2017

The no-caffeinated-soft-drinks policy was developed at BYU in the mid-1950s. Jenkins said the original decision was based on the fact there wasn't interest in the drinks. That's no longer the case.

"Dining services rarely received requests for caffeinated soda," said Dean Wright, director of BYU's Dining Services. "Consumer preferences have clearly changed and requests have become much more frequent."

The school has a contract to offer only Coca-Cola products on products. It insists the change was not made for financial reasons.

"This decision was not based on financial considerations," Wright said. "We are simply working to meet the preferences of our customers."

Follow Sean Rossman on Twitter: @SeanRossman