Hi John, This is a tough one because it sounds like they have been able to drink coffee in class and now they can't. This puts the instructor in a tough spot because he/she becomes the Greek messenger and has to enforce the new rule. I would try to make a joke of it and move quickly away from the rule meaning not let the students dwell on it and increase their frustration at not being able to drink coffee. The good news is that the next class will be a fresh start since they will not have ever been allowed to drink coffee in the class so they don't have a base upon which to build their complaint. Hope I understood this situation correctly. If I didn't let me know and we can talk further. Gary