Some students prefer a regular water bottle, but others are starting to sip in style.

Tumbler cups have recently become popular with some students.

Mark Bennion, associate professor in the marketing department, said students might use tumblers because they meet students’ needs better than regular water bottles.

“Any product that takes off meets someone’s needs in some way,” he said.

The idea of students using tumblers to cut down on the waste water bottles create is most likely not true, Bennion said.

“There may be a few that use them to create less waste, but the majority, no,” he said.

The convenience of the tumblers outweigh the effects they have on the environment, Bennion said.

“I don’t know if the environment necessarily scores very high with students,” he said.

Another reason Bennion said students use tumblers for the affordability.

“It appears to be cheaper than buying drinks and you have options as to what you can carry,” he said.

Senior Alexa Gasparro said she uses the cups because they are less expensive than buying individual bottles of juices.

“It’s easy and cheap, and it’s a one-time purchase,” she said.

The University bookstore offers options for different styles of tumblers from personalized cups to Bowling Green themes.

Students can stop at the bookstore’s Paparte station on the second floor to personalize their very own tumblers, key chains and iPhone 4 cases.

“We can print any name, sorority or initials,” said Heather Schortgen, an assistant merchandise manager at the bookstore. “It’s no additional cost to personalize.”

Schortgen said she sees mainly women carrying around personalized cups.

“They definitely have a girly aspect to them,” she said.

Some students choose to buy the tumblers as gifts for others.

“Around Christmas we had a lot of traffic,” Schortgen said. “Also, during rush with the big-little program we had a lot of people come in to get personalized cups.”

With the personalized tumblers becoming popular, the bookstore is selling quite a few.

“We sell a few hundred each year,” Schortgen said.

Heather Hayden, food service coordinator at the Union, said she sees many students carrying the tumblers.

“I notice when students carry the cute ones around,” she said.

Hayden said she feels students use these tumblers for many different reasons.

“It’s a good way to save money and save the environment,” she said. “I have several at home; they are very handy.”