ASUCLA responds to students’ concerns

The Associated Students of UCLA board of directors decided to
respond to unfavorable student sentiments regarding the removal of
popular campus eatery Taco Bell during its monthly meeting
Friday.

Undergraduate Representative Emmanuel Martinez said the board
has not done a good job informing students of the process
surrounding the Taco Bell issue and that the board is “out of
touch with the community.”

Yousef Tajsar, a fellow undergraduate representative,
agreed.

“We need to let students understand what issues were
considered in making the decision,” Tajsar said.

Interim Executive Director Bob Williams also said he recognizes
the “need to tell students why we did what we did” and
proposed Martinez write a Daily Bruin Viewpoint column this week to
show the process of the board decision.

He also proposed the board print a press release in The Bruin
this week to present the united board position regarding Taco
Bell’s presence on campus. Other board members agreed and
approved both plans.

To replace Taco Bell, ASUCLA plans to install Shorty’s
Subs at the eatery’s former location at Campus Corner and
have it open for business today. It also plans to open a new
restaurant called Mucho Taco in the Cooperage to fill student need
for low-cost Mexican food, the board said.

The board decided to end Taco Bell’s contract on campus
Oct. 22 following allegations of labor abuse within the
company’s tomato suppliers in Florida. The decision wrapped
up a yearlong debate over the eatery’s place at UCLA,
pleasing some students but angering others.

Students circulated petitions last week calling for the
reinstatement of Taco Bell, arguing the majority of students want
the eatery to stay. Others argued that Taco Bell could not control
the wages set by its tomato suppliers and should not be held
responsible.

Students in favor of removing Taco Bell praised ASUCLA’s
decision and its willingness to address the labor allegations.

Also at Friday’s meeting, Williams said Panda Express
failed a ventilation test conducted as part of its ongoing
renovation Friday morning, adding the inspector would stay all day
for re-tests.

Originally, the remodeling of Panda Express ““ which began
in early summer ““ was scheduled for completion by
September.

Problems complying with updated construction codes, specifically
the outdated exhaust system which takes cooking by-products out of
the kitchen, have led to unexpected delays.

Once Panda passes the ventilation test, Williams said he expects
it to re-open in two weeks.