The Observer Newspaper

Do I have what it takes to make the team?

2009-10-19T14:22:00.002-04:00

Soccer enthusiast, editor tries out for soccer team

By Igor Mello
Editor-in-Chief

I’m still waiting for my phone call. Whenever my phone rings I jump, only to be consistently let down by my mother or anybody with less relevance calling me.

Every high school athlete that has never played in college still has that itch. They still point and shout at the TV during a game. They still dream that they have a shot at being a superstar.
I just want to keep the dream alive. I needed to scratch my itch.

That opportunity arose when the college approved the new extramural soccer team. This was my chance. It’s just a community college, how much talent can there possibly be out here?

Boy, was I wrong.

There were roughly 130 pairs of cleats clicking and clacking on the pitch on the first day of tryouts. I was merely an ant in an ant pile. The school anticipated about 400 people to tryout despite only having 18 spots available. Though the odds weren’t on my side, I thought I’d still give it a try.

Haitian soccer legend and Broward College’s head soccer coach Ernst “Nono” Jean-Baptiste had a tough job on his hands, so I made sure I got there early to meet him, that way he’d remember my face.

He explained to the players that he’s not looking for anything fancy. “I want to see how you position yourself on the field,” Jean-Baptiste said to the crowd of players before we began to fight for our soccer lives.

The only positioning I did was placing my heavy foot on top of the ball and busting my butt. The pain from the fall was unbearable, but I quickly hopped back up and continued the drills, concealing my pain. Luckily, Jean-Baptiste’s peripheral vision didn’t reach my side of the field.

After the drills, Jean-Baptiste gathered the gang around to start some scrimmages. My eyes locked with his eyes as he walked around searching for captains. It was as if my eyes told him to choose me.

Once Jean-Baptiste appointed me as captain, I felt as if I was the head coach. My leadership skills were on full display as I directed all my teammates to their positions.
“If you score a goal, the other team will give me 10 push-ups,” said Jean-Baptiste, who also added that 20 push-ups would be awarded to the opposing team if we completed 10 consecutive passes.

The scrimmage only lasted 10 minutes, but that was no excuse for me. I was still dissatisfied with my performance. On any day two assists would look great, but on a tryout night, two assists didn’t feel like it was enough.

Despite not getting the call, there is not an ounce of bitterness in me. I have no regrets. My performance may have not stood out among the greats, but I didn’t stink up the field. Just to know that I can hang with the big boys made me feel like I still had it. My sore, bruised body will remind me each day for the following week that I got to relive my dream of being a soccer star. I’ll probably have an itch to play again once that pain goes away, but in the meantime, my bruises will be treated as a badge of honor.

Sky Kings

2009-10-19T14:21:00.001-04:00

By Jessica Poitevien Staff Writer

“We have to fly.”
Those simple words can be announced at anytime. For the pilots of Electronic News Gathering (ENG) helicopters, those words start the workday.
Within minutes their jet engines are revved up, ready for action. The sound of helicopter blades rhythmically beating fills the air. With an address and clearance from the control tower, the pilots take off into the skies, unsure of what to expect.
These pilots are specially trained to operate ENG helicopters. Flying for all the major news networks, including NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX, they chase the news all over Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
“It’s a totally different realm because it’s not just picking up, flying and landing. It’s moving into a position and being able to hold the helicopter there,” said Danny Mangano, an aerial photojournalist.
When they’re not covering the news, these helicopters can be seen waiting on their platforms at North Perry Airport as Broward College students make their way to South Campus.
Each day these pilots and their choppers tell the stories of South Florida, but behind the airport gates, they have their own story.
The Business of News
The workday of ENG helicopter pilots and reporters can be full of surprises. Despite the unpredictable nature of the job, every day starts off at the Helicopters Inc. office and helicopter hanger at North Perry Airport.
Since its 1978 founding, Helicopters Inc. has become one of the largest helicopter leasing companies in the nation with about 70 news organizations across the U.S. using their services. Their first contract in Miami-Dade and Broward was signed in 1998 with CBS 4. Channels 6, 7 and 10 soon followed suit and Helicopters Inc. now leases all ENG helicopters flying for English news stations in both counties.
Before these news networks started using Helicopters Inc., they kept aircrafts at their own stations. When breaking news happened and a helicopter was needed, a reporter would drive to the station where a pilot would be waiting, but this wasted time and money.
“If the reporter gets stuck in traffic, the story is still occurring. It’s not going to stop for you,” said Ralph Rayburn from Channel 7 Skyforce. After over 20 years of doing ground reporting and helicopter reporting, Rayburn advocated having full-time journalists dedicated to waiting at an airport and covering stories from the air when needed.
“We missed enough stories and we missed enough video that they finally tanked on me about three years ago and asked me to do this full time,” Rayburn, who has flown approximately 18,500 hours in his career, said.
Helicopters Inc. provides its clients with the aircraft, a pilot and a photojournalist if necessary. These pilots and reporters are stationed at the airport waiting for the signal from their news stations to cover a story. When their workday is over at 6 p.m., they are still on call in case a major story occurs overnight.
“This is basically a waiting game. You never know when there is going to be breaking news,” Mangano said.
Danger in the Skies
July 27, 2007 in Phoenix, Arizona: Four people are killed when two ENG helicopters collide.
October 13, 2008 in Houston Texas: A pilot employed by Helicopters Inc. and a photographer are killed when their helicopter crashes.
The ENG helicopter pilots and reporters may work hours similar to a 9 to 5 job, but their line of work is far from typical. Each time they fly, they take a risk.
Ramsowr can attest to the fact that some dangers of the job are unpredictable. One night while following a police chase, Ramsowr was thoroughly entertained as he watched the suspect weave through traffic while waving a bottle of Jack Daniel’s rum outside of his car window.
“Those things are exciting. They’re fun little changes from the monotony of going to a car accident because they eventually all look the same,” Ramsowr said.
What happened next was unexpected. The driver grabbed a gun and pointed it directly at Ramsowr’s helicopter which was hovering 500 feet above. Ramsowr immediately backed away. “He could’ve hit me. It would’ve been a lucky shot, but still, all it takes is one,” he said.
ENG pilots can do nothing to prepare for such unanticipated circumstances, but they train to prevent more common safety issues such as engine failure, emergency landing and awareness of their surroundings.
Communication between pilots is vital to preventing accidents like the Phoenix incident. Each helicopter has a radio that allows them to speak with other pilots and the control tower. When several helicopters are covering the same story they stagger their altitudes and notify each other before moving positions.
“Our first thing is safety. No news story is worth the safety of a pilot,” Mangano said.
The people flying and reporting in helicopters risk their lives to report the news, but their main concern is returning home safely.
“Everybody works together. Even though we’re competitors everybody knows everybody and it’s a professional operation,” Rayburn said. “It’s not a bunch of cowboys up there flying around chasing after stuff.”

Make up 101: From frightning to funny faces

2009-10-19T14:18:00.001-04:00

By Jillian Goltzman
South Bureau Chief

Ghastly ghosts, gruesome ghouls and candid clowns can be seen lurking around the shadows of Central Campus. Think this is just a Halloween scare? Think again. Every Monday at 6 p.m. at Bailey Hall on Central Campus students gather to learn frightening-to-funny stage makeup techniques from the Associate Dean of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, Deborah Kondelik.
Casually walking into Building 4, Room 164 you can find students like Natalia Chmielewska painted up as a cross between Darth Maul and Princess Amidala from Star Wars, Britni Serrano sitting quaintly while painting her face into the looks of the Joker and his sweetheart Harley Punn from Batman, and student Justin Hazan merging the worlds of the popular Homer Simpson with “a dark emperor.” On the student’s Oct. 12 class, Kondelik approached the students with the project of creating the image of “contrasting characters” on their faces.
In addition to Kondelik’s contrasting characters assignment, she said her students will learn “corrective makeup, which is correcting any perceived flaws a person may have, straight-up makeup, which is learning how to accentuate the actual look that the actors have so they can appear more three-dimensional to the audience, and character makeup, which ranges from fantasy, old age, facial hair, wig styles, facial structure alterations, prosthetic makeup and airbrush makeup.”
The creativity of Kondelik’s Makeup for Stage and Television class is not only open to theater students, but to everyone. Kondelik’s students range in majors and passions.
Chmielewska, a psychology major in Kondelik‘s class, describes the course as an opportunity to be “creative and productive at the same time.” Chmielewski, who is considering a minor in theater, said, “It is more fun for me to create something and be backstage.”
Hazan, art and graphic design student is taking the makeup course to improve his makeup skills while working on his acting.
With the plummet of the economy taking place and the amount of unemployed actors battling for the same roles all over the country, what can be made of what Chmielewska considers “not a safe market?” Is technical theater a safer route than performance theater?
Hazan said, “It is best to know all aspects of theater so that you have a handle on everything.” Serrano, musical theater major and stage makeup student, later chimed in, “It’s really interesting to know the different ways of doing things because you’re never going to have professional people doing your makeup; You’re always going to end up doing your own.”
Kondelik strongly believes that every person should ask themselves “What do I want to be doing for the rest of my life?” She encourages theater students to learn all aspects of theater. “It doesn’t hurt to know a lot of things, you may find your forte,” she said. “We are all just pieces of the puzzle and the director sits back and puts those pieces together,” added Kondelik.
Kondelik, who transposed from the billboards to the chalk boards, revealed “I’m so happy [with] what I do. I was a professional actress before I got into education and I love it and it is fabulous! You have got to do something you love and the rewards will come if you put in the effort.”
For students interested in the Makeup for Stage and Television course, but were too late to sign up for the class, there is good news: students can get involved in workshops offered by Kondelik herself. Prosthetic makeup workshops, just in time for Halloween, can be taken. The upcoming date is Oct. 22 in room 165, Building 4 and students like Allen Grujesku, a former makeup student of Kondelik’s, will be learning about the prosthetic side of makeup and the eerie touches that will make a Halloween costume go from ordinary to outstanding.
Grujesku, who aspires to own a hair and makeup salon in the future, said, “You can go to the store and buy a mask appliance, but it’s not going to look great, it’s not going to stay on your face and by the end of the night you are going to look [like] a mess! If you make it yourself, you get the satisfaction of being able to say you made it and it’s more aesthetically pleasing.”
With Halloween around the corner, several of the students plan to use their newfound makeup techniques to dress up their costumes. Serrano giggled, “My brother wants to be a vampire so I’ll see what I can do with it!” Grujesku revealed he “spent hours” doing his friends’ makeup during the spooky season last year.
The makeup techniques will be displayed in the upcoming play “Artificial Jungle” debuting on Oct. 28 and playing until Nov. 8 on Central Campus. Both Chmielewska and Serrano will be doing the stage makeup for the production. Director and theater professor Mariah Johnson said, “It’s a very funny, spooky, thrilling play! It’s perfect for Halloween!”
Further into the future, from Dec. 11-13, students can take a trip into Oz while watching the musical “All About Oz,” which has been created by director and professor Jett Canary. The musical features songs from major musicals like “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz” and “Wicked.”
Canary revealed, “This performance art version is set in a modern day ‘PhilOZophy’ class where a substitute professor casts spells on students, making our favorite Oz characters come to life.”
To take part in the fun of Kondelik’s Makeup for Stage and Television course, all a student needs is “the desire to practice” according to Kondelik.
“It’s a lot of fun and even if you’ve never played with makeup before, it’s a way to be really creative. It is different than doing art where you are sitting in the classroom, painting. You get to actually do it by yourself and you can totally transform yourself,” said Grujesku.

Over 350 students try out for new soccer club

2009-10-19T14:16:00.001-04:00

By Igor Mello
Editor-in-Chief

Sophomore Fazlin Miller, mass communications major, was walking down the hallways of Central Campus as she stumbled upon a bulletin board and sophomore Antonio Corbett, accounting major, had heard rumors so he logged on to the school website to see if it was true. The school was forming a soccer club and both students wanted to be involved.

They weren’t the only ones that wanted to participate.

The Broward College baseball complex was host to over 350 students for three days to see who had what it takes to make the men’s and women’s soccer team.

“Why not try this? It’s always interesting to discover new talent,” said newly appointed head coach of the men’s team Ernst “Nono” Jean-Baptiste. “You never know where you’re going to find the next Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka.”

A legend in the Haitian and South Florida soccer community, Jean-Baptiste was looking for smart players that can play team ball. On the other hand Patti Barney, head coach of the women’s team, is looking for “technical skills” in her players.

One thing these two leaders do have in common is that they want to win.

“I’m looking to be in the championship of the Broward Women’s Soccer league at the end of the season. We have a lot of work to do to get the girls in shape…” said Barney, who has been coaching for 28 years.

Miller, who was trying out for the center midfield position, found that out the hard way.
“I thought it was going to be easy [for me] but that wasn’t the case,” said Miller, who felt she was being unrealistic because she was out of shape going into tryouts. “Now I actually feel like this is going to be a bit of a challenge.”

Corbett, who is trying out for the sweeper position, felt confident about his performance. Despite playing hurt, he felt like did the simple things, which was what Jean-Baptiste was looking for.
“I knew I had a sore ankle so I know I couldn’t give it my best, but I was hoping I could at least stand out [from] everybody else,” said Corbett.

As of Oct. 9 both players are still unaware if they have made the squad.

According to Neil Cohen, Associate Vice President of Student Programs and Development Services, both teams are hoping to have made their cuts by Oct. 25 so they can start practices.

“The most important thing is [for the guys] to enjoy this [experience] but I want to represent the school well everywhere we go and then we can see if we can have a winning program,” said Jean-Baptiste.

Although the inaugural season is set to start in January, both teams will scrimmage other opponents in the community to train for the winter.

Barney has hopes of soccer becoming one of the more popular sports here at the school.
“Hopefully if the talent is there maybe we can make it an intercollegiate sport the following year,” said Barney.

Making green out of being green

2009-10-19T14:13:00.001-04:00

By Clayton Gutzmore - Staff Writer
& Kelly Rivera - Copy editor

Money doesn’t grow on trees but it does come out of trash, and Broward College proves this theory by practicing sustainability. Sustainability is exercising the habits of recycling and reducing your carbon footprint on Earth; whether it’s throwing an empty bottle in the recycling bin or turning off the light or fan in a room, it’s all about reducing the amount of energy and waste we create to make Earth a better place.
BC has its very own Environmental Sustainability Committee whose goal is to coordinate efforts to increase environmental literacy and spread environmental awareness through out the campuses. The college-wide committee is co-chaired by Alex Denis, Associate Vice President of Procurement, and Sean Devaney, Manager of Facilities on South Campus. “The committee meets to discuss issues that have an impact on campus life, review policies, [and] suggest new policy. Simply, we all have an interest in providing a safe, clean and environmentally sound campus community for our students, faculty, staff and community partners,” said Devaney.
Each campus has its own individual committee that handles the sustainability issues. According to Dr. Peggy Green, professor of Natural Science at North Campus and member of the Sustainability Committee, the committee is recommending the college hire a Sustainability Director to oversee issues like recycling and energy conservation and to infuse sustainability in the curriculum.
BC has benefited from sustainability by using the TerraCycle program, run by Jarrod Hersh, Senior Financial Aid Advisor for South Campus.
This program involves taking candy wrappers, potato chip bags and other disposable items and sending them to TerraCycle. They then make products to sell out of the trash and pay about $0.02 for each item which funds the Michelle A. Lawless Scholarship.

According to Dr. Green, BC has saved $8.5 million over a 10-year period with these energy saving measures.
By using these methods and recycling, BC also reduces the release of carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the air. “BC is an institution of higher learning, we are teaching the leaders of tomorrow. How our graduates conserve and consume will be influenced by the values they learn here at BC,” said Dr. Green.
She encourages sustainability among students and staff members. “Our future and that of all life on Earth depends on humans learning to live in a sustainable way that does not use the Earth’s resources faster than the Earth can generate them,” said Dr. Green.
Student participation is a factor for sustainable living at BC and many students have embraced the cause by participating in campus projects like promoting sustainable campus dining and maintaining the native landscape.
“Student groups are supportive and active in committee initiatives such as the campus environmental fairs, electronic recycling, paper & comingled recycling, wild flower gardens, campus clean-up [of] cigarette butts, book recycling programs and the graduation pledge,” says Devaney. BC graduates are given the opportunity to sign a pledge stating they will be green in all of their endeavors after graduation.
The committee is trying to bring Trash to Treasure, a creative reuse center, to South Campus for Environmental Awareness Week in Feb. 2010. Trash to Treasure is a nonprofit organization that locates and finds clean reusable material to redistribute as educational and artistic resources.
Specifically, BC’s Sustainability Committee on North Campus is in the process of upgrading the parking lot lighting to concrete poles with LED lights. “Not only will the fixture use less energy, the lamps will last up to fifteen years,” said Devaney.
He goes on to say that President J. David Armstrong and the college administration are very much in support of college-wide sustainability initiatives. Dr. Green believes that students are supportive, “From my interactions with students from North, I would say, yes, enthusiastically.”
“It is a continuous process of considering sustainability in all decisions, at all levels, both at work and home,” said Devaney. Denis added, “Our sustainable practices will also call for us to prepare our students for a world in which sustainability will be at the forefront of every decision from the boardroom to the classroom.”
BC is turning 50 years old next semester and the committee would like students to submit their theme ideas for Environmental Awareness Week in February. For more information, log on to the BC website.

