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The Associated Students of UCLA Board of Directors convened for their monthly meeting Aug. 30, most of which was held in executive session for about two hours to discuss what board members described as “various topics” related to finances.

Among items discussed during the open session were the enterprise’s revenues and its relationship to groups under the ASUCLA umbrella, which includes the Undergraduate Students Association Council and all branches of Student Media.

As no University of California organizations are subject to the state’s open meeting laws other than the regents, ASUCLA is required only to abide by its own bylaws.

All ASUCLA meetings are open to the public except when a majority of the board votes to hold executive session – during which only board and committee members may be present, according to the board bylaws.

The state’s meeting laws allow closed session in specific cases, such as pending litigation or personnel. Though certain subjects need to be kept confidential, many students agree they deserve to know what changes are taking place on campus.

ASUCLA decides a wide range of what goes on in student life, from mandatory student fees to new construction projects.

In open session, ASUCLA revealed their Ackerman restaurant plans for the upcoming fall.

One of the changes will give orange chicken devotees something new to rave about after a summer of deprivation.

Construction on UCLA’s Panda Express is expected to be completed by the end of September with a brand-new look and faster service.

As it did before closing for renovation, Panda Express will split its current waiting line, which stretches out towards Ackerman’s entrance doors during lunchtime, into an express line and a regular line, said Richard Delia, chief financial director of ASUCLA.

The express line will be available to those who want to order single entries, and the regular line will be for larger orders.

“Waiting in line at Panda Express takes forever. That’s why I oftentimes look to other places for food,” said Vy Le, a second-year biology student.

Students who simply want something to snack on while they study expressed interest in being able to use an express line to get their food more quickly.

“I’m really looking forward to the reopening of the store,” said Tonie Wan, a second-year molecular, cell, and developmental biology student. “Ackerman’s a nice place to study, and not having to wait so long to get food from Panda Express is something I’ve wanted.”

Renovation on Panda Express was something that has undergone much planning, said Bob Williams, interim director of ASUCLA.

One concern was that the renewal of Panda Express would have to be done in stages during the school year, but ASUCLA was able to have the construction take place during the summer, Williams said.

He added that the renovation of Panda Express, the most popular eatery on campus based on sales, is part of an ongoing process to bring better services to students.

Another new food services coming in the fall is the Wooden Center’s Energy Zone, a 275 square foot food, drink and athletic clothing store.

Planned to open in November, Energy Zone will be a place where students can enjoy snacks and other foods while they work out.

“We do it for the greater good of the campus,” Delia said.