It’s time for the Associated Students UCLA to think food.
Assuming the SAFE referendum passes, ASUCLA will be in a position
to transform the dining experience here at UCLA.
SAFE, which stands for Students, Activities, Facilities and
Employees, is a multi-million dollar referendum that will
eventually allow ASUCLA to rebuild and restructure all the campus
eateries. But money is useless without a good plan.
ASUCLA should have three main goals when reviewing its food
services master plan: atmosphere, selection and price.
The selection part of the equation will require a careful
balance between fast food and more healthy alternatives. At the
same time, ASUCLA will have to find a way to create social spaces
that draw students in for more than a quick bite. And, of course,
students don’t want to pay for the SAFE referendum only to
further subsidize ASUCLA through high food prices.
In other words, ASUCLA needs to create restaurants that are
efficient, serve quality food, provide inviting environments, and
are reasonably priced ““ a task it has struggled with in the
past.
It’s a tall order, but here are some suggestions to get
ASUCLA started:
UCLA doesn’t need more fast food chains. Yes,
Rubio’s Baja Grill and Panda Express are very popular on
campus, but neither of those chains is particularly cheap, nor do
they help create a social space in Ackerman Union.
ASUCLA should look to expand and improve its own operations.
Inviting Jamba Juice and Taco Bell might be the easy route, but
then students lose control over quality, price and atmosphere. The
chains also bring slimmer profit margins for the association, which
needs its food and retail operations to be as profitable and
affordable as possible.
ASUCLA should also explore the possibility of convertible
spaces. For example, a remodeled Cooperage could be a well-lit,
fast service outlet during the day and a cozy and inviting pub by
night.
A larger, remodeled Cooperage could incorporate pool tables and
air hockey games from the arcade, host more live music and comedy,
serve a bit of alcohol, and quickly become the choice spot for
students to spend their evenings.
In addition to the association’s focus on rebuilding
eateries, ASUCLA should look into rebuilding its menus.
Mucho Taco and Tropix, the homegrown versions of Taco Bell and
Jamba Juice, are in desperate need of improvement. The tacos and
smoothies served at these eateries simply don’t taste very
good. Finding new ingredients and improving the recipes would go a
long way toward making these outlets more compelling. Infusing the
food selection and quality of the North Campus Student Center into
Ackerman and the Bombshelter are just as important as renovating
the buildings.
Food prices must be kept reasonable. No one wants to pay $55 a
year to subsidize a student union only to be hit with a $7 lunch
bill. And if ASUCLA really cares about catering to students’
finances, it should work to help students on the Hill get more
reasonable exchange rates for their meal plans on campus.
ASUCLA has the potential to appeal to students’ hunger,
pocketbooks and need for social space. It must incorporate student
feedback to ensure it doesn’t miss the mark.