Stir up your knowledge in the Brain Bowl

2009-10-19T14:10:00.002-04:00

By Faithful Okoye
Staff Writer

Ever been asked some of the most obscure questions and didn’t know the answer? What is the biggest lake in Japan? Who was the last president of the Soviet Union? What Virginia airport was named after the former secretary of state? Most college students may answer with something along the lines of “Japan has lakes?” “What’s the Soviet Union?” and “Who even lives in Virginia anyway?” Broward College Brain Bowl students may just be the exception. On Sept. 23 and 24, BC’s Brain Bowl team held tryouts in Central Campus’ Central Café.
The Brain Bowl is an academic competition for community colleges that tests participants knowledge of everything from math to religion.
Last year, the Brain Bowl team had math professor Rob Fusco as their leading coach. This year, assistant math professor Jeffrey Guild and behavioral science professor Ronnie Rothschild will be leading the team.
There are two different types of competitions involved. The first is the main Brain Bowl Competition that includes all Florida community colleges. The other competition, the National Association of Quiz Tourneys (NAQT), involves all American universities as well as community colleges.
Last year, during the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) Tournament, BC’s Blue Team finished the tournament in first place with an undefeated record and BC’s White Team finished the tournament in second place.
For the NAQT tournament, the Blue team finished the round robin, a tournament where each contestant meets every other contestant in turn, in a tie for first place. They lost the championship match to Valencia’s Red Team, finishing in second place. The White team finished in sixth place.
Guild says that the tryouts held were a gauge to find out who would be the best students able to tackle the match.
There are two teams with five players but only four team members out of the five actually play. When one team plays, the other wouldn’t, and vice versa.Guild says it is not too late to join, “If you show up and you do well, of course, we would look at you as a potential.”
During practice, the buzzer is kept on the table and the first person to press the buzzer gets the chance to answer. If they don’t get the answer right, it’s passed on to the next person to press the buzzer. It is offered in a similar way as the actual Brain Bowl competition is presented.
In the Brain Bowl competition, the judge starts with a question that anyone may answer by buzzing in but this time without discussing the question with other team members. “If the answer is correct, the team gets to participate in a 20-point bonus round.” The team may discuss the question at this time, “but they must answer in 10 seconds.” The team with the most points at the end of this round wins the competition, according to the BC Honors Institute website.
Brain Bowl team members are awarded scholarships for their contribution to the team.
“It’s also a lot of fun,” Guild said. “The people who participate in Brain Bowl have fun and they enjoy representing Broward College.”
Students wonder if the competition is difficult and in response, Guild compared the game to other sports like football. To the spectator or someone looking from the outside, it probably looks hard, but that is not the same for the football players. Yes, they work hard, but they don’t see the game as hard. They are playing to have fun and to do the best they can.
The returning players from last year are Chris Pannier, Marc Warrior and Paul Rowe.
“I’m excited for this year,” said Pannier. “I’m excited because we have a lot of motivated students, but it’s always a tough competition.”
“I think we’re going to have a really strong team this year. We have strong players and we’ve met new players that look very promising as well,” said Guild.
Practice is held every Tuesday and Thursday in Building 9/Room 101 and Building 1/Room 140.
For more information, contact Professor Jeffrey Guild or Professor Ronnie Rothschild at jguild@broward.edu or rothsch@broward.edu.

Adding Latin Spice to the annual Chili Cook-off

2009-10-19T14:06:00.003-04:00

By Vanessa Chang
Central Bureau Chief

What could be spicier than a Chili Cook-off? The ingredients can be found in a tablespoon of salsa, tunes and a buffet of authentic Spanish cuisine to complement bowls of chili stirred with a healthy serving of competition.
On Oct. 6 students gathered on Central Campus to appease the appetite of not only their hunger but fun at the merging of Broward College’s Chili Cook-off and Hispanic Heritage Festival. The cook-off took place in the courtyard and was followed by a Latin dance competition.
Omoy Watson, Programming Coordinator of Student Life and the Student Programming Association (S.P.A.D.E.S.) said, “Our Chili Cook-off is usually a separate event, and we usually do a country theme. This year we wanted to incorporate both of them and make it an event bigger and better.”
Student Life and S.P.A.D.E.S. were out early prepping the courtyard area behind Building 19 with tables, decorations, coolers with soda and getting a stage together.
Around noon, the Chili Cook-off began to boil, and students noticed the free food.
Live music was provided by The Javier Mendoza Band on a center stage directly across from the chili contestants.
The judges critiquing the chili were two student government officers and one S.P.A.D.E.S member.
There were 12 teams; each team involved represented a student club, organization or faculty.
Last year’s winning team, Team Showtime, was confident about their homemade chili, said team captain Johnny Burgess. “Special people make special chili,” shouted Team Showtime member Arturio McCrea.
Even though chili is a dish that is often associated with ingredients like ground beef, tons of beans and spicy secrets; it would not be enough to sway the judge’s taste buds.
After approximately an hour of debating, the judges grabbed the microphone to pronounce Phi Theta Kappa’s team, Save the Beef, Eat the Turkey, the winner.
Team captain Cara Malave said, “I was up until midnight making the chili.” Malave turned to her Puerto Rican roots to spice up the chili with traditional Hispanic ingredients like sofrito.
Team Save the Beef, Eat the Turkey, won a $200 voucher in sponsor money and a trophy. Second place went to the Phi Beta Lambda and third place went to the Dean’s Office.
After announcing the winners, there was a smooth transition from the Chili Cook-off to the Hispanic Festival.
Free yellow rice, tostones platanos, maduros platanos, pastries and Spanish sodas were available. The line that formed measured the length of the courtyard, about 60 students.
Many of the female members from S.P.A.D.E.S. were dressed in festive red dresses, while the male members were dressed in sombreros and colorful ponchos.
After the winners of the cook-off were announced, 10 students paired off for the Latin dance competition.
As the heat reached its peak, the dancing began and after the first elimination, a huge crowd of students formed to watch the remaining four pairs dance in the next round.
From this point the judges would eliminate two pairs, scoring based on chemistry, energy and variety of movement. The final round had two couples dance to the same song for first place.
William Cubas, President of the Salsa Club, and Bernadette Orellana, member of the Salsa Club, won a trophy and a Phillips portable DVD player. All participants won movie vouchers.
“I feel we devote the same importance to all of our cultural events,” said Watson.
Student Life and S.P.A.D.E.S. put a lot of effort into making sure the events are executed to their full potential. They begin planning fall events in the summer, ensuring the success of each activity. Martin Fitzgerald, S.P.A.D.E.S. member since 2007, explained his thoughts about what it takes to make an event like the Chili Cook-off a reality: “A lot of team work, organization and communication.”
Watson said the event went well and felt the big turnout was proof of its success.

Shhh! Don't ask, Don't tell events held at Central Campus

2009-10-19T14:05:00.001-04:00

By Farrah Fleitman
Staff Writer

This past year President Barack Obama proposed the plan to repeal the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Meanwhile hundreds of miles away from the White House, this past semester Broward College’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) managed to upstage the president by creating the “Do ask, do tell” policy!
Homosexual students and supporters of equality assembled on Central Campus on Oct. 8 for the “Do Ask, Do Tell” informational session, which not only raised awareness and answered questions, but also provided a warm, welcoming and judgment-free environment for students to share their experiences.
For Andrew Dutka, Archives Librarian and GSA Advisor, it was “a personal goal to host a college-wide event celebrating and recognizing National Coming Out Day,” which was Oct. 11, and hopes to “use this as a building block to have more events coming up next year.”
A panel was assembled consisting of student members Andrew C. Frosch and Amy Miller, Charles Miller, Transportation Coordinator for the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, and Jim Gigliello, local LGBT Rights Activist, who is in the process of publishing a comprehensive book on the history of the movement’s pioneers, such as Harvey Milk.
Panel members addressed such questions as, “Is the media supporting the gay community or portraying them in a negative light?” For instance, movies and television shows can give an incorrect or exaggerated idea of what being gay really is.
“I don’t want to offend anybody who likes “Will & Grace,” but growing up watching that I thought, ‘Wow, I don’t feel the way they do,’” said Frosch.
The forum also discussed how to deal with offensive and derogatory terms based on one’s sexual preference.
“Instead of [opting for] resentment and futile loathing, I’ve chosen to see those people [who are offensive] as an opportunity for growth,” said Frosch.
There was a general sentiment of unity at the event and had a powerful force driving people to push for equality. During the discussion, a student in the audience commented, “It’s up to us to change those stereotypes.”
Also mentioned was the example set by Rosa Parks, and how one valiant effort led to countless accomplishments for the Civil Rights Movement.
It was said that the gay community should follow in those footsteps and continue working to change oppressive legislature.
Students are taking a proactive approach toward their rights and there will be a video, based on the ideas of what love is, submitted to Congress by the GSA in hopes of changing preconceived notions.
Students shared their own coming out stories, and how some found acceptance from their family members to be difficult.
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is an organization which provides support for those going through a complicated time.
The question of identity was also brought up. “It’s a part of me but it’s not who I am,” said panelist Amy Miller. This was argued by Gigliello, who stated, “it IS who I am, I want everyone to know.” There are divisions within the community regarding ideas and lifestyle choices, but this is also interpreted as freedom of expression.
“Do Ask, Do Tell” succeeded in providing answers and a comfortable environment in which to discuss them. “I’m very grateful for the GSA to put this event together...I’m thrilled,” said Dutka.
A great deal of work was put into it by GSA members including Vice President Rodrigo Labbe, who moderated the questions. “I was amazed by the turnout,” said Labbe. “I feel like I’m definitely doing this for the right reasons.”
Despite the hardships faced by the community, they continue to press forward in togetherness.
“We’re a big family... We come from different places and we’re different colors but we’re all a family,” said Gigliello. “It’s okay to be different. The difference is what makes the rainbow.”
Interested in joining the Gay Straight Alliance? Meetings are held every other Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Central Park Cafe on Central Campus. For more information, e-mail Andrew Dutka at adutka@broward.edu.

Fit4Life: New club to help students stay fit at South Campus

2009-10-19T14:03:00.002-04:00

By Jessica Poitevien
Staff Writer

With obesity and weight-related diseases reaching near epidemic levels in the United States, three Broward College students have taken a stand and created a new club, Fit4Life, which is designed to help its members improve their overall health.
It all started last year when Fit4Life advisor, Denise Brown, began discussing the importance of health and fitness with Melanie Tuitt, the president of Fit4Life. They both agreed that something needed to be done to help students become healthier.
“It was an idea that our advisor, Denise Brown, had and little by little it grew to what we have now with club officers and a few members,” Tuitt said.
The road to where Fit4Life currently stands was a hectic one according to Tuitt. Since last year Tuitt and Brown have been working to get students interested in this club, which would act as a support group to help people meet their health goals.
After a health and fitness workshop hosted by the Success Center prompted Fit4Life vice president, Marie Domond and secretary, Adriana Brito, to get involved, this new team of four began by promoting their group at Club Rush on South Campus.
With 27 new members joining Fit4Life, Tuitt said she considers Club Rush a success and gives some credit to their healthy snacks, which attracted people to their table.
“We were the only ones with food,” Tuitt said. “It got people talking and coming up to us.”
Everything is set for their first official meeting on Oct. 7 and the Fit4Life officers have several goals for the club and its members.
Brito said she realizes many people will join the club to improve their appearance, but she hopes they will aspire for more.
“It’s not always about having a good body and looking good, it’s about being healthy,” Brito said.
Brito once struggled with her weight and high blood pressure. She wants to use her experiences to help others take control of their health.
“If you have bad health, you need to tell yourself, ‘Stop.’ You need to think what are you doing right or wrong,” she said.
Domond wants members to learn about the importance of overall health, including nutrition and regular checkups with the doctor. She also envisions the club spreading statewide.
“I hope it goes to other colleges, so it can become a trend,” she said. “We all look for fitness. We all look to be healthy and look good,” she said.
In order to reach these goals, the officers are planning to meet at 1:30 p.m. in the gym on the first and third Wednesday of every month.
According to Tuitt, each meeting will be different. Some will have guest speakers who will discuss several health issues that students face, while other meetings will include group exercise.
“If it’s just 30 minutes a day of exercise or 2 hours for the week it makes a huge difference,” Tuitt said.
Overall, Tuitt wants people to realize that it is possible to lead a healthy life. “You can have a balanced lifestyle,” she said. “You don’t have to be in the gym every day.”

New Seahawks welcomed at Freshmen Frenzy

2009-10-19T14:00:00.002-04:00

By Matthew Porche
Contributing Writer

Young, eager faces crowded into Broward College’s South Campus Gymnasium to attend the Freshmen Frenzy event on Oct. 3. The event was organized and put together by Rose Ortega, Director of Student Life and Development on South Campus, with the help of student advisor Dr. Matthew Pace, English professor Dr. Patrick Ellingham, Student Government (SGA), Student Programming Board, and Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).
Booths were set up around the gymnasium giving freshmen detailed descriptions about the numerous clubs and organizations available at BC. These clubs included Student Government, the Student Programming Board, the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, GSA, and ASPIRA organizations.
Dr. Pace, who hosted the event, explained why he thought the event was helpful to freshmen students. “Freshmen students attending the Freshmen Frenzy will learn that there are also other things they can do outside of their school curriculum, including clubs and organizations they can get involved in,” he said. Students were able to receive information on a new club called Fit4Life, created to encourage students to live a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to informing freshmen students about the several clubs on campus, areas of the gymnasium were set up to give information about ways students can receive financial aid, scholarships and legal assistance. “My advice to students is to get involved [with] as much as you can by getting connected with your peers and professors,” Dr. Pace said.
Between the commentary by Dr. Pace and Dr. Ellingham, who spoke words of encouragement to the freshman class, students were entertained by hip hop and salsa dancing performances, a team oriented beach ball activity and prize drawings that included a $50 gift card and an iPod Nano. “I really enjoyed the hip hop dancer [named Pablo], he was really talented,” said Karland Joseph, a freshman majoring in nursing. She felt she would walk away with better knowledge of her college experience. “The Freshman Frenzy was helpful because it elaborated on things freshmen students should know.”
Baret Hazell, a freshman majoring in architecture, enjoyed the event as well. “I would recommend this to other students in the future because you really don’t get a chance to interact with everyone in the classroom, and here there are fresh, familiar faces,” Hazell explained while enjoying lunch with his new friends.
Students were given a lecture on campus safety by Albert Smith, dean of business, and were explained how BC maintains a safe environment for students. Later in the event, the students were given a PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Ellingham, who spoke to students about the importance of becoming good learners throughout their lives. “Once you stop learning, you stop living, really, because there is so much more to learn about life than what you learn here in college,” he said. Dr. Ellingham went on to explain the relationship between professors and college students. “Our job as professors is [to be] here to help you along the way, as you find your way and discover who you want to be.”
SGA and the Student Programming Board also took the stage and performed a skit for the freshman, giving them information about the opportunities available on campus such as intramural sports and the campus game room.
After the event, students were given free Popeye’s lunches, and were allowed to tour the gymnasium and view the various booths that were set up. According to Laudy Oliverous , Central Campus student, the event was a success. “It’s really good to come here and learn new things, especially relating to how we can improve in college,” said Oliverous.

Slaves of a modern healthcare system

2009-10-19T13:59:00.000-04:00

By Buzz Lamb
Staff Writer

Dr. Walter McConnell knows a challenge when he sees it. Dr. McConnell has climbed Mount Everest three times. In 1997 he biked across the U.S. with a group from Bucknell University, his alma mater and for 30 years he was the top master runner in his age group in the state of New Jersey.
Dr. McConnell, 78, retired from the medical profession in 2000 but he has always kept his finger on the pulse of healthcare in the U.S. Dr. McConnell’s latest challenge entails being one of the executive producers of a documentary titled “Money Driven Medicine.”
According to Dr. McConnell, the documentary was produced by Gabriel Film Group and Alex Gibney, director of the Oscar-winning “Taxi to the Dark Side.” It takes a look at the American medical marketplace and explores why, when it comes to healthcare, money can’t buy everything. It is directed by Andy Fredericks.
The documentary was inspired by the book, “Money Driven Medicine: The Real Reason Why Health Care Costs So Much,” by Maggie Mahar. Its New York Premiere was held on June 17, 2009 in New York City at the Society for Ethical Culture. According to Dr. McConnell, the 83-minute film explores how a profit-driven health care system squanders billions of healthcare dollars while exposing millions of patients to unnecessary or redundant tests. “We’ve got to get a handle on this,” Dr. McConnell said.
According to the website www.moneydrivenmedicine.net the United States has the most expensive healthcare in the world. Americans spend at least two-and-a-half times per person more on healthcare than any other developed country. But what are we getting in return for all that money?
Dr. McConnell said one of the major problems with healthcare these days is that medical students who graduate are virtually forced into specialization in order to repay student loans. “The lack of primary care in this country is going to cause serious problems if we don’t correct that situation,” he said. “At one point in my career, I got so disgusted with the way the medical profession was going in general that I co-authored a book called “Malignant Decisions.”
Dr. McConnell said Senator Mike Balkus (Montana), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has recently addressed the issues of the lack of primary care. Balkus highlighted a new concept called the “medical home” in legislation he introduced last fall. Dr. McConnell and Dr. Dan Larsen from Hudson Headwaters Healthcare produced a YouTube video as well. In the video the two discuss primary care and what to do about it.
The “medical home” concept is based on the idea that stronger relationships between patients and their primary care doctors will save money in the long run. A “medical home” would coordinate all of a patient’s needs. Proponents point to research showing that 30 to 40 percent of medical care is unnecessary.
“Somewhere along the way, doctors gave up being decision makers. The decision making was taken over by insurance companies, HMOs and hospital administrators,” Dr. McConnell lamented. “They were telling us what we could do or what we couldn’t do even though I felt it might not be in the best interest of my patient.” In the documentary, Mahar says the word “care” is the keyword. “Is it just medical care or someone who cares?” she asked. “A physician puts his patient’s interest above all else. A corporation puts its stockholder’s interest above all else.”
In remarkably candid interviews, both doctors and patients tell stories of a system where medicine has become a business. “We are paid to do things to patients,” says one doctor. “We are not paid to talk to them.”
According to Dr. McConnell, Chris Matonti, a 1994 Bucknell graduate and president of Gabriel Film Group in New York City, asked Dr. McConnell to do a synopsis of what he felt the issues in healthcare were. “I wrote them all up and sent them to Chris,” Dr. McConnell said after Gibney read his one-page diagrammatic. He said, “Oh, Walter must have read Maggie’s book.” He had not yet read Mahar’s book but, after reading it, he said he realized at that point they were on the same page as far as the issues were concerned. That’s when he decided to join the 26-person investor team.
Dr. McConnell said the documentary in essence does not necessarily offer solutions. “It brings up all of the issues for people to look at,” he said. “It is an educational thing… these are the problems that are affecting our healthcare system.” Dr. McConnell said his YouTube video actually suggests solutions to the primary care crisis.
He went on to say “We have to give everyone in this country access to a healthcare system.” Yet he said he is opposed to universal healthcare. “Ask the Canadians if they are happy with their system,” he said.
Dr. McConnell feels that there are viable alternatives to President Obama’s healthcare overhaul plan. “My concern is that we already have people telling the doctors what they can and cannot do. Now they want to add the government and I just think that is wrong,” he said. “For example, they’re talking about eliminating certain procedures for those over the age of 65.”
He says that doctors today should be able to sit with a patient and talk about prevention rather than shuffling them in and out, treating them with medications. “It’s very important to talk about wellness rather than me seeing you when you are sick,” he said.
Dr. McConnell said that the vast majority of people who are being seen in the emergency room have insurance. “This is addressed in the documentary,” he said. “They are there because they can’t get in to see a primary care doctor!” He looks at Obama’s plan as a bailout. “Doctors have asked, ‘Can’t we fix it before we finance it?’ I think we are going about it the wrong way… [the government] wants to finance it and then they’ll try to fix it,” he said. “The motivation to fix it should be the fact that it is not being financed.”
Dr. McConnell emphasized that the documentary serves three vital purposes: get informed, get involved and be heard. “People will have a better understanding of our healthcare system after they view the film. They can go to the website and fill out a survey which will feed into Washington,” he added.

