Disabled students on campus are furious over comments made by Mindy McCollum, Associated Students vice president for programs and services, concerning the appointment of a new director for their organization.

In yesterday's Arizona Daily Wildcat, McCollum denied having any personal conflict with Eric Olson, an optical engineering sophomore and candidate for director of the Association of Students with Disabilities.

However, former ASD director Brian McCracken, who attended a private meeting Monday with McCollum, said McCollum lied about her personal differences with Olson.

"She said she could not work with Eric," McCracken said. "She said she could not work with him personally."

Yesterday, McCollum admitted saying she felt Olson had a lack of respect for her, but added,"I did not base the decision on my personal feelings about Eric Olson."

McCollum said she selected Ann Fowler, a psychology sophomore, because she presented new ideas for ASD programs.

McCracken and other ASD members arranged Monday's meeting with McCollum to voice their objection to the appointment of Fowler as the new director. ASD members had recommended McCollum appoint Olson as the new director, based on his experience of advocacy for the disabled.

Fowler, who lost the use of her legs last year in an automobile accident, has no previous experience with the organization.

Olson was chairman of the ASD booth at Spring Fling last year, and has written numerous letters to the Arizona Attorney General concerning violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act on and around campus.

"I feel some of the disabled students are being narrow minded towards Ann Fowler," McCollum said. "Ann has some great ideas for the organization."

McCollum said she objected to the way ASD spent the money they were allocated by ASUA last year. They spent $690 on food, she said.

"Student money should not go towards pizza, salsa and drinks," McCollum said. "I felt like Ann, being an outsider, would focus on the issues rather than organizing parties."

Many disabled students also voiced concerns about other factors McCollum said she used to choose Fowler for the position.

Angelia Moore, a disabled veteran and accounting senior, said she was outraged by McCollum's statement, "Someone who has been disabled for 10 or 20 years may not be as sensitive to these issues."

Moore said McCollum's statement showed a lack of understanding and sensitivity toward people with disabilities.

"That is like saying, 'I just became a woman today, so I know more about being a woman than anyone else,'" Moore said.

McCracken said he was offended by McCollum's comment because it assumes that she knows what it is like to be disabled.

"You can ask any disabled person," he said. "The longer you are disabled, the more sensitive you become to your own disabilities and the disabilities of others around you."

McCollum acknowledged she does not know what it is like to have disabilities but said she was impressed with Fowler's unique perspective to being disabled.

"Fowler was walking around campus one day, and wheeling around it the next day," McCollum explained.

The Undergraduate Senate will vote tonight on the appointment of Fowler, as well as other programs and services directors. A simple majority is necessary for approval.

McCracken said he and other ASD members are in the process of signing a petition and writing letters that they plan to present at the Senate meeting.

"We (ASD) have worked hard to set up programs and improve the organization," McCracken said. "I will not let all of that hard work go down the drain."

Undergraduate Senate President Gilbert Davidson said the senators are all aware of the conflict with ASD and the issue will be discussed in depth before they vote on approval.

"I will remind the senators not to take sides on the issue of personality," Davidson explained. "The decision should be based on who is most qualified to do the job. Nothing else should matter."

The Undergraduate Senate meets at 6 p.m. in the Santa Rita Room of the Memorial Student Union.

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