ASUCLA, USAC discuss eatery issue

Members of the undergraduate student government had the
opportunity to interact with the newly-appointed head of the
Associated Students of UCLA at Tuesday night’s general
meeting, where the issue of the removal of the Taco Bell eatery
took center stage.

The Undergraduate Students Association Council was introduced to
ASUCLA Interim Director Bob Williams, who will officially replace
current ASUCLA Director Patricia Eastman on Jan. 1.

Williams has had a history with ASUCLA for more than 20 years.
He was a former student at UCLA, and worked his way up to become
the Director of Food Services.

After seven years in office, Eastman announced her resignation
on Sept. 26. Because of Williams’ experiences working with
students throughout his career with ASUCLA, Eastman told council
that she trusts him to do a good job.

“I have really grown to respect and appreciate his
talents,” Eastman said.

After his introduction to council, Williams discussed the
possibility of Taco Bell’s removal from campus. Due to Taco
Bell’s purchasing of tomatoes from companies that allegedly
mistreat their workers, ASUCLA’s services committee voted to
recommend the eatery’s removal in a meeting on Nov. 14.
ASUCLA’s Board of Directors will make the final decision in a
Dec. 5 meeting.

Several councilmembers addressed concerns about the effect the
possible removal of the eatery would have on its employees

Because the Taco Bell workers on the campus eatery are employees
of ASUCLA, not Taco Bell, Williams assured councilmembers that the
employees would not lose their jobs if the eatery is removed.

Williams added that he did not have a particular stance on the
Taco Bell issue yet, but said he understood both sides.

“The love and commitment of the students is great to see,
but on the other hand, students fought hard to get Taco Bell on
campus 10 years ago,” Williams said.

Members of the Social Justice Alliance briefed councilmembers at
the meeting and thanked USAC for its support. On Nov. 18, USAC
unanimously passed the Resolution Against the Taco Bell on the UCLA
campus.

Nathan Lam, a member of the Social Justice Alliance, told
council he felt confident the eatery would be removed.

“We feel that truth and justice are on our side,”
Lam said. “We trust the Board of Directors to make the right
decision.”

Williams is a figure councilmembers will have to work and
interact with while he is interim director.

One pending issue that affects all organizations falling under
the ASUCLA umbrella is a referendum to improve Ackerman Union
services, which has been put on hold due to USAC objections.

Due to USAC’s objections about ASUCLA taking over
council’s programs, the services committee is currently
re-addressing the initiative, which has no timeline to be
completed, said committee chairwoman Dria Fearn.