Mullikin documents history in an unique way

2009-10-19T13:57:00.002-04:00

By Kara Spadone
Staff Writer

If a picture is worth a thousand words than Mildred Mullikin can write a novel! Mullikin, a former Broward College theater faculty member, has pages upon pages of photos, letters and more documented in her scrapbooks at the Central Campus library that are solely dedicated to BC’s history. Mullikan plans to return to BC on Oct. 21-23 to reunite with old friends, colleagues, students and most importantly her scrapbooks.
“Ms. M,” as her students refer to her as, was born June 26, 1928, and graduated from Lander University in South Carolina, earning her Bachelor’s Degree. She earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama. “I’m an eighth generation South Carolinian,” noted Mullikin.
Prior to working at BC, Mullikin taught at Blue Mountain College in North Mississippi for 10 years. She accepted the theater position at BC after several phone calls from Dr. Elzie Lauderdale, BC’s former dean, and persuasion from her own mother.
After a visit to South Florida to explore the school formerly known as BCC, the environment ended up growing on Mullikin and her mother. “I think we both kind of fell in love with South Florida and I did with the idea of building a program from, truly, the ground up,” said Mullikin.
Part of the reason for Mullikin’s initial decline of interest in the beginning was because she was focused on earning her Ph.D. However, Dr. Lauderdale assured her that she could get her Ph.D. from the University of Miami while she worked as head of the theater department at BC.
Mullikin explained that her love of theater came from her mother, an organist, and her father, a Methodist minister and Shakespeare enthusiast. “I had a lot of creative input from both parents,” added Mullikin.
Aside from teaching students, Mullikin also directed several plays. She confirmed that she directed some of the time, and other times she would do the design of the set. “I did a lot of the technical aspects of theater, too,” stated Mullikin.
During the 30 years Mullikin taught as head of the department, an average of four to five plays and musicals a year were conducted. “That’s a lot for a major university, much less a community college,” said Mullikin.
Some of the plays and musicals included: “Finian’s Rainbow,” “The Sound of Music,” “Fantastiks,” “The King and I,” “Baby,” “Fiddler on The Roof,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “The Corn is Green.”
There were many more plays and musicals which Mullikin directed herself, such as “Cinderella,” “Winnie The Pooh,” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” These pieces were part of Children’s Theater, a program that initially was a way for live theater to be provided to elementary school children at the college.
Mullikin was associated with Children’s Theater, and firmly believes that children need to be taken to live theater when they’re very young so they are able to experience it at an early age. She mentioned that one must be carefully taught and introduced to all the things in the world that make it exciting. “I have nothing against movies, but live theater- there’s no substitute for it,” claimed Mullikin.
Throughout the years, Mullikin would save articles, pictures, letters, and information from all her work with the drama department, and spent 10-12 years compiling and completing the scrapbooks after she retired in 1990. She said that she always saves things that she thinks might be pertinent to history. “I guess you could call me a pack rat,” joked Mullikin.
The 50th anniversary of BC is Aug. 2010, and Mullikin wanted to donate the scrapbooks prior to the anniversary so that it would be available for everyone to admire.
The scrapbooks were created because Mullikin wanted to value and savor all of the precious moments formulated throughout her theater career. “Our past is so important, and we have to remember it and we have to look at it because it will help us with the future,” said Mullikin.
Mullikin’s scrapbooks are located in the Archives and Special Collections Department on the fourth floor of the Central Campus library. Come check out the history of BC, and the woman behind all of the theatrical tenacity!

Lady Seahawks fall short to Miami-Dade

2009-10-19T13:55:00.002-04:00

By Igor Mello
Editor-in-Chief

In most sports looking ahead on the schedule could hurt a team, but not according to volleyball assistant coach Michael Zarate

In a dead-lock race for second place in the Southern Conference, the Lady Seahawks volleyball team stumbled to nationally ranked Miami-Dade College in straight sets (25-13, 25-16, 25-13).
“Everything must start with communication. Our communication today was absolutely horrible,” said Zarate, who is in charge of the team while head coach Caitlin Faulk is on maternity leave. “We have to be playing our absolute very best in order for us to compete with them.”

This was Broward’s third straight loss as they drop to 9-4, 5-3 in the Southern Conference. Only the top two teams in the conference are awarded a playoff berth for the state tournament.
With first place out of reach, Zarate feels the team must focus on defeating Palm Beach Community College (PBCC).

“We were hoping to use this match as good way to practice to get us ready for Palm Beach [Community College]. The result wasn’t as good as I was hoping for it to be, but that is what practice is for,” said Zarate.

Freshman right side hitter Allorie Sanders also felt that it wasn’t necessary to beat MDC.

“To be honest, it wasn’t that important. Our main competition that we need to focus on is Palm Beach [Community College] right now,” said Sanders.

PBCC is currently in second place, slightly ahead of the Lady Seahawks in the standings. Both teams have split the season series at one game apiece. The ladies will play host to PBCC. one more time on Oct. 22.

The team seemed to disagree about whether Miami-Dade’s long winning tradition is a factor on the court. Sanders admits that Miami-Dade intimidated her team and had a mental edge over them despite Zarate stating otherwise.

“They’re pretty big if you haven’t seen them,” said Sanders referring to the Miami-Dade players. “We just thought about how they did in the past… it got to our heads.”
Freshman outside hitter Jessica Mendoza also feels that intangibles such as mental edge can affect her sport.

“Volleyball itself is a very mental sport. It’s just a swing of momentum,” Mendoza said.
According to Mendoza, this team has the potential of being special and can possibly compete with the top notch teams in the state tournament.

“I think we all have our mind straight and that’s where our goal is. We all want to get to the top and we want to make it far. We don’t want to end our season here,” she said.

With only two remaining home games on Oct. 20 against Indian River State College and Oct. 22 against second place PBCC, home court advantage will be crucial for the Lady Seahawks.

Time for Cheney to stand trial for war crimes

2009-10-19T13:52:00.001-04:00

By Fred Snyder
Contributing Writer

May 3, 1946 and Dec. 5, 2008. These two dates are more than 60 years apart, but what happened on these days can be seen as a measurement for how far we have come as a nation.
The first date marks the beginning of the The International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or as its more commonly referred to: The Tokyo Trials. These trials were led by the U.S. and a coalition of other countries that fought in World War II. Their goal was to put Japanese military officials and civilians that where suspected of authorizing , engaging in, or promoting war crimes against enemy prisoners of war and civilians on trial.

By the time the trials ended on Nov. 12, 1948, there were seven people sentenced to death and 16 sentenced to life in prison. Of those seven sentenced to death, five were found guilty of Count 54, which was for those thought to have ordered, authorized and permitted “inhumane treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) and others.” This makes what happened on Dec. 5, 2008 so historical and so disturbing.

On Dec. 5, 2008, ABC news anchor Jonathan Karl conducted an interview with former Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney has done hundreds of interviews throughout his political career but what made this sit-down so special was that it gave a new title to the former Vice President; he was now an admitted war criminal. The question asked was, “Did you authorize the tactics that were used against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed?” The answer was “I was aware of the program, certainly, and involved in helping get the process cleared… and I supported it.” This program included the use of waterboarding on detainees at Guantanamo Bay. A 2005 Justice Department legal memorandum states that waterboarding was used 83 times on Abu Zubaydah and a total of 183 times against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

This was not because of “a few bad apples” like in the case of abuse in Abu Ghraib, this time the torture was approved and promoted by Vice President Cheney. Waterboarding is performed by strapping a prisoner to a flat surface and pouring water into their nose and mouth to simulate death by drowning. It is obvious that this is a form of torture and that is why waterboarding was one of the “inhumane treatment(s)” listed under Count 54 in the Tokyo Trials, and it is to this day seen by every organization as a form of torture. Waterboarding is illegal and goes against both the War Crimes Act and the Detainees Treatment Act, and as it was over 60 years ago, the punishment, if found guilty, is death.

This admission by any elected official, let alone the second most powerful person in the country, is an offense that should have Americans taking to the streets and Cheney sitting in a defendant’s chair. But sadly this isn’t the case. It has been more than nine months since Cheney’s admission on national television but there has yet to be any strong outcry from the public or our elected officials.

We talk about how much we need change, but in a democracy, you can’t just say you want something then sit back and wait, you need to take action. Gandhi put it best when he said, “The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart.”

We have a new administration but we also need to have a new mindset. The way to prove to ourselves, to our government, and to the world that we have changed is to punish the people of the last administration that showed blatant disregard for laws and human life. We must start with former Vice President Cheney because we have the evidence and we have an admission.
I am like the rest of the rational thinking members of this country in that I want to move forward and far away from the eight years of abysmal Bush administration memories. But we all need to have some closure. Americans and the rest of the world know that what the Bush Administration did (wire taps, outing CIA officials, starting wars on false information) were all morally wrong and in the case of former Vice President Cheney authorizing torture tactics, downright illegal. The ace that Cheney holds is the sad but true belief that Americans simply don’t care. This may have been true before but the time has come to change this way of thinking. Cheney is not any more powerful than you or I because he gets his power is from the people. This is the double-edged sword that is democracy. We get to have officials that we elect, but we also have to hold ourselves responsible for their actions. By silently observing criminal actions that take place on a national and global level, we are also be to blame.

One of the things that Cheney said is that when he looks back on all the things he has caused in the last two terms, he has no regrets. Well, Former Vice President/War Criminal Cheney, I wish the American people could say the same thing. What we can do is make our voices heard and our power felt. We must make it known that we won’t accept anything less than to see Cheney punished for the war crimes that he committed, and admitted to.

The Bush Administration supporters are always saying that “history will judge the Bush Administration,” but this escapist ideology cannot be accepted anymore. We cannot wait, we need to take action now and make Cheney stand trial. We cannot forget that we have the power to make Cheney pay for what he has done to this country, the American people and the world.
Lets get something done.

Visit myflorida.com and write an e-mail to the Office of Attorney General or Supreme Court of the United States.

The best way to "zone out" when traveling

2009-10-19T13:49:00.001-04:00

By Brandon Audain
Columnist

Let’s get one thing straight, riding the bus is no fun. I do believe the very first time I rode the bus was the second day of school, in kindergarten.

On my first day of school I was taken by my mother, so I was pretty disappointed to have to ride the giant yellow bus to school.

Between the ages of five and 19, everywhere I went by myself, was on the bus, whether it be the city bus or the school bus. When I was 19, I received my current car, and I haven’t touched the bus since, and with good reason.

When I think about the bus, not many positives come to mind, but the negatives sure do stand out.

You know, like the smell, the noise factor, not being able to sit down, being late and actually missing the bus… there are too many to name.

However, as with all setbacks, one must find a way to cope with their situation, and I did just that.

In sixth grade, my bus experience completely changed when I got my first CD player. It was then that I learned the power of music, and how it seemed to change many situations. With those headphones covering my ears, the minor incontinences of the bus no longer seemed to matter, because frankly, I no longer noticed them. With my music taking control of my attention, riding the bus was no longer a pain.

As I would soon find out, there is different music for different situations. There’s music to drive to, music to sing to, relaxing music, etc.

There is also music that takes you away from your current position and places you in another; something I call “zone out” music. “Zone out” music is perfect for the bus for that very reason.
One example of such music is the first album by Kelis, “Kaleidoscope.”

The music on this record is so organic, so out-there, and so funky, that it’s almost perfect for long rides on the bus. The lyrics may not captivate you, but the production surely will. Released in 1999, acclaimed producers, The Neptunes, show no mercy on the production forefront. 13 of the 14 songs on the record are just about incredible and will take your mind for a spin.
I cannot recommend this album enough for the young adult sitting on the bus in frustration. “Kaleidoscope” is a journey that everyone should take.

My next example is from the rap group Mobb Deep, and their second album, “The Infamous.”
With its top-notch production and stellar lyrics, this could, once again, be the perfect album for this situation. The lyrics on this album are so unbelievable, they almost force the listener to imagine and visualize what’s being said.

You seriously will not believe the stuff being said on this album, which is far too gangster to be printed in this publication, but when you listen to songs like “Temperature’s Rising,” and “Trife Life,” you will fully understand where I’m coming from.

Once you start mentally seeing the lyrics, you will quickly be hooked by the production (which I would argue is the second best on any rap album, ever), and will have hopefully “zoned out.”
My final suggestion for this “zone out” time is from rapper Raekwon, and his debut classic, “Only Built for Cuban Linx…”

This album is basically a movie in CD form as it starts with two men, Ghostface and Raekwon, talking about how they would rather sell drugs for the rest of their lives and ends with one man’s revelation about life. This is by far, the greatest rap album ever produced and the easiest album to “zone out” to, and it should hook you on the first listen.

Similar to “The Infamous,” this album will have your mind visualizing images of the gritty New York streets, while trapping you with the production. It’s indeed a formula for success.
Before I learned the power of music, when I was riding the bus, the only place I wanted to be was “anywhere but here.” Music effectively allowed me to travel to different times and places at a very low cost.

Only through music can I travel back in time to 1995 to take my mind off of the present.
I want you to learn of this power as well, and if you already have it, pass it on.
Everybody on the bus is super miserable as it is; the least we can do is help.

Tigertales

2009-10-19T13:36:00.002-04:00

By Sheri Wieseman

Staff Writer

Hanging out in the cafeteria and walking around the mall are no longer the only places for Broward College students to spend their time. Wouldn’t it be nice to go kayaking and windsurfing between calculus and biology? Seems like a comical idea, huh? What if these activities were free for BC students? Now they are.

Tigertail is the place for students to go to fulfill their water sports need. Everything from canoeing to rope climbing is offered and all activities are free for BC students. If students are looking for more intense learning sessions, they can choose to take part in a course. These courses are all one elective credit hour classes and are open to all levels.

The scuba course was designed in the early 2000’s and has grown to become an eight-week class. Students learn the fundamentals of scuba diving, such as snorkeling and safe diving. The class, which meets once a week, spends half their time in the classroom learning from ‘how-to’ videos, and half the time in the water. Divers can become certified with a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open-Water Certificate by the end of the course. The length of the course is scheduled so that the four-hour class time is “just perfect... enough that you stay interested,” said Jon Groover, Senior Water Sports Coordinator.

The idea that Tigertail should have a scuba program was inspired by the lake’s rolling topography. World Water Sports is adjacent to Tigertail’s location and they help the program by lending out gear. Groover also thought up the idea to rent out the lake to other instructors in the area. This helps bring in more revenue to invest in the programs offered. Tigertail was able to acquire 15 sets of scuba gear and a compressor for the oxygen tanks with this money. Learning to scuba dive is an amazing opportunity.
“You become the anemone of the ocean,” said Groover.

Besides teaching open-water diving, the program offers confined water dives. This means learning skills in the safety of a pool. The pool is built into the lake inside of the existing dock. It has an eclosed shallow end that is 4 feet deep and the deep end of the pool is 10 feet deep. The lake also has a $100,000 dock.

Other activities and courses available are kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. There are also a multitude of other skill-based classes, such as underwater photography, basic lifesaving and a technical series of classes helpful to firefighters. Many courses are certified by PADI. Tigertail is an ideal learning location because it has its own private lake and the students are “not going to run into million dollar yachts,” said Groover.

