Disabled students rally to keep ASD active

Kristy Mangos Arizona Daily Wildcat Disabled students showed up in the Associated Students' offices Friday after learning that the Association of Students with Disabilities may not be an ASUA program next year.

"We were concerned. We wanted to clear it up," said Brian McCracken, a family studies sophomore and former director of ASD.

"Every other minority organization has its own program and service. I think the disabled students should have their own too," he said.

Last week, Mindy McCollum, ASUA vice president for programs and services, did not forward ASD bylaws to the Undergraduate Senate for approval.

The Senate voted Wednesday on its own bylaws, as well as the bylaws for programs and services and clubs and organizations.

The bylaws will supplement the new constitution ASUA ratified in February. The constitution becomes effective May 1, when the newly elected ASUA officers take their positions.

Unless the Senate approves ASD bylaws, the organization will not exist as an ASUA program and will not receive funding from ASUA.

McCollum said she did not include ASD in the bylaws she forwarded to the Senate because she received a report from the organization's director that ASD was not an active part of ASUA this year.

McCollum said she believed there was no interest in keeping ASD active.

This year, of ASD's $1,710 budget, the only expenditure was a $26.10 advertisement in the Arizona Daily Wildcat. Last year, ASD's budget was $1,300, and it spent $1,215.11.

ASD Director Ann Fowler, a psychology sophomore, said the program needs more membership and group participation.

"If it's not going to improve from what it is now, I don't think it should be a part of ASUA," she said.

Eric Olson, an optical engineering sophomore, said he found out about the cut Thursday when the Daily Wildcat called him to ask about the change. He said ASUA made no attempt to contact him.

"I don't think the vice president has the power to erase an organization like that, and that's exactly what she's doing," Olson said.

ASD members nominated Olson to become this year's ASD director. McCollum appointed Fowler, despite objections from several ASD members who said she lacked the experience necessary to lead the organization.

Fowler had no previous experience with ASD before her appointment as director.

Many disabled students boycotted ASD this year because of the dispute over the directorship.

"It was a sign of protest that we didn't agree with the decisions that were made," said John Olson, a graduate student in electrical engineering.

McCollum said ASD is no longer necessary because of services provided through CeDRR.

"They will always have a voice through CeDRR," McCollum said.

McCracken disagreed. He said CeDRR and ASD serve different purposes for disabled students.

He said CeDRR is a resource center available to disabled students in compliance with the American Disabilities Act.

The mission of ASD is to promote awareness among students, faculty and staff about students with disabilities, he explained.

McCracken said that under his leadership last year, ASD was involved in the Campus Health Fair and Spring Fling to promote themselves in the community.

McCracken said the students want a chance to turn the program around next year.

"We are a student organization," he said. "We want to be involved with other students."

John Olson said, "We should be given a chance to start over."

Jim Drnek, ASUA's adviser, said ASD was cut without approval from the Senate because of problems that arise from creating a new constitution.

Because a new constitution was created, any area of ASUA that the Senate does not vote on is automatically cut, Drnek said.

McCollum forwarded all other programs and services bylaws to the Senate for a vote.

The Senate voted to cut Academic Services, ASUA Concerts and Inter-Club Council.

The Senate unanimously approved bylaws for Campus Acquaintance Rape Educators, Escort Services, the International Students Association, the Minority Action Council, Spring Fling and the Women's Resource Center. The Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Association was approved 5-2 after Sens. Lauren Sliger and Chadd Garcia argued that an organization geared toward a small group of students should not be funded by an ASUA budget line item.

BGALA members disagreed, saying the group serves the entire community by informing the campus of its issues.

The Senate will discuss and vote on ASD's bylaws at its meeting Wednesday at 5:30 p.m, said Tara Taylor, ASUA administrative vice president-elect. The location of the meeting has not yet been announced.

Taylor said the bylaws will be on the agenda because the disabled students told her and Drnek that they supported ASD.

"We will try to start all over again to make a beneficial program for the students," she said. "Every organization has a bad year."