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ASUCLA employees cover Taco Bell’s sign with one for Shorty’s Subs, scheduled to open

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Problems complying with updated construction codes, specifically the outdated exhaust system which takes cooking by-products out of the kitchen, have led to unexpected delays.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