The ropes course is another popular amenity for visitors. A group of at least 10 people can have an adventure-filled day working as a team for a common goal. Tigertail hosts many corporate events, which lets employees get out of the office. They work on their “interaction with each other, weaknesses and needs and get comfortable talking to each other,” said Groover. Once a month there is an Open Challenge Day for everyone to participate, and admission is free for BC students.

Another attribute of Tigertail is the adventure trips which last anywhere from day trips to five day getaway trips. The scuba trip costs $200, which includes food, lodging and boat trips. Anyone is welcomed on the trips, though participation in at least one course is suggested. The only test required is a swim test. There is also a surfing trip during the summer and Spring Break trips are also popular. Lake Placid, the Keys and Ocala National Forest are popular spots.
Michaela McGuire, a sailing and windsurfing teaching assistant, says her favorite aspect of Tigertail is “the multitude of different people... many different cultures,” She says the adventure trips are one of the greatest features of Tigertail. During the canoe trips to Blue Springs, it is not too uncommon to spot manatees. Students can “see all kinds of wildlife,” said McGuire. Tigertail “wants everyone to have fun and put a smile on their faces,” added McGuire.

Lensey Knox, 18, just started participating in the water sports courses. “Everyone should try it,” said Knox, “It’s different, something new.” Deanna Wall, 23, trained in lifeguarding at Tigertail and loves the adventure trips to the Keys. Once students start coming to Tigertail, they end up “being here everyday,” said Wall. “We are one big happy family.”

Tigertail is an alternative way to spend your day off and a way to learn new skills in water sports. Come on your next day off to dive to the lowest depth and discover a statue of Poseidon, or try your hand at rope climbing. Groover says Tigertail is “your facility, feel free to use it.”
For more information, students can visit the Tigertail website at www.broward.edu/watersports/ or call (954) 201-4500.

BROWARD COLLEGE SPORTS SLIDESHOW

2009-07-15T18:03:00.000-04:00

OBSERVER SITS DOWN WITH NEW SGA NORTH CAMPUS PRESIDENT

2009-07-08T21:40:00.002-04:00

OBSERVER SITS DOWN WITH NEW SGA CENTRAL CAMPUS PRESIDENT

2009-07-08T18:19:00.001-04:00

OBSERVER SITS DOWN WITH NEW SGA SOUTH CAMPUS PRESIDENT

2009-07-01T22:35:00.002-04:00

CENTRAL CAMPUS PARKING GARAGE TIMELINE

2009-06-29T16:28:00.000-04:00

FIGHTING REVIEW AND INTERVIEW WITH ZULAY HENAO

2009-04-21T12:54:00.009-04:00

By Philippe Buteau

Copy Editor

I like fighting. And what do you know a movie comes that is all about that.

Channing Tatum, the twinkle-toed marvel from the original “Step Up,” plays as Shawn MacArthur a New York City bootlegger with a mean hit. Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard) notices his right hook and gives him an opportunity to earn extra money fighting.

The story serves its purpose just fine, namely not getting in the way of the fist-to-cheek action. He fights, he gets paid, he fights, he gets paid more then he fights the final boss. MacArthur’s background is interesting, but the movie spends a bit too much time for my liking teasing something in his past which in turn takes away from the fighting.

I would have much rather learned more about Boarden, the used-to-be-big time hustler from Chicago. I don’t know how people from Chicago speak, but if Howard told me that they speak like his character, then I’d believe him. He delivered his lines with a voice and cadence that at first seemed annoying, but grew on me as I found out more about Boarden’s style and the kind of person he is.

The actual fighting in “Fighting” is bada**. The hits sound like they have real weight, and the reactions from the one hit add to that. I wish I could say more about how much I like the fights unfortunately there weren’t enough of them to talk about. Barely a handful of fights lightly sprinkled into a two-hour movie. Sure, I wouldn’t want them overdone but a little more would’ve made me happier.

Although the story stays out of the fighting’s way, the lovey-dovey stuff between MacArthur and Zulay Valez, played by Zulay Henao, is obtrusive. Throughout the movie they feel unnecessary and like something Montiel felt had to go in. The conversations between MacArthur and Boarden during the long no fighting moments add much more.

The fighting in this movie is sick, simple as that. I only wished the movie knew that or was more confident in it.

Interview with Zulay Henao

Zulay Henao, plays Zulay Valez in Rogue Picture’s upcoming movie “Fighting.” The following is an interview that I had with the actress prior to the film’s release.

Q: Your character shares your name. Can you explain how that came to be?

A: The director [Dito Montiel] really liked it and he asked if he could use it and I said yeah because a lot of people didn’t know how to say my name right. So I thought it was a good opportunity to present my name to the world and be like, “This is how you say it.”

Q: So when Shawn McArthur (Channing Tatum) says in the movie, “It’s like ‘July,’” did that come from you?

A: It did. Somebody said that to me when I was trying to tell him how to pronounce my name. He’s like, “Oh so it’s like July but Zulay.” And I said yeah and I was like that’s a good way to tell people when I meet them when they have a problem because it makes sense. So it worked. And I said it to them in the audition room and the director liked the line and he kept it.

Q: Would you prefer if she wasn’t named after you, or does that not really matter?

A: You know what, in the beginning I was like, “Do I really want it to be my name?” But I think ultimately it’ll be to my benefit. And I think it’s a different, unique, interesting name so why not. It’s fine. I never had a problem with it really.

Q: How was working with Channing Tatum?

A: He’s such a nice, genuine, sweet person. It was really fun. I mean obviously he has so much going on and there’s so much that he’s doing it was great for me to have the opportunity to work with him at this point in my career. So it was great.

Q: And Terence Howard?

A: Terence was very interesting to work with. He’s a very focused and intense actor, and I really enjoyed my work with him and watching him work. And it was great. He’s an Academy Award nominee and that’s a plus to work with someone on that level.

Q: Since he’s an Academy Award nominee, did he offer you any sort of advice?

A: He just told me to relax in my work. He told me to trust what I was doing, so I took those words and ran with it. Because he, well they both did, they all put me at ease.

Q: In the production notes you said that Zulay, Shawn, and Harvey strip each other to the bone. What did you mean by that?

I don’t think I was the one that said it.

Sorry.

A: But I think what they mean by that is that when they all meet, I think that they’re all in a very low point in their lives. These people are not people who necessarily would be friends had it not been for this fighting stuff. I don’t think that they would’ve met, or would’ve been friends under different circumstances. So I think what they meant by that is that they ultimately teach each other how to trust and love again and that’s important. Because I think, especially in a city like New York City, you’re beaten down and you’re just doing, doing doing and you’re not seeing the outcome the way you want it to be, you can get really down and low. So this is about them learning to trust each other again and to trust life and to get up from where they are to ultimately achieve their goals.

Q: How was Dito Montiel as a director?

A: He was a free director. He gave us a lot of freedom to make mistakes and to explore our characters. He was a very, very kind person. I think that his personality definitely comes through in his work. And I really loved and enjoyed his first movie [“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”] so I was very excited to work with him on this.

Q: What scene do you remember shooting the most?

A: The first scene because I was so nervous. It was the first day. It was the scene Channing and I shot in the park when I go up to him to apologize… to explain to him why I’ve been lying to him. It’s probably one of the most intense scenes for me. Because she’s now in love with this guy and he’s walking away from her. So it was pretty intense and it was the first day of production for me.

Q: Did you learn anything from this movie as an actress?

A: Yes I did. As you go, every job that you do I think you grow a little bit and feel more comfortable and more free to explore yourself, your experiences and what you can bring to the characters.

Q: Do you think viewers can learn anything from this movie?

A: I think aside from all the action and all the fighting sequences people are going to be able to take away something from the individual relationships that these people are making. I think we can all relate to being in a place in our lives where we’re not exactly that happy. I think that we can all relate to those moments. And I think in this movie we’re going to see three characters who are growing and evolving before our eyes and I think that’s going to be really interesting.

Q: You wrapped S. Darko (the sequel to “Donnie Darko”) before starting to shoot “Fighting”?

A: Yeah that was recent. That was last summer.

Q: Did you learn anything from that movie that you applied to “Fighting”?

A: Maybe just the experience of being on-set, but nothing from the movie itself or from the character. Samantha Darko is completely different; she’s a recluse and someone who is very dark. I don’t think Zulay is dark at all in that sense. So not from character to character, but just the experience of being on-set and working with different types of people.

Q: What do you think is the most interesting aspect of “Fighting,” whether it’s the story or the characters?

A: I think it’s that. Of course we’re all going to like the fighting sequences, but I think the underlying truth is that it’s OK to fall down, to make mistakes, and to get back up and try again. I think that’s what the movie is saying, “you have to get back up and just try again.”

Q: Are there any funny behind-the-scenes stories?

A: I keep coming back to the grandmother because I think that’s funny and everybody finds her funny. It’s been a while, so I don’t remember anything specific but working with my grandmother is a lot of fun. She brought a different energy to the set. She was really funny off and on-camera.

Q: She’s your grandmother?

A: No, no, no. [Laughs] My name. My grandmother. [Laughs]

Q: Seeing as Kevin Misher, one of the producers, created “The Fast and the Furious,” do you think “Fighting” has the potential to be that popular.

A: I don’t want to say “no.” Hopefully. That would be great. He really believes in the film and thinks it’s going to be a lot of fun. I think fighting and car racing have that thing in common. They have a big audience. So it’s a possibility. I would love to do another one.

E-BOOKS HAVE A CHANCE TO DEBUT ON NORTH CAMPUS

2009-04-10T17:34:00.003-04:00

By Buzz Lamb
Staff Writer

Innovative thinking by a group of three students on North Campus recently caught the Board of trustees by surprise. Every year, beginning in January, the Board of Trustees conducts three of their monthly meetings on each of the Broward College main campuses. At all of these meetings the students from the individual campuses do a presentation to the Board.

Michael Bramwell, Jewel Khan and Micki Racine used a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate a ground-breaking idea to address the issue of textbook affordability. “According to a recent study, the average cost for textbooks is about $120 per class,” Bramwell told the Board. “We are greatly interested in opening a new chapter in the affordability of textbooks for students at Broward College,” he added.

According to Bramwell, the Florida Legislature previously adopted Statute 1004.085 which required that by March 1, 2009 the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall each adopt policies, procedures and guidelines for implementation by community colleges and state universities, respectively, that further efforts to minimize the cost of textbooks for students attending these institutions while maintaining the quality of education and academic freedom.

Jewel Khan’s portion of the slide presentation included information about Miami-Dade College and Northwest Missouri State University. “Miami-Dade will be implementing their first e-book (electronic book) program this summer.

Thirty-seven students will be participating in the will have a choice of utilizing iPod Touch or the iPhone. It will allow students to sign in to class and give non-verbal responses to specific question with the flip of a button,” she said. “They will still have to attend class.”

According to Khan, Northwest Missouri State already has an e-book in place which has 500 students in 10 different departments participating. “Those students were provided with a Hewlett Packard (H/P) rental laptop computer, which is ironic because BC already has a contract with H/P,” she said. “The students are charged $10 per credit hour for the use of the laptop.”

Miki Racine, Phi Beta Lambda President, explained to the Board that each student selected the way they would get involved with an e-book program. “With that being said, I would like to introduce you to the new iPhone,” he told the Board. “Some of the features are that it is very flexible, convenient and compact. Books can be downloaded, stored and deleted.”

The next device Racine displayed was the Kindle 2 by Amazon.com. “I had the pleasure of experimenting with the Kindle 2 and I can tell you from my personal experience that it is great,” he said with a big grin on his face. Racine said that this electronic gadget is affordable and books can be downloaded to the Kindle 2 for only $9.99 and it is capable of downloading a vast number of newspapers and periodicals as well.

Racine showed the Board and the audience a brief video presentation describing the features of the Kindle 2. The video stated that there are over 250,000 book titles available on Kindle 2. “Moving on,” Racine said,” you’re probably wondering how this will benefit students. First and foremost is affordability. They create a way for students to save on the cost of textbooks.”

Racine said e-books are environmentally friendly as well. “It took 8.4 million trees to print the Harry Potter books,” he said. “I can download the whole series onto this little device,” he said as he waved the little 10-ounce unit above his head. Before Racine could turn the presentation back to Bramwell, Trustee Sosa-Douglas asked if she could get a hands-on demonstration of the new apparatus and Racine obliged by carrying it over to her. “I’m just blown away by this idea,” she said.

After the Board members took a few minutes passing the small device among themselves, the students were able to resume their presentation. Bramwell resumed by saying, “So, what are we asking for? Well, we’re asking for your endorsement and support for a pilot program for the fall semester of 2009.”

Bramwell said the North Campus English Department has already endorsed the experiment and has gone as far as authorizing e-books for two classes. “ENC 1101 (Prof. Karen Parker) and ENC 1102 (Dr. Tai Houser) will be using the Kindle 2 in their classes,” he said.

Associate Dean Jeffrey Nasse, who was sitting in the audience, told the Board that the English department was already using e-book in some of their classes. “They are much cheaper than traditional textbooks. Professor Parker is currently using one and Dr, Houser is using one as well in his class. These are much more than just reading. There are a lot of interactive activities and videos that go along with this as well. Faculty will decide which devices are appropriate”

Trustee Sosa-Douglass asked “How can we help you make this happen? You certainly have my full support as a Board member.” BC President J. David Armstrong, Jr. responded, “This is a grand experiment that we should explore and let these great faculty members and the students test it out for us and diagnose what bugs it might have and what challenges there are using e-books in our classes.”

A few days after the Board meeting, Dr Houser said he is pleased that the cost to the student will be less that if they were to purchase a traditional textbook. “I think e-books and the effective use of technology in the classroom, properly utilizing blackboard and its features, for instance, is really a great way for the college to become more learning centered,” he said.

“Students are engaged in reading all the time; e-mails, web pages, chat rooms, blogs, video blogs, etc. If 21st Century education is operating in a 19th Century paradigm, then education and educators are missing their primary goal. It’s fun for me because it’s asking me to step out of my comfort zone as an instructor and into a reality that belongs to my students.”

North Campus Provost, Dr. Barbara Bryan said she has always had an interest in finding ways to help students afford their books. She said she recently read a story about North West Missouri’s e-book pilot program and it looked promising. She met with all of the campus organization leaders and asked if there was an interest on the part of BC students.

In response to an e-mail inquiry, wrote, “E-text books are one on the few viable affordability options that colleges can consider. BC’s research study will focus on students and faculty satisfaction with the e-book format and the effectiveness of e-books as teaching and learning tools.”

Kindle 2 Overview

· Revolutionary electronic-paper display
· Simple to Use: no computer, no cables, no sync
· You never have to locate a “hot spot”
· Utilizes EVDO high speed cell phone network
· No monthly wireless bills, service plans or commitments
· Buy a book and it is delivered in less than one minute
· Lighter and thinner than a typical paperback book
· More than 250,000 titles currently available
· More than 1,100 top blogs available
· Holds over 200 titles
· E-mail your Word documents and pictures to Kindle 2
· Top US and International newspapers can be auto delivered
· Has a text to speech feature
· 6-inch screen with 16-level grayscale electronic paper
· Kindle for iPhone allows iPhone and iPod Touch to access Kindle
· Current retail cost from Amazon.com $359

AN EASILY SURVIVABLE SURVIVAL-HORROR

2009-04-10T17:22:00.006-04:00

By Philippe Buteau
Copy Editor

Imagine if Freddy Krueger entered your dreams and you Muhammad Ali’ed him until the sun came up. Or if the big breasted blond turned around and used Jason Voorhees’ own machete on him.
Despite the fun I had with Resident Evil (RE) 5 that is my major gripe with it, basically, not being horrified of the horrific characters.

Resident Evil as a series has been moving towards the action genre more and more but has, until now, at least tried to be scary. RE4 set in Europe had monster closets, eerie destinations, haunting music, dark and stormy nights and a wide variety of enemies. RE5 has none of these. Sure the bosses are creepy enough, but in arenas with plenty of ammo at my disposal, I wasn’t scared, or even worried, about facing them, no matter how many tentacles they had.

Knowing that throughout the game my partner, Sheva Alomar, would be by my side helped in keeping me from getting scared. I wouldn’t ask to remove her, but I would tell the developers to remedy that by adding the elements mentioned above.

As similar as RE5 is to the previous game, Alomar being there is the biggest difference to my time in Europe. While Leon Kennedy was alone, RE5 has a cooperative mode that allows two people, online or split-screen, to play through the entire game together. When alone the computer controls Alomar and handles her well enough but is too quick to use those green herbs.... They’re for healing.

Another place where the game took a misstep is in the “why” of its story. It’s been about a week since I finished the game and I’ve been thinking about it since then for this review, but I still don’t understand everything that happened for those 12 or so hours.
I was sent to a town in Africa to capture some guy who I think was a biological terrorist, or maybe my bosses didn’t like his voice as much I. Then I received some information about an old friend and former boss. I had to rescue the former and stop the latter. He’s bad so I had to stop him, I get it. But why did he want to wipe out the human race? Agoraphobia?

Whatever the reason, my most basic objective of staying alive had a few steps in order to complete: pick up any of my laser-equipped weapons, aim and shoot. However, like Kennedy, Alomar and I (Chris Redfield) cannot multitask, or in other words, move and shoot. I certainly would like to but I knew going in that this game wouldn’t have that and don’t really mind because the game is still fun to play.

Capcom somehow managed to improve and screw up the inventory system at the same time. It is fixed in that I can now designate spots on the D-Pad (up, down, left or right) for quick weapon swapping; screwed up because it is limited to nine spots where in RE4 I had a case that could, with proper management, fit as many weapons and items that I could find.

So despite my complaints, I still enjoyed the game overall and would recommend it. It does feel like a $60 special edition of RE4 but I didn’t finish it with a feeling of having been cheated. Was it worth the money? To me it was. I plan on playing through it maybe three more times, I have to uppercut a zombie while wearing a safari costume.

BASEBALL A BIG HIT IN THE POLLS

2009-04-10T17:14:00.003-04:00

By Igor Mello
Sports Editor

It was pure excitement.

The Broward baseball team jumped for joy in the locker room when they first learned that they were ranked first in the state, edging out rival Miami-Dade College.

“We’re finally being viewed as one of the top programs in Florida” said sophomore pitcher Joe Mata.

They held their spot strong in the poll for three weeks before MDC recently flip-flopped their spots, leaving Broward at a close second.

But the players aren’t concerned about that, they believe that the only standings that matter are the conference standings.

The Seahawks (12-4, 26-10 overall) are now tied with MDC (12-4, 32-7 overall) for first with four games to go. Broward is ranked thirteenth in the nation, while Dade, ranked fifth, has a little more respect from the national polls.

Both teams have identical records, identical amount of games left and against identical opponents.

Something’s got to give.

If they come out ahead of MDC at the end of the season, they will be awarded a first round bye in the Southern Conference Tournament which starts from April 27 and ends on April 30.

“It’s played out as I exactly expected,” said Seahawks skipper Bob Deutschman, who feels that his team is right there in the thick of things at the final stretch of the season.

Out of those four games remaining, the Seahawks will slug it out with MDC two more times, one at home then one away.

A first round bye could be critical in one of the toughest conferences in the nation. The Southern Conference is one of the few conferences in the state, let alone the country that has two out of the three nationally-ranked squads in the state.

Although they kept the last two games against MDC close, the boys in blue have only managed to outlast Dade once out of their six meetings.

“Up until this last series it was a bit mental with us,” said Deutschman.

He does admit that being swept by MDC in their first couple of series may have been mental, but says that his team has now overcome that.

“They’re good, but we’ve got Dade twice into our style of play which is low scoring,” said Deutschman, who later on uses a basketball term. “We cannot run with them, we have to play a very slow, methodical type of game which is what we did [recently].”

If they manage to keep their games close, they should be in good shape. The Seahawks are 7-2 in games decided by one run.

Despite gaining interest from the national polls, some players still feel like there are still doubters out there.

“We work hard because we don’t have the big name players like everyone else has and we come to the field everyday to get better because we know we have something to prove to everybody else because people still doubt us,” said Third Baseman Patrick Donahue, who is batting .344 with 16 Runs batted in.

Even though both teams are in a tight-lock race, the Seahawks shouldn’t overlook Brevard CC., who they face in their last two games of the season.

Brevard (5-10, 10-22 overall), is one of the weaker teams in the Southern Conference. Brevard gave the Seahawks a hard time last time they met, scoring 17 runs on Broward as they split both meetings.

“We just got to keep playing our style of game. Keep the game close and let someone get that big hit,” said Mata, who is 2-0 with a 1.87 ERA. “That seems to be the winning formula for us this season.”

YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING!

2009-04-10T17:08:00.008-04:00

STOP BY THE BC OBSERVER OFFICE BLDG. 68, ROOM 268 (SOUTH CAMPUS) FOR YOUR CHANCE TO PICK UP FREE ADVANCE SCREENING PASSES! HURRY!

WHEN YOU HAVE NO CHOICE, I'M YOUR MAN

2009-04-10T16:59:00.003-04:00

Who are you going to vote for Central Campus' SGA Pres? No one is running...

(Commentary)

By Brendan Connolly

Staff Writer

“Winston Churchill said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried…or wait, maybe it was Joe the Plumber, no it was definitely Churchill, definitely, I think…”
-Brendan Connolly

My fellow Broward Collegians my name is Brendan Connolly, as if you didn’t already know that, and this is my bid for the Central Campus Student Government Presidential position. And even though, as I write this, there is no one, technically, running and I missed the entry date for the exploratory committee, I hope you don’t hold it against me. Help a brother out.

Write me in.

Show those fat cats and blue-toothed Tories in Building 19, who say they have the pulse of the student body, just what makes you tick. Together, yes you can, get me into elected office. My platform is a melting pot of ideas, fueled by my own hot air.

I say smoke wherever you want. These nicotine terrorists, constantly spreading their message of fascism, will not bully us into the corner.
Vote for me. Vote for loose change.

I promise I will fill my cabinet with all the top names: Johnny Walker, Jack Daniels, and the distinguished and stately Jim Beam. The stimulus plan they bring to the table will leave you under it wanting more, despite the headache of their complex directives.

I can bridge the fundamental divide of the stratified abscesses between the haves and the have a hangovers. And even though I probably won’t get to shake your hands, let it be known I don’t really want to anyway.
One more term, at least.

I vow an aggressive new public works project called the “Parking for the Universalization and Socialisumption of the Parking Protocol Initiative.” I had to make up words just to explain it. Everyone will be assigned a numbered parking space, regardless of car ownership.

Read my lips, “No new math classes.”

Gone will be the days of the previous administration, especially their “trickle down GPA” ideology.

During my reign, any student with a 3.2 and above will be subject to a more stringent workload to spread the grades around evenly. Students below this ceiling will be given a .7 increase to their GPA to close the gap and restore the middle class.

I am pro-choice: Bottles, Cans, Draft. Make your own decisions. I don’t want to make them for you.

All I can really say to you is I hope. I hope you help me become what I have always wanted to be. A chairman sitting easy in a big easy chair.

With me in the top spot, you can rely on my selfishness, pretentiousness, narcissism, and complete devotion to laziness to ensure you won’t even know I’m there. So on whatever day, whatever time they decide to actually have the election, and you look and don’t see my name, remember, Brendan Connolly can possibly do it better than someone else.

I’m the best you got.

Oh yeah, and may God bless something or other you hold dear.

LACKMANN (SCHOOL'S LUNCH COMPANY) WANTS TO NEGOTIATE

2009-04-10T16:55:00.002-04:00

By Buzz Lamb
Staff Writer

Over the last couple of years, Student Government Associations (SGA) on all three campuses have voiced their concern over the quality and pricing of food in the campus cafeterias. SGA members on South Campus were advised not to even bring up the matter at their Student Forum in February. The issue was raised again in March at the Student Forum on North but, if history repeats itself (as the old saying goes) not much will happen.

Lackmann Culinary Services (Lackmann), based in Woodbury, N.Y. (on Long Island) has held the contract to provide to Broward Community College (BCC), now Broward College (BC), since Dec. 17, 2004. That contract is due to expire on Dec. 17, 2009 however it does have a provision in it for an automatic three-year renewal if requested by the college.

According to Bill Pennell, BC Chief Financial Officer, the food service provider preceding Lackmann was Sodexo, a French multi-national corporation and food service provider to over 600 campuses in the U.S. and Canada. Pennell said that when BCC released RFP 805-002, Food Service – College-wide, in November 2004 to secure proposals from firms interested in providing cafeteria service, catering and vending for the college, Lackmann was the lone company to respond.

Pennell said that when Sodexo was managing the food service it was costing the college over $200,000 per year. According to a letter dated Nov. 19, 2004, Lackmann’s financial agreement with the college allowed for a flat $28,000 commission in the first year; $28,000 commission or 18 percent of sales (whichever is greater), plus a 1.5 percent utilities charge in year two; and $28,000 commission or 18 percent of sales (whichever is greater) plus a 3 percent utilities charge in years three through five.

The letter also stated that Lackmann would invest $100,000 into the dining services at BCC and it was signed by Andrew W. Lackmann, Vice President – Development and Marketing. Pennell said that his office monitors Lackmann’s performance with regard to contractual obligations and indicated Lackmann has completed $70,000 of improvements to date.

Kathy Reese, an administrative assistant at Lackmann’s corporate headquarters referred all questions to their regional operations manager. Ed Godziszewski (“everybody calls me Eddie G”) called back to answer any questions. He said the company has enjoyed the partnership it has had with the college over the last four-plus years and looks forward to renewing that affiliation.

The contract makes mention of a food service committee and when asked if one existed Eddie G responded that he has made some requests from his side to get one going but nobody has wanted to participate. “There is not one on-going that I know of,” he said. He also said he was not aware that SGA had raised concerns about pricing and quality at the Student Forums.

“It’s really strange that they have these forums and then they don’t get back to me. How can I deal with the issues if I don’t know about them?” he asked.

According to Pennell, each campus, through Student Affairs, is supposed to have a committee to review customer service aspects of Lackmann’s performance. “I’m aware of initial meetings when I first got involved several years ago, but I believe there have been few, if any, meetings recently,” Pennell wrote in response to a question in an e-mail. Pennell added that in the past feedback has been provided to Lackmann where certain improvements can be made and they have adjusted menus to try to address student/customer concerns.

According to Eddie G, the predominant complaint on all of the college campuses, not just BC, is food pricing. “In the 35 years that I have been in the college food service business, that’s number one,” he said. He went on to explain that the company only operates on the campuses for approximately 30 weeks but they have to maintain their staff year round. “It’s just tough making ends meet,” he said. “There’s a lot of completion out there. Students bringing their own lunch…fast food chains located close to the campuses…it all adds up,” he lamented.

Eddie G also said it was a real test for his company when the college switched to block scheduling. “Business on Fridays is off 47 percent,” he exclaimed. “North Campus has been a challenge for us over the years as well, but now we have the right people (working) there.”

Lackmann provides food service for numerous colleges such as Hofstra University, Pace, St. John Fisher, Miami-Dade and Adelphi. Broward College SGA’s are not alone in voicing complaints about Lackmann. A Feb. 28, 2008 article in Hofstra’s college newspaper The Chronicle reported that their SGA issued a resolution addressing multiple issues with Lackmann including the fact that multi-cultural clubs were dissatisfied with the authenticity of cultural foods provided by Lackmann.

Student’s palates have changed over the years as well. According to a Feb. 25, 2009 press release from Sodexo, their customer insight experts culled through 20 years of menus in hundreds of cafés served by the company and in keeping with the latest flavor trends, came up with a list of the top 10 foods preferred by college students today, and 20 years ago. (See chart below)

Not everyone complains about Lackmann. Miguel Ramirez, Events Coordinator for BC Public Relations said he is very pleased with the services offered by Lackmann. “I get a lot of compliments regarding the food they serve. I use them 90% of the time when I plan events,” he said. “I think they would be very cooperative in resolving any student complaints.” Ramirez said he sometimes uses other caterers in the Fort Lauderdale area when he needs specialty or ethnic foods. “I think their pricing is reasonable as well,” he added.

Contrary to popular belief, Lackmann does not have exclusive rights, or the right of first refusal to the catering service for college events. For example, at the Student Forum on North Campus in March, Student Life chose Exquisite Catering by Robert to cater the luncheon. Event planners are able to get competitive quotes from local companies and from Lackmann as well.

As mentioned before, the current contract has a provision for an automatic three-year renewal. Eddie G said his company is currently working on a proposal requesting that the contract be extended. Pennell said the college would only do that only if it was in both BC’s and Lackmann’s best interest.

Pennell indicated that, as a rule, the BC Board of Trustees does not like to do that type of thing (contract extensions) so he believes the college may look to do another RFP to assure a solid competitive bid process.

In either case, Eddie G said Lackmann wants to continue providing food service to BC. “We just started hitting the mark as far as profit is concerned.

We will be happy to sit down and re-negotiate if that is what the college wants to do. After four-and-a-half years at Broward College, we know the business real well. We want to stay,” he said.

FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK SAVES COLLEGE MONEY

2009-04-10T16:53:00.002-04:00

By Kelly Rivera
Staff Writer

Before beginning a college career, you remember wishing you didn’t have to go to class on Friday. The end of the week would inevitably come around and you’d think to yourself, ‘I don’t want to go to school, it’s the beginning of my weekend!’ Well, your wishes have come true. Recently, Broward College’s (BC) Board of Trustees unanimously passed a four-day workweek schedule for summer sessions.

This new schedule change is being made in order to help the school save money. “We are trying to attain cost savings in buildings that we close on all three campuses,” Dr. Edna Chun said.

Chun, Vice President for Human Resources & Equity, estimated that the savings to the college is projected to be from $23,000 to $50,000, depending on how many buildings are closed on Friday. BC Chief Financial Officer, Bill Pennell, said that his office would be comparing the utility bills from prior years to determine the cost savings.

Economics Professor Hugo Villegas said he loves the idea of the four-day workweek because it gives people more down time and not keeping students and faculty stuck in a room all week long will encourage them to be happier.

Courtney Grosse, Film/Media Studies major, is opposed to the idea. “I don’t think this should go on, it’s not a good idea, the great thing about college is that you can take classes whenever you want, whenever it’s convenient for you, and changing that just isn’t right.”

The libraries will continue to remain open, as will South Campus’ Aviation School and North Campus’ nursing program. In order to save money and conserve energy, BC will be closing unneeded buildings from Thursday evening through Sunday of each week during the summer session between May 11 and August 15.

During this time, security will be highly enforced to ensure that the buildings are not occupied or vandalized. BC President J. David Armstrong, Jr. also said he plans to have the college turn off air conditioners in the portables when they are not being used to save the school more money and conserve energy. Armstrong also said the maintenance department plans on taking advantage of the closure to do routine repairs while the buildings are unoccupied.

The four-day workweek plan will be beneficial to students by giving them more free time and cutting transportation costs. “There will also be a cost savings for students because they will only have to drive to campus four days a week as opposed to five,” said Armstrong.

Electrical Engineering major Luis Ballester said, “The school's [goal] should always be about what’s in the best interest of the student. The school has to recognize that it still functions thanks to the high attendance of students always enrolling.”

This plan is only in effect during summer sessions. “We could never do this year-round,” Armstrong added. “Our buildings are so over-utilized during the fall and winter terms that it would be impossible.” Armstrong said there is less demand for space in the summer, which is the reason the pilot program is being attempted during that time period.

IN WITH THE NEW, OUT WITH THE OLD WEBSITE

2009-04-10T16:46:00.006-04:00

Old Website

New Website

By Caroline Walker
Staff Writer

A college website is the first glance of the school seen by eager students interested in enrolling. The website is where information about the college is found, how to apply and what it can offer to students looking to start or continue their education.

On Sunday, March 29 a new website was launched for all Broward College (BC) students.
“The new website will be easier for students to navigate and reduce the number of pages,” said Karen Peruzzi, assistant director of Web Support SVC of Information Technology at BC. The site, which has been in the redesigning process for two years now, was developed by five separate tech people from Information Technology.

Students were confused by navigation of the old website and this new site will be clearer for students to find things, said Peruzzi. Surveys were held at student events and open houses where students, faculty and parents were asked to look at the previous site and find what they didn’t like about it. “We found that it took longer for students to find links to certain pages they wanted to access,” said Peruzzi.

After researching student’s needs the redesigning process began. More color and a modern style were created for an eye appealing website, said Peruzzi. The new website is now more helpful to students and is connecting all campuses. It has many new options for current, transfer and future students making it more student-centric, it’s all about what they need and want, said Peruzzi.

The Career Center, Student Success and Campus Life are the new main navigation tools on the site. A dropdown search, a turning calendar, and having access to changing the announcements is all new to the homepage.

“I had just gotten used to how the website operated and now it’s changed making me have to learn how to use it all over again,” said Psychology major Alexandria Meyer.
After the website was redesigned, it was presented to Broward College Leadership for approval and later was launched.

Also a “maps page” has been added with a link to Google Maps that shows all of the campuses. Information about local transportation that is provided at BC is also available on the same page.
“Pages will all have certain links to them and the pages will be condensed,” said Peruzzi.

A tutoring page was added for all campuses and also a Child Care page for students who have children, providing information about the program for each campus. Page resizing and bookmarks are now on each page link; email is still set up the same next to student log in.

“I like how the new homepage has the BC Seahawks emblem, it makes it a more personal website and gives off the vibe of a more friendly school,” Amanda Ortega, Communications major said.

Students are able to voice their opinion on what they don’t like and what they would like to see on the homepage. “Surveys are there on the rotating announcements and on the Contact Us page, we want feedback to make sure the students like what is happening,” said Peruzzi.

SOCIAL STATUS OF BLACK MEN AND BOYS ON A MISSION

2009-04-10T16:41:00.002-04:00

By Stephanie Brossard
Contributing Writer

Motivational speakers, a Hall of Fame football player, community involvement, appetizing food and the question about the crisis of the social status of black men were all present in the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Liberal Arts Building on central campus on March 27.

Broward College (BC) students and faculty members and even students from local high schools such as Taravella and Dillard were present to take note of the convention on the status of black men and boys.

The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is on a mission to constantly strive to alleviate and correct the underlying conditions that affect black males throughout the state of Florida and to bring about an environment that promotes the value of learning, family, prosperity, unity and self-worth among black gentlemen.

BC President J. David Armstrong, Jr. opened the event by addressing the importance of seeing each student graduate and how he looks forward to it.

Several other people attended the conference such as psychologist, former Miami dolphin players, founders of the organization, state attorneys and much more. Of the attendees that were there Dr. Na’im Akbar author of “Visions for Black Men” was the first guest speaker at the affair. To many he was the most influential lecturer. Akbar, more or less a black activist as he was quoted making remarks like “we were the first to roam the universe… everyone came from Africa.”

He furthermore explained all the negative aspects which blacks obtain. As he went over the various realistic fact of black culture such as how blacks have the highest rate of failure, and how they had the largest number of convicted felons, several students had an awakening moment. One of which was BC student Wes Bradford. “It really teaches you a lot, to think of where you came from, now having an outlook on life,” said Bradford.

Nevertheless it wasn’t all discouraging. Akbar enlightened the crowd on how one can resolve the contradictions which society has placed upon black men by using three Cs: competence, courage and consciousness. Explaining that blacks demonstrated competence because they have mastered every field they go into, how blacks demonstrate courage because, despite the malicious experiences which they went through they over came the obstacles. For instance, how in the olden day blacks were beaten and tortured for reading yet today we have black lawyers, doctors and even presidents.

Dr. Akbar concluded his speech with a moving quote form Maya Angelou “we still rise.”

The conference continued with additional guest speakers such as hall of fame Miami Dolphins football player, Dwight Stephenson who spoke of the importance of developing healthy relationships. Stephenson even used other NFL players as examples such as Terrell Owens. Stating that the professional football player was a selfish individual, however, if he were to develop a better relationship he could excel more, even becoming as good as Jerry Rice, another NFL player.
It was an active discussion, students asked many questions, however none of them pertained to the topic which Stephenson spoke; instead the students were interested in knowing why he chose football rather then basketball, being that was his most beloved sport.

Kionne McGhee, the ex-convict who graduated high school whit a dreadful 1.9 GPA yet still overcame the obstructions which life threw his way and later became an assistant state attorney. He spoke about strategies for the black male to achieve success. His speech sounded somewhat similar to Akbar, however less significant then the renowned psychologist was still incredibly moving.

Many students found his words to be quite poignant. “It made me realize that self accomplishment is significant, one should get their priorities straight, start thinking about the future I know I am” said BC student Bertin Semelfort.

As the conference came to a close, various audience members left the laughter-filled auditorium with autographed books, gift bag bags and with the knowledge of success for black male students.

MARILYN NELSON POETIC SESSION

2009-04-10T16:38:00.002-04:00

By Liz Fleming
Contributing Writer

Broward College Foundation in conjunction with the Hannah Kahn Poetry Foundation brought Marilyn Nelson to South Campus. Over 60 people filled the lecture hall, building 698/room 133, to hear the ethereal, methodic voice read from among her 10 published books of poetry.

The highly-accredited Nelson was the second installment in a series of three poetry readings hosted by Barbara Nightingale, President of the Hannah Kahn Poetry Foundation and English Professor at BC. Nelson stunned the audience with her honest depictions of dissection, slavery accounts and a lynching.

Nelson began reading from The Freedom Business, a book containing both an actual narrative by the slave Venture Smith and Nelson’s response to the narratives in the form of poetry.
Caroline Lavayen, BC sophomore, connected with “A Voyage by Sea” from this book. Lavayen said it was the most descriptive and kept her attention the best. She also commented that it was “interesting how most of what she writes is on history.”

Nelson read 3 more poems from Fortune’s Bones, an account of the first known skeleton in the United States, located in Waterbury, Conn. The poems from this book were also written as songs which were performed by a soloist to “soothe the community” once they had learned the story of how the bones became a skeleton.

Nelson recounted the story saying the bones were actually a slave’s, Fortune, whose owner had dissected his body and then drilled holes into the bones so he could reassemble them for learning purposes.

A Wreath for Emit Till, the story of a 14-year-old boy being lynched in 1955, was the last book Nelson read from; the entire book was one poem. Nelson recounted her own version of what may have happened to Emit Till and read the entire Heroic Crown of Sonnets. David Plumb, Associate Professor at BC North Campus, responded by writing his own poem as Nelson read hers aloud. “It reminded me of why I write and why history is important in a time when in our culture we don’t take time to reflect,” Plumb said about A Wreath for Emit Till.

Publishers send Nelson ideas about historical events and she responds to them; however, her favorite era to write about is the 19 century. Some of her awards include: the Anisfield-Wolf Award and the Poets’ Prize. She is a three-time National Book Award finalist. You can learn more about Marilyn Nelson at poets.org.

The last poetry reading in the series will take place on April 20, and will be the renowned Molly Peacock, which you can learn more about on mollypeacock.org. To join the mailing list of the Hannah Kahn Poetry Foundation sign-up at hannahkahn.org.

STUDENT ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING AN OFFICER

2009-04-10T16:30:00.006-04:00

By Philippe Buteau
Copy Editor

Barrington Deferrell, a Broward College (BC) student is in hot water with Pembroke Pines Police and possibly the college.

A student from the science lab went to the safety office and advised the safety-student worker that three individuals, Deferrell among them, were smoking what appeared to be marijuana according to the BC incident report.

Campus Safety Officers (CSO) Reinaldo Castillo said that they received the call around 2:37 p.m. on March 25. According to the incident report Castillo and CSO James Champagne responded to the complaint and after arriving to building 70 asked Deferrell to approach them. “We saw one of them puffing it up. When he saw us, he got up, walked away and started running,” said Castillo.

The incident report says that Champagne called Pembroke Pines Police Department Officer E. Guy for assistance. Castillo said the detail officer (Guy) told Deferrell to stop but he didn’t. “When you start running from us and you start running from the police, you’re running for a reason,” said Castillo.

In an interview following the incident Deferrell said that after seeing his counselor he smoked a Black & Mild cigar with some friends. He admits to leaving when Campus Safety approached him because he had to take a College Placement Test.

From the city’s complaint affidavit, Guy “observed the odor of burnt cannabis.” He made several, more than 10, verbal commands for Deferrell to stop but instead increased his speed.

As he walked up the staircase on the east side of building 70 he says he heard someone behind to tell him to stop and he replied “I don’t know you,” and the person punched him. He turned around and saw that it was a police officer and went on his knees and allowed himself to be handcuffed.

On the other side of the story, the affidavit says after reaching the stairs Deferrell “quickly turned around into an aggressive fighting stance.” Guy gained control of the situation and placed Deferrell in handcuffs. He was then transported to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Deferrell’s offenses according to the affidavit were assault on a law enforcement officer (LEO) and obstruction- resisting officer without violence.

After being taken to the BSO Deferrell said that the report was changed when the officers noticed bruises he had on his hands from the week prior. “A homeboy and I got into a fight, that’s how I got the bruises. When they saw that, they changed the whole report from marijuana possession to assault on a LEO,” he said.

Because of Deferrell’s resistance, the other three individuals were able to get away, for the time being, scot-free. Castillo said that they did not know the names of the other two. He said that although they saw the faces of the other two they “just went after him [Deferrell] because he was the only one to walk away from the bench.”

“If he would’ve sat there and listened to us nothing would’ve happened,” Castillo said.

What will be the fate of Deferrell?

Lieutenant James Sutton of South Campus Safety said this is going to go to the office of the Dean of Student Affairs, Janice Stubbs.” They’re probably going to want to interview all parties involved and make a decision from there,” he said.

Stubbs said that because there is no evidence of Deferrell using a controlled substance she could only warn him with regard to the suspicion of drug use. “Regarding the resisting of a command from a law enforcement officer, I'm still waiting on the police report from the City of Pembroke Pines,” said Stubbs.

Deferrell is awaiting a trial.

DEBBIE OBILE WINS CENTRAL CAMPUS NEXT TOP MODEL

2009-04-10T16:19:00.002-04:00

By Jillian Goltzman
Staff Writer

Fashion icon Coco Chanel once said “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

On March 31 true fashion was at Broward College as well! Five promising girls performed in front of a BC audience, two Miami Fashion class judges and Project Runway’s Jerell Scott for the title of Central’s Next Top Model at Central Campus outside of Bldg. 19.

The five finalists, Amanda Walker, Evena Seneque, Debbie Obile, Linda Cearc, and Danielle Brown didn’t just spring up out of thin air! The first Central’s Next Top Model competition took place on Feb 18. After the judges picked Richard Michel for the male top model they chose five of the twelve female models to move on to the finals. The competition included modeling, style and even acting challenges.

The outcome of over 50 BC students created uproar of cheers when Project Runway’s Jerell Scott emerged from the doors of Bldg. 19. After weeks of watching Jerell produced his wild and wonderful creations on the show, students who were fans showed their excitement.
Scott hosted the show and was as enthusiastic as to be giving his time. “It was a lot of fun! There was definitely a lot of energy. I think that anything that could bring the school together and unite people is amazing. I was glad to be a part of it,” he admitted.

When it came to the scoring the judges knew best! Returning Central’s Next Top Model judge from Model Incorporated International, Chris Phasion, and Model Incorporated International’s model Nia Burnett. Burnett claimed “We were just looking for a girl that had a great attitude, a girl that was confident and fashionable for the industry. We weren’t really looking for the height or weight, the industry has changed a lot. We were looking for a girl who over all has that ‘it factor.’”

The show opened with the contestants coordinated dance. During a brief intermission the crowd was entertained by the local band Lady Galaga. Lady Galaga, an edgy alternative band, consists of BC’s very own Aaron Harnamji and Evan Gothelf along with friend, Chris Sanchez.
Following Lady Galaga was BC student and rap artist Carl Fortune, further known by his stage name S3H. The contestants walked the runway and “vogued” for the cameras during Fortune’s appearance.

Not only must a model work the runway but they should work their style! The next challenge was the style challenge. The five contestants were given a hat to style an outfit around and model with. The hats ranged from trucker caps to tennis visors and each girl had a different style. Walker won the challenge for style. Walker was content with her prize and suggested to future contestants “If you really want to do it show that you really want to . . . just have fun with it!”

Finally the time came to announce the winner! The judges each discussed what the girls had to offer and what they lacked. Some lacked confidence while some lacked modesty. After consolidating, Scott spoke the final words that the audience wanted to hear. Central’s Next Top Model was Obile.

Obile won a digital camera and free modeling contract, photo shoot, and training with Model Incorporated International.

Obile, elated with her win, admitted “I love to work the runway.” She could not believe the outcome of the show. “This better not be an early April Fool’s joke!” she exclaimed.

Obile was not the only one who enjoyed the show. Obile’s friend and BC student Cassandra Desrameaux said “I think that from the beginning ‘til now it was a great outcome. There were different models, different sizes. It was beautiful and a great show. You didn’t just see the same type of girl . . . and that’s what made it good!”

Hissa Jean-Jacques, BC student admitted, “The show was great! I enjoyed it a lot.”

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR FOR SOFTBALL TEAM

2009-04-10T16:09:00.007-04:00

Lady Seahawks are in last place in one of the toughest conferences in Florida.

By Jonathan Vega
Contributing Writer

Coach Brian Staubly was pulling out his hair watching his team's performance on March 26 against a formidable Brevard softball team. In the first of the two games the major theme was errors and “major” is an understatement.

The Seahawks committed nine errors en route to a 10-2 blowout which cut the game an inning short. The game was close until the third inning when the Seahawks committed two errors to begin the inning, putting runners on second and third with nobody out when it could've been two outs with no one on base. The next batter doubled in the two runs and the rout was on.

Starting pitcher, Jillian Burdick, went five innings allowing nine runs but only four of which were earned. She did this sporting her brother's high school and college number, 19. He is currently serving his second tour in Iraq and Burdick said, “As soon as I got a chance to change my number I grabbed number 19 for him.” She also stressed the importance of defense for her team to come out and win the second game. She got a much deserved rest in the second game but still cheered wildly for her team.

One of the few bright spots, Megan Sewell, got on base every time she was at bat with three walks and scored one of the two runs for Broward. She commented after the game saying, “It felt really good getting on base so much, but it would've felt better if we would've won.” Coach Staubly also commented after the first game saying, “Our defense killed us. We made some mistakes on defense when they had no one on base and it just snowballed from there.”
Sami Christiansen also had a good game with two hits including an RBI double in the fourth inning.

The second game was nothing short of a pitcher's duel. Misty Huber, who sat out game one, came in and simply displayed dominance. She had three strikeouts in the second inning before allowing a slap shot to Brevard's lead-off hitter which fell between the Seahawks’ right and center fielder. The ball rolled to the wall allowing the speedy hitter to come all the way around for an inside-the-park home run. After that Huber went right back to dominating the other team, striking out four more batters for a total of seven in the game.

A costly error in the fifth inning with two outs allowed two more runs to score for Brevard and pretty much sealed the game. Brevard's starter threw a gem for the Lady Titans allowing only two hits in the entire game, and pitching a shutout. Broward came up just short by a score of 3-0 in the end.

Coach Staubly commented on the second game saying, “We played better defense and Misty pitched a great game.” Huber, who didn't even know she had seven strikeouts until she was told said, “We did a lot better, we made some errors which really shouldn't happen but I liked our defense in the second game.”

Currently the Lady Seahawks are last in one of the toughest conferences in the state; a conference of five teams, three of which are 10 ten in the state and two of which are top 10 in the country. Brevard is one of those teams. Staubly said that his team can compete with every one of those teams, but mental mistakes are the only things stopping them. The Seahawks will face Indian River next as they continue to vie for a playoff seed.

BENJY DAVIS, TWO THUMBS UP!

2009-04-10T16:00:00.002-04:00

By Stephanie Brossard
Contributing Writer

Ever find yourself humming to a song playing throughout the speakers of a grocery store, but never figuring out the actual name of the band? This has become the perfect personification of the sound of The Benjy Davis Project (BDP).

Their memorable hits are very catchy still they are not well-liked. The group pitches their music somewhere between the outlet store friendly styles of Counting Crows and the mature pop/rock sound of Better than Ezra. The type of music you would more than likely hear through the speakers of your local Starbucks.

The Louisiana-based group unlike today’s music artists, stick to tradition. Their music maintains the customary southern-influenced style which they started off with since the debut of their first album “More Than Local.” The BDP have continued that habit throughout their other albums, presently in their recently released fourth album “Dust” the band uncommonly uses a variety of instruments ranging from banjos, mandolins and harmonicas.

Just as they utilize different instruments they also highlight their many sentiments. From the emotional stature of “The Rain” which interprets those hard days when an individual just wants to get away. To their heartfelt romantic hit “I Love You” which isn’t your typical love song, however, none of their songs have been ordinary. Their music portrays the true meaning of life, love and the attitudes of college kids growing up in today's society.

The Benjy Davis Project sound more or less like The Fray, not only because of their likable tunes, but also because that they too deliver somewhat of a hidden religious message. In songs like “Whose God” the bands catchy beat simply appears as a song about the world around us but in actuality reads between the lines of which God would want the malicious things of this world to be the way they are; though sadly unlike The Fray the BDP have not yet received any airplay on religious stations.

The group continues to advocate their proud, soulful, southern expression tradition of music that speaks to listeners everywhere. Giving a new sound to southern music the album “Dust” takes those customs to new height.

ADVENTURELAND, NOT YOUR AVERAGE TEEN SEX ROMP

2009-04-10T15:56:00.002-04:00

By Cody McGowan

Staff Writer

Sometimes I feel as though I can’t throw a rock without hitting a teen comedy. An endless stream of hormonally-charged cinema constantly bombards the American public.

So it is pleasant to see a movie once in a while that rises above the empty-headed redundancy of the norm. “Adventureland,” Greg Mottola’s love letter to the freedom of youth on the verge of adulthood, represents a different kind of movie. It’s not a teen comedy, but rather a young adult comedy; one that captures an adolescent wistfulness with a maturity and poignancy that is not easily found in your average teen sex romp.

Centering on James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), a recent college graduate looking for a summer job to help pay his way in graduate school, “Adventureland” tells the story of one summer’s effect on the lives of the employees of the titular location. Brennan makes new friends and falls in love, while at the same time coming to terms with getting older and taking responsibility for his life. Kristen Stewart, of Twilight fame, stars opposite Eisenberg as love-interest Em Lewin. As the summer progresses, Brennan and Lewin’s romance grows, and as they get closer potentially damaging secrets are revealed about Lewin’s past, and present.

“Adventureland” is, very simply put, Cameron Crowe’s “Say Anything…” for the post-“Napoleon Dynamite” set. It’s surprisingly sincere, despite its occasional forays into a modernist detachment. This serves as the weakest part of “Adventureland,” and more than once threatens to undermine an otherwise earnest and heartfelt movie. In fact, it’s so pervasive in the first twenty or so minutes that I almost lost interest completely. However, once the plot gets going it becomes quite obvious that this is a movie worth watching.

One of the more interesting traits of the movie is the relative lack of melodrama. It’s true that for all of its genuine sincerity “Adventureland” can be sappier than a Bob Seger song, but every character is well rounded and very human. Problems are addressed, but not all are resolved. There is enough reality to this picture to give it the weight of true honesty. Not every beginning has an end and not every end is happily ever after.

It’s this kind of open-endedness that saves the movie from being just another run of the mill coming of age flick.

There is an unwritten rule in American society that says college is the time to decide who you want to be for the rest of your life. “Adventureland” is a movie for those who have not yet decided who they are, and what defines them. It’s a movie for the people who have not yet caught up with life, who take on the world at their own pace, whether they chose to or not. It’s for the romantics who believe that you can be whatever you want to be when you grow up but who aren’t ready to grow up yet.

FAST & FURIOUS MOVIE REVIEW

2009-04-10T15:51:00.002-04:00

By Cody McGowan

Staff Writer

It’s surprising to me how popular “The Fast and the Furious” franchise has become. I suppose it shouldn’t be, really. The recipe is basic enough: fast cars, big explosions, tight clothing over well-formed bodies. It seems too simple not to work. However, what it amounts to, despite its fairly standard make-up, is an original idea. Perhaps not the most original, but one without a built-in audience ready to support it. In a time when the few movies that gain a following are ones that are based on properties with origins outside the world of cinema, (I’m looking at you “The Dark Knight”) it’s refreshing to see something new and, however mildly, daring come to the big screen. The latest in the franchise, the unimaginatively named “Fast & Furious,” continues this tradition of illegal street-racing, rogue-copping, vigilante-justicing and brain-melting excitement.

Let me be very clear: this movie, objectively speaking, is not good. It is, in fact, a bad movie. The acting is subpar, the direction is questionable, and the writing is juvenile. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel reprise their roles as Brian O’Conner and Dominic Toretto, respectively.

In this installment, Toretto is out for blood against the people who wronged him, the very same gang of miscreants that the recently reinstated FBI agent O’Conner is investigating. Can you say coincidence? Beyond that, the plot gets murkier and murkier, but really, who needs it? Toward the beginning O’Conner resolutely declares to Toretto that “a lot has changed.” But you know what? It hasn’t. Not one bit in four movies. Cars go fast, cars crash, cars go fast then crash. That’s all that matters.

The sole merit of this movie is in its stunt work. Where it is common for modern movies to rely on computer generated images in lieu of old-fashioned stunts, “Fast & Furious” provides some of the most exciting car chases in recent memory, in particular the opening scene. This works both for and against the movie, as it easily grabs the attention of the viewer, but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that not a single part of the movie could live up to its first ten minutes. The relative uniqueness of using stunt-people instead of computer animation gives “Fast & Furious” enough credibility to warrant at least a glance.

There’s not much to say, in the end, about “Fast &Furious.” It’s simple, sometimes painfully so. It’s not great cinema. It’s not even a great action movie. It is, nevertheless, a genuine action movie, something that is fading from the public view. “Fast &Furious” is a movie that, setting aside its flaws (and there are many), values humanity over technology. It’s a rarity in the megaplex and one that should be appreciated for its commitment to that ideal. So crank up the Don Omar, buy American, and allow “Fast &Furious” to Tokyo drift its way into your heart.

"ANNA IN THE TROPICS" TRANSPORTS ITS AUDIENCE TO THE 1920s

2009-04-10T15:41:00.002-04:00

By Cheryl A. Post
Contributing Writer

The Broward College Fine Arts Theatre presented Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize winning play “Anna in the Tropics” from March 19-28 at Central Campus directed by Mariah R. Johnson.

Set in the 1920s in the area of Ybor City, Fla. (a city founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor in the late 1800s as a cigar manufacturing center) the play centers around a Cuban-American family and their business of hand rolling cigars while the country is on the verge of a major depression.

Johnson (director) added in the playbill that “Political and Economic forces created a sense of unease in Americans, but possibly more was felt by the community of refugees who came to Florida seeking to preserve a way of life and culture of tradition.” She went on to add that, “In this play the old ways are being challenged by an increasingly industrialized and mechanized society, not unlike today’s struggle between the analog and digitized manner in which we work, play and communicate with one another.”

The supporting cast, upon much research, depicted “Anna in the Tropics” in a very real and genuinely believable way and included (in order of appearance): Eliades (Anderson Freitas); Santiago (Jonathan Varillas); head of the family business, husband to Ofelia and father to Conchita and Marela, Cheche (Michael Rodney); the boisterous half brother who helps with the business Ofelia (Lillian Franky); wife to Santiago and matriarch of the family, Conchita (Natalia Sanchez); the eldest daughter, Marela (Sophie Snyder); the youngest daughter and Juan Julian (Issam Villamil) the much anticipated lector. Other cast members included 4 travelers that included: Peppino (Andres Maldonado); Palomo (Juan David Botero); Manola (Elisa Welch) and Pascual Torino (Yamil Jaman).

The play begins with Ofelia, Cochita and Marela anticipating the arrival of Juan Julian (the lector) by ship and the gambling of Santiago and Cheche.
From the beginning of the play the cast used all their abilities and put their hearts into the portrayal of their characters. Love, lust, betrayal, infidelity, loyalty, dedication and humor are all elements of the everyday happenings in and around the cigar factory. Juan Julian begins his first lecture with the reading of Tolstoy’s novel, “Anna Karenina” and this great work of literature educates and forever transforms those who listen.

Their lives come undone at the seams as Santiago begins to neglect the business, indebted to Cheche because of gambling, as well as spending too much time with the bottle and with Ofelia forced to take his place, she bears the burden of running the business and “keeping her girls’ feet on the ground.”

This is not an easy task as Conchita falls for the lector, who doesn’t value machines and says, “The words he reads are like a breeze that breaks the monotony of the factory,” and the passion rises. As her husband becomes aware of the affair the he contemplates the words read by the lector and seeks to win back the heart of his wife.

Marela dreams of going to Russia and the affect the book has on her is evident in the power of her words as she speaks. Her dreams are brought to an end when she is attacked by Cheche whose thoughts turn to his dead wife on a daily basis because of the words from the novel. Now it seems that she is alone and lost in a world of sadness because of being unable to reveal what happened.

After all is said and done the family pulls together and human communication on their part is at the forefront. Towards the end of the second and final act, the family is decorating for a celebration, one that Santiago (who is back in control of himself and the family business) says “will last all day long – that of gypsies and bohemian!”

The celebration is the introduction of a new cigar, “Anna Karenina” and Marela is chosen by her father to be on the label. All in attendance sample the new cigar and sing its praises, but a surprise twist happens when Cheche kills Juan Julian (the lector) in cold blood during the celebration. Though they are devastated, they continue the reading of the novel as a sort of memoriam and life continues.

The cast as a whole were very in tune with their characters and gave strong performances, but it was the part of Ofelia (Sanchez) that I walked away the most impressed by. She made me think, feel and laugh, and there was a moment in the play when Santiago says to Ofelia, “I try to take inventory of what I have done wrong, every time I lose. I feel as if something has been taken away from me.” As he looks into her eyes, Ofelia replies, “If you had lost me, I would not be here. If you had lost me, I would not be by your side.”

Perhaps Marela sums it up best when she says in Act 2, “We work hard enough. We deserve all that life offers us, and life is made of little moments, little moments as small as violet petals. Little moments I could save in a jar and keep forever, like now….”

RELAY FOR LIFE COMES TO BROWARD COLLEGE

2009-04-10T15:31:00.002-04:00

By Vanessa Chang
Staff Writer

There was heavy cloud cover for a large part of the day on March 27 but that couldn’t keep the American Cancer Society from encoring Relay for Life at South Campus this year.

The Opening Ceremony began at 2 p.m. and it would set the tone for the upcoming 18 hours of reflections, unity and community service that would take place.

The relay was setup on the out skirts of the lake located directly in front of the campus. Surrounding its perimeter were individual luminarias (which were filled with sand and lit during the ceremony) that represented those who have lost the battle to cancer, those still fighting and those who have survived.

This year a there was a twist that would create a special ambience on the lake; a floating message that would light up when the Luminaria Ceremony would begin. The message was the word “hope.”

Teresa Justice, Dean of Academic Resources and Instructional Technology on South Campus said, “American Cancer Society approached me about having a relay.”

Why South Campus? From what Justice could recall, when the representatives from the American Cancer Society saw the lake they thought it would be a great venue. “I agreed,” said Justice.

As the afternoon set sail, students from North, South, Central and Downtown campuses all came together to participate and support their teams.

Alpha Delta Rho held games in the afternoon for the children that came out to support with their parents. Susan Wong, an Alpha Delta Rho member said, “Great event, so many involved.”
In addition to raising over $390, Alpha Delta Rho also decorated the luncheon that was held in the Breeze Way Café for the cancer survivors and their care takers.

Many other school organizations were involved such as Student Life, The American West Indies Club, Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa.

Jonathan Stern, a returning student to Broward College said, “I wished for a better turnout.” Yet, overall he said he was there for support and the experience.

Unfortunately, the time was limited this year to have dedicated planning admitted Cindy Denkhoff, a 12 year active Relay for Life supporter/event organizer and Senior Executive Assistant of Information Technology. She said that due to changes being made at the college, only about a month’s time was allotted for planning and organizing.

Samuel Feliciano a current student at South Campus knew exactly why he was there. “I’m here to promote cancer awareness,” he said.

DJ Gary Allen, who voluntarily offered his time after the DJ who was first booked was unable to attend, kept the sound going from 2 to 10 p.m.

There was even a live performance by Community Coalition, a choir group who brought Relay for Life a spiritual brand of entertainment.

While some students mingled and enjoyed the entertainment, others were on a mission to fulfill the true meaning of the Relay and to execute their18 hours of awareness. Cancer never sleeps and as it got later into the night the volunteers kept on relaying.

At midnight a movie screen was placed near the lake and the volunteers enjoyed a movie underneath the stars.

As for the fundraising, well that has just begun. Last year the college raised about $12,000 and this year it is hoping to raise more.

If you are interested in donating, please go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=13262 and choose which team you would like to make a donation towards.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES STUDENT FORUM AT NORTH CAMPUS

2009-04-10T15:17:00.002-04:00

By Amy Snitehurst
North Bureau Chief

On Tuesday, March 31, the District Board of Trustees formed a panel at North Campus. The Student Government Association (SGA) presented what they hoped to change in the coming year, and what they were pleased had already been improved.

Then the floor was opened up to the students that attended, and they wrote down their concerns for James Evans, Associate Dean of Student Affairs on North Campus, who presented them to President J. David Armstrong Jr. It lasted for about an hour, and the meeting room was completely packed with students and faculty.

The president revealed at the meeting that there is an increase in financial aid and work study money for Broward College (BC), due to the “Finish What You Start” campaign. Also the North Campus update is that they will be using solar paneling to save on electricity, although there was no target date specified as to when they will be up and running.

A student friendly online education plan modification was proposed by SGA, similar to the one used at Valencia Community College in Orlando. Other issues included more intern/mentorship opportunities, pave the parking lot by Building 60, open computer lab until 1 a.m., greater variety of session 2 and 4 courses, and healthy affordable food in the cafeteria.

When it was opened to the other students, their concerns were about football, vacation plan, tuition, and healthy cafeteria food also. Armstrong said that state law would have to change in order for BC to have a football team, and that it is too costly a sport. The vacation plan was unlike other Broward County schools and colleges, because the faculty felt that it was best for student learning. He seemed to indicate that the tuition was only being raised for Bachelor’s Degrees, which would still be cheaper than other Florida institutions. Last was the cafeteria issue, the president felt that the students should get together with the workers and devise a new menu.

The 2009 Student Open Forum concluded with student government presenting Armstrong with a shirt and a plaque. There were issues presented and answers given, it was very organized and hopefully just as productive.

ALL IS FAIR WHEN PARKING AT CENTRAL CAMPUS

2009-04-10T14:58:00.007-04:00

By Cheryl A. Post
Contributing Writer

Parking at Central Campus has become not only a chore since the ongoing construction of the new parking garage, but to some it is a worry and hassle.

It is very common to see anywhere from forty to fifty cars and trucks roaming the campus on any given morning trying to find a space to park so that they can get to class on time. You must arrive by at least 8 - 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday in order to find a space that you and Campus Safety are comfortable with. What I mean by this is getting a space that ensures that no parking ticket will be issued.

On the other hand you can drive around the campus beginning at Florida Atlantic University going on through the construction zone facing College Avenue, the south side, and continue on around to what I would say is the “hottest spot” that one has the potential of receiving a ticket, building 19 where Admissions, Financial Aid, Campus Safety, the Bookstore, the Cafeteria and Student Life (with the student lounge) are housed. Hundreds of vehicles are parked on the lawn, in fire lanes, and in NO PARKING zones.

However, not all of these students receive tickets, so it makes me wonder, what exactly is the procedure for issuing a ticket and why are there so many empty faculty spots? On more than one occasion I have driven around counting the empty spots so desperately needed by the faculty and these numbers ranged anywhere from 22 to 47, and this was only when I myself was desperate for a spot.

In February I received a ticket for parking on the lawn (in the “hot spot”), in front of building 19 and for not having a parking decal showing. I must explain that I had been in this spot since 8:15 a.m. (not the only student parked on the lawn at that time) and did not receive the ticket until after I was out of my Math class that ended at 7:45 p.m. Time on the ticket was 1900 hours, are we in the military? I also had a legal parking decal hanging on my rearview mirror that may have been shaded a bit by the tint at the top of my window, but nevertheless, was displayed.

I feel that campus security or the campus patrolman was so preoccupied by the fact that I was on the lawn (safe and secure), that they failed to see the decal. There arises another question, “What parts of the campus are you allowed to park on while this construction is underway?” Why should only certain areas of the campus be penalized while others park where ever they please?

I could certainly understand my getting a ticket had I arrived on campus after say, lunch or dinner and did not take the opportunity to park in the bumpy cow pasture in the southeast corner near Davie Road, but I was there with all the early birds. Let me add that had campus safety checked my plates they would have found that my Kia Sportage, registered with the college, was not in fact gray, but blue; must have been the poor lighting.

I did return to campus safety and inquire about my ticket explaining the situation fully and they kindly cancelled the ticket, but said that this one, being the second (the first one I got was for backing into a parking space before I knew that was against the rules) would be the last one that they would be able to wipe from my now clean slate. I left the building feeling free, but still question the parking policies and if there really are any during the madness and mayhem of the wonderful new parking garage that, as rumor has it, will still not solve all of the parking issues and difficulties.

On a final note, why not throw in a few more thousand dollars to level the cow pasture and have it paved. I’m sure that there wouldn’t be any flooding because all the water settles just before you get there and off of College Avenue.

2008-10-14T16:57:00.008-04:00

BY IGOR MELLO

SPORTS EDITOR

With the start of the 08-09 Women’s Basketball season set to embark on Oct.18 at the Southern Conference Jamboree, the Lady Seahawks seem poised to prove that things have changed this season. To prepare for the season opener the team held a “Mid-day Madness” scrimmage game on Oct. 4 at the George E. Mayer Gymnasium to display to the fans what is in store for the team this season.

“It’s a good morale-builder. For us as coaches we get to see how some of them play together. Today I learned something new about the team that I didn’t know so that’s why these kind of things are good for the team,” said the new ladies basketball coach Mike Schawe. “Now I know who I got to work and who I don’t have to work.”

Although the team has 11 new freshmen and one transferee, the former assistant coach was there for the ride last season when the ladies fell short at the state tournament and it almost feels as if they have some unfinished business.

“We’re looking to win the conference championship this year. That is our goal. I believe that we can do it,” said Schawe at the Mid-day Madness scrimmage.

After some off-season training and conditioning, the Lady Seahawks took on the hardwood for the Blue vs. White game. As the game progressed, it was clear to see that the top scorer on the court out of both teams was Mellisa Caplan, a transferee from PBCC who scored 32 of the Blue's 68 points in a win over the White team..

“Mellisa Caplan had an outstanding game. She actually impressed me very much, especially how well she worked with the team,” said Schawe. “I knew she was a good player, we were worried about playing her when we played Palm Beach every time.”

Caplan claims that her new team is finally coming together and seems to be happy at her new school.

“I didn’t like the (Palm Beach) coach. I was going to go back but they did not have any room,” said the sophomore forward Caplan. “He wasn’t fair to the team and he just judged me too much so I don’t like him.”

Following the scrimmage the fans got to interact with the players and were later treated with free pizza, macaroni and cheese, curry chicken and pork alongside with free beverages. Schawe promised the fans that they would make it to states and it seems as if the players are behind him.

“I think we’re going to be a great team, we’re young but fast, and strong and really smart,” said sophomore forward Dawna Wright. “Were underdogs, people don’t know what they’re going to get,” said Wright. “They are really going to be shocked on how well this team is.”

The newly promoted coach stressed that the team still needs some improvement on defense and rebounding and is still tweaking the offense.

“We’re going to have a lot of motion, a lot of pick and rolls, a lot of one on one isolations because as you see we have a great shooting team,” said Schawe.

The anticipation is growing, as the Lady Seahawks will tip-off their home opener on Nov. 13 against the Miami Rain AAU team. All home games are scheduled to take place at the Omni Auditorium on North Campus.

Worth The Drive

2008-10-14T16:51:00.002-04:00

By Philippe Buteau
South Bureau Chief

How do I go about reviewing Sex Drive? Should I use almost four hundred words to say how much I enjoyed it, get really cynical and discuss why it isn’t the greatest movie of this type or try to convince those that decided to not see the movie to see it?

Whichever angle I pick I still wouldn’t know where to start.

For example, I could start with the characters. Which, excluding the male and female leads, were really defined, written and played by their respective actors. James Marsden (Cyclops in the X-Men trilogy) did such a good job in a role so different from what I’ve seen him do that I’d go so far as to compare him to Tom Cruise’s character in Tropic Thunder.

But if there was one character that made the movie it would have to be Lance played by Clark Duke. The “get-all-the-girls” nerd is a rare treat in movies, and Duke plays it extremely well.

There are also about a half-a-dozen more well written and played supporting characters, such as the sarcastic Amish mechanic played by Seth Green.

But I don’t want to start this review with the characters. Maybe how funny the movie is?

It certainly is funny, especially if the idea of a cruder American Pie sounds good to you.

However, the funny, which isn’t to spread out, comes more from what is seen as opposed to what is heard, but in this movie physical comedy works. Not physical in that “hit in the head with a wrench” way, but physical none-the-less.

No, I won’t start like that. I know, I’ll start with the story and the lesson it tries to teach.

But should I discussing a story as clichéd as this? A story of the “poor virgin” going on an adventure to get his. Thankfully the specifics aren’t predictable, but you realize that you saw the ending in American Pie 2. And the moral of the movie itself can’t really be argued, but its introduction at the movie’s conclusion didn’t make much sense.

Nah, not that way.

Now I’m stuck. I really did enjoy this movie and would recommend it to people who just want to laugh in their comedies and don’t need story; I just don’t know how to start this review.

After Two Years, Still Fighting For A Contract

2008-10-14T16:41:00.002-04:00

By W. Earle Simpson

STAFF WRITER

For the third consecutive year, Faculty at Broward College will continue to work without a Ratified Contract if the administration and the Union- United Faculty of Florida (UFF) find no solution to what has been declared an ‘impasse’.

“Over the last several years there have been a series of problems at the negotiations between the union and the board of trustees. The board of trustees has been very slow in granting an agreement to the faculty contract. Two years ago the board put off voting on our contract for four months. There was an agreement in July 2006, but the board waited and waited until November and since then, we have not gotten a ratified contract. In fact, in September the board declared an impasse,” noted Robert Koppelman, UFF State Senator and BC faculty member.

That impasse led to a Public Employees Relations Commission-PERC arbitration, for which a ruling will be had on Oct. 25, 2008. According to Dr. Daniel Rieger, Vice President of UFF and Chief Negotiator of UFF/BC, “There are legal issues that have been encountered in terms of getting a contract and those legal issues have been addressed in a recent hearing before PERC at the end of Aug. 2008.” PERC is the organization that holds hearings throughout the state of Florida on labor and employment disputes. After hearings, PERC issues a final order, which may be appealed directly to the District Courts of Appeal.

But the Union is not expecting that an appeal will have to be made. “I have no basis for thinking that the ruling will be against the Faculty, but if it is in favor of the Union, the Administration may appeal…in which case, I would be unable to say when Faculty will have a ratified contract,” cautioned Dr. Rieger.

Ratification of contracts has been an annual event since Faculty first joined the UFF on May 22, 1981. The UFF prides itself in effectively negotiating collective bargaining contracts, thereby “strengthening administrative accountability and faculty authority,” and promises Florida higher education professionals to bargain on their behalf for “improve salaries, hours, terms and conditions.” Since 1981, UFF would, between February and March of each year, smoothly negotiate contracts on behalf of its BC members.

But according to the Nov. 2006 issue of the UFF Community College Update, “today a board of trustees appointed by Governor Jeb Bush is challenging faculty standards and principles in ways faculty have never seen before…but Broward faculty is rising to the challenge.”
Back then, according to a report in the October issue of this paper, faculty members rose to the challenge by “dress[ing] in black and graduation attire and picketed on what they viewed as a violation of an agreement made between UFF and BCC administration on Oct. 12 on Central Campus.” Those demonstrations did not render a solution to the problems they sought to highlight. Rather, they were reported to have resulted in the resignation of the then president.

Today, whereas faculty is still upset, both they as well as the head of administration are exhibiting caution in ways contradictory to the openness and bravery associated with their actions in 2006. “Some faculty may be reluctant to talk about it because we just want position to be stated. We want to make our position very clear; what we think the legal and ethical issues are and we want to keep those front and center,” opined Koppelman. When prompted to comment, President Armstrong, apparently mindful of legal implications, related that he’d rather speak on the issue after the PERC, while several calls made to Human Resources and Equity Vice President, Dr. Edna Chun were not returned.

At the heart of the matter, according to the UFF, are issues arising from articles five, six and seven of the 2006-2007 Collective Bargaining Agreement between UFF/BC and The Board of Trustees of BC. Article five deals with faculty compensation; article six with benefits, including health insurance, while article seven with faculty work conditions. “Over the years since 1981, some of these issues have been debated and re-debated,” said Damon Davis, UFF/BC president. “The issue of salaries and benefits which houses health care, which houses dental care and all the benefits that are entitled to faculty. But the sore points here would be salary increases; how much there are and how they are calculated.”

Each year the board and UFF struggles to agree on these three areas but board member Levi Williams sees the problem a different way. “I think that at the heart of the matter is really the difficulty of the union to make a decision in the best interest of those that it serves,” he insisted.

Davis countered and in clear reference to his 400 members, representing 70% of faculty, said, “our take on this is that we are a part of a family and we have to interact as a family. We are in the house, not outside of it. We serve a major role and I think a justifiable one.” Furthermore, like Koppelman, Davis believes that the board violated state law when they gave a salary increase without having a written agreement.

Yet, sometimes the line between where one year’s negotiation completes and the next begins is blurred by lack of agreement and when asked why not opt for longer term contracts, Dr. Rieger commented, “Our lives are not static. Our lives are subject to change and because of that it is important to negotiate compensation and benefits year to year. The advantage of having a yearly ratification is that issues that arise can be addressed immediately.”

Not-with-standing Rieger’s comment, Williams thinks that “the contract before everybody that the union is using has been patch worked, piece-mealed and bastardized for the last 20 to 40 years,” he said. “There are terms and conditions in the contract that make it difficult for both parties to move forward in an effective and productive manner. I have communicated with representatives of the union multiply times about the fact that the contract needs to be overhauled. If that was done, one of the potential benefits would be the possibility of multi-year agreements. Under the current contract, such agreements would be impossible due to its many ambiguous and failing language.”

So how will this crisis be resolved? “We believe that PERC will rule in our favor and if they do, it will set a precedent that the board has to follow the law. And once the board is humbled somewhat, realizing that they can’t just do anything they want, ultimately, the administration will have to show more integrity and honesty in their negotiations with us,” Koppelman suggested. “But if the ruling goes against us, I think we will continue to have difficulties until this board or some of its members get replaced.”

But until then, everyone awaits the PERC rulings.

Welcome Week Photos

2008-09-12T16:35:00.007-04:00

PHOTOS BY PHILIPPE BUTEAU

Politics made plain, a gift from John McCain

2008-09-12T16:30:00.000-04:00

BY HANNAH GILES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For all those self-reliant, independent persons who don’t look to government to fulfill their identity, but prefer to carve their own path in life, voting for Sen. John McCain this fall is crucial. He is a man who has been there and done that in regards to his service to this country, and America would be blessed to have him as its next president.
John McCain doesn’t have a background typical to most politicians. He wasn’t a political science major and his record can’t be described as “squeaky-clean.” He can be described as a: former Naval Aviator, Vietnam POW for five years, Captain in the Navy, Congressman, Senator and a man who dedicated his entire life to the service of his country. Rudy Guiliani, former Mayor of New York City, said John McCain is “serving a cause greater than self-interest and that cause is America.”
America needs a solid president who is capable of running this nation. The U.S. is in a war, and unless more terrorist attacks on the level of 9/11 are desired, it is probably best that this nation is lead by a man with adequate experience. McCain is Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, and the current successes in Iraq are a result of his vote for the troop surge. Not only did McCain vote for the insurgences but he was also the one who suggested this idea to President Bush when they were discussing the problems overseas. Thanks to John McCain’s well-reasoned initiative, we are seeing victory in Iraq, and the day draws closer when American troops will come home.
John McCain has an independent spirit that resonates with the American people. He stood up to the Vietnamese when they held him as a POW, he has stood up to his very own Republican party on several occasions and, as President of the United States, Americans may rest assured that John McCain will stand up for their safety and prosperity.
As noted, in McCain’s four terms serving in the U.S. Senate he has passed many notable pieces of legislation, which more often than not, found him reaching across party lines and working with Democrats. He partnered with Russell Feingold (D-WI) in creating the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, and also worked with Joe Lieberman (I-CT) in writing the legislations which created the 9/11 Commission. John McCain understands the importance of politicians working together to ensure the satisfaction of the American people.
“I’m not running for President to be somebody, but to do something; to do the hard but necessary things not the easy and needless things.” These words are a promise from John McCain, and based on his record, Americans can confidently expect him to fulfill every word. The man is quite figuratively driving the “Straight Talk Express,” and it is in the peoples best interest to jump aboard the McCain train as it leads America closer to national and international success.

I Know What Maverick Does Not Mean

2008-09-12T16:06:00.000-04:00

BY BRENDAN CONNOLLY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I'm not sure of the exact definition of maverick. Is it someone who doesn't kneel, or grovel, to peer pressure? Someone who enacts on what they say they will. Maybe, it's someone, whose sheer dedication to the principles and rights of freedom and happiness, imbued to us by men of action, that they stand out in history.

Even if they don't want to.

I've, and I imagine you have as well, heard John McCain call himself a maverick. The Original Maverick. Apparently, now, there are spin-offs, his running mate, Sarah Penal (R-AK), is the Alaskan Maverick. A soccer, I mean, hockey mom with an inherent driving force within her to shake things up. Maybe that's a maverick, someone who goes for the gusto, so to say, against the big guys.

The Establishment. That's what jugular John McCain, Maverick, will be sinking his canines into. Pork barrel spending and governmental programs will bleed out, and as he says, back into our pockets.

The Establishment. Fat Cats. Monocled blue-bloods. That's who John McCain, Maverick, is gunning for.

I find it slightly ironic, though, considering John McCain, Maverick, belongs to a rubber-stamping Republican party, who from 2000-2006 held the House of Representatives, the Senate, and that big easy chair John McCain, Maverick, has his hopes set on. Before 2000, Congress was controlled by the Republican Party that he, John McCain, Maverick, was and still is a part of for at least a decade prior.

That's like, sixteen years. For most of you, I imagine, that's a good portion of your life. To me, that sounds like the Establishment.

To be fair, Lincoln was the first Republican president, and to some, the best ever. Did you know that their second president, Andrew Johnson was impeached? By them? The Republicans. Because he had his own ideas that conflicted with theirs.

Some could call that a maverick. Perhaps a maverick is someone whose ideas could have them removed from their position. Maybe John McCain, Maverick, has been putting together some sort of revolutionary, but of course conservative, agenda.

John McCain, Maverick, wants to make the Bush Tax cuts permanent. Tax cuts that prompted 450 economists, including 10 Nobel Prize Laurents, to write a letter to President Bush not to sign them into law. The Congressional Budget Office, a federal agency, said it increased deficits by 60 billion dollars in 2003. They estimate, this year, that number has risen to 340 billion dollars.

John McCain, Maverick, wants to make the Alternative Minimum tax permanent. In 2006 the IRS's National Taxpayer Advocate said it was the single most serious problem with the tax code. The Congressional Budget Office, huh them again, said by 2010 one in five people will qualify, or have to pay, for this. This grows amongst married people and, in essence, punishes people for having children and living in higher taxing states( it removes the deductibility of state and local taxes).

John McCain, Maverick, would like to Reduce Corporate tax. You know he, John McCain, Maverick, plans on cutting taxes for large corporation. The same corporations who employ us, pay us, and then get their money back when we need, or want, to purchase just about anything.

John McCain, Maverick, would like to limit the availability of abortion rights. And only grant them in such cases as rape, incest, or if there is a risk for the mother.

John McCain, Maverick, wants to start drilling in the ANWR Province, the Outer Continental Shelf, and begin extraction, and development of oil shale, which currently resides, in most part, around Wyoming and Montana. I could only assume when John McCain, Maverick, included Theodore Roosevelt, the first president to set aside land for it's beauty and not it's profitable resources, in his "Our Party produced..." portion of his acceptance speech at the RNC, he could only assume that Teddy had set aside the land for him, John McCain, Maverick, to dig up.

to be honest, i find politics quite repugnant. But i also understand the desperate hope of someone who is looking for salvation. Looking for a shining example of stoic determination. Looking for a maverick.

But John McCain is a self-described maverick. He is marketed as such. As someone who constantly follows their own way. But a majority of his votes conflate with conservative and Christian fundamentalist views on values. In a democracy the majority rules.

John McCain, self-described Maverick, accepted the endorsement of the worst American President, so far. There are pictures of him and Bush hugging, a maverick embracing an aloof tyrant. And it's no secret John McCain, marketed Maverick, does not like President Bush. But we all understand the practice of greasing wheels. The same old song and dance, so we can get where we want to be.

Mavericks do not and should not.

Especially when Mr. Maverick spent 7 years in a prison camp, while their new buddy's father got them, that would Bush, in the champagne squad of the armed forces. And while Mr. Maverick was being tortured and interrogated, the man whose mantle he will inherit, Bush again, went AWOL.

A maverick would not shake this man's hand.

When you sacrifice your beliefs and principles for a gain or a desire, that's called selling out. That's kneeling and groveling, asking for more from a mud-coated boot heel.

I may or may not know the exact definition of maverick, but I know what the definition isn't.

$19 Million to Reduce Parking Shortage

2008-09-12T13:31:00.000-04:00

BY EARLE SIMPSON
STAFF WRITER

In about 18 months time, the students, faculty and staff of the BC Central Campus will get a parking garage after years of suffering the inconveniences of parking space shortage and flooding.

“The garage will have approximately 1000 parking spaces, and the students will not pay anymore than they are currently paying,” announced Francisco Hoyos, BC Business Affairs Dean. The new garage is, in part, the solution to the age old problem of flooding in the campus’s parking areas. “It has been like that for over 30 years,” responded John Stancil, Central Campus former Dean of Business, in answer to how long has the problem been around.

But flooding is not the only problem faced by users of the parking lots. According to William Pennell, BC VP Facilities, in a letter to the President of the college, “the campus regularly has a shortage of parking spaces available during peak classroom hours.” In fact in an attempt to combat this shortage, during peak hours students regularly park on grass adjourning parking lots.

There are approximately 18,000 students on the Central Campus of BC but according to John Thornton, Central Campus Business Affairs Dean, “there are currently a total of 4380 parking spaces on Central Campus, 540 of which are overflow spaces organized in five lots.” The five overflow lots are a recent response to the shortfall but Thornton is mindful that the solution to the parking space shortage is far from being met. “Between now and October 6, we are hoping to create at least an additional overflow lot,” he added.

But the overflow lots are not expected to be a long term solution. “Approximately three weeks ago, the board approved the design/build contract and we will break ground for the project by the 3^rd of October this year,” said Juan Raigosa, Construction Project Administrator. Following the ground breaking, the project will commence and run until March 2010 when it will be completed. “It’s about an 18-month completion process,” confirmed Hoyos.

The garage will be built at a cost of $19.2 million which will be funded by a board approve state bond issue. According to Pennell’s letter, the bond will be repaid with the use of the “transportation and access fees as well as Capital Investment Fees (CIF).” Hoyos said that the board has approved the bond and now it’s just a matter of “breaking grounds if everything goes well and we get our drainage permits.”

The garage will be located on the right of the College Avenue and south of the 30^th Avenue entrance. Although the garage with its 1000 parking spaces will not solve the shortage nor the flooding problems, especially in the parking areas located on the east side of the campus, according to Pennell’s letter, it will “sit on land that is currently parking 136 cars, so the college will pick up a net additional 839 parking spaces with the construction of this new garage,” and that is expected to blunt the two problems but most of all, students will have the convenience of parking in the new facilities at the expense of the flood prone areas.

Cost of tuiton goes up again

2008-08-25T13:07:00.000-04:00

Jessica Rosenberg

Copy Editor

Over the last year the entire country has felt the heat of a recession. With rising fuel prices and the increase in the costs of everyday necessities, it is no surprise that students would not be exempt from a struggling economy.

BC Board of Trustees members had a tough choice to make, but eventually decided to increase the tuition, again.

Last January, just one semester ago, the tuition was raised by 5 percent. Now students are faced with an additional 6 percent increase; making the total amount $77.84 per credit hour for the fall 2008 semester.

According to Bill Pennell, CFO of Broward College, raising the tuition was in the student’s “best interest.”

“Due to $6.4 million in cutbacks, the Board made the best decision they could under tough circumstances,” said Pennell.

It was also important to Pennell that the positives of the increase are understood as well.

“We’re also pushing for 10 additional full-time faculty members as opposed to adjunct professors and also an increase in student advisors as well,” explained Pennell.

The decision to increase the tuition did not come easy for Board members.

“I thought it was terrible…with the rising costs and the decline in the economy, tuition should be the last worry for students,” said Board member Levi Williams.

Although Williams was conflicted by his decision, he wanted to ensure students that the result would not be in vain.

When asked to rationalize and explain the benefits of the increase to ease the student’s dissatisfaction, Williams did not hesitate.

“I understand the students concern and I would say the biggest benefit is no doubt the continuation of higher education that BC provides and the quality it maintains.”

Students had their chance to sound off on how they felt about the tuition increase. Surprisingly many students didn’t even realize there was an increase.

However, the ones who were aware were not pleased.

“It’s ridiculous! I pay so much anyway for books and gas to get here. I mean, what’s next? Why does this keep happening?” said Tanique Douglas, 23, business major.

Broward College is not the only college to feel the impact of rising tuition costs.

According to Pennell, “All 28 community colleges as well as several universities have been met with the 6 percent increase this semester.”

Although that doesn’t bring tremendous relief to students, BC Board members and faculty promise the highest level of excellence will be maintained.

Broward College drops the "Community"

2008-08-21T14:40:00.001-04:00

Bruno Niccoli

Editor-in-Chief

In the fall of 1960, the Junior College of Broward County welcomed its first 701 students and 28 faculty members.

Eight years later under the leadership of Dr. A. Hugh Adams, the students were welcomed to Broward Junior College.

September 1970 marked the time when “Junior” was changed to “Community,” which is used to describe publicly funded two-year institutions.

Now, 49 years after its establishment, over 55,000 students will hear:

Welcome to Broward College

The name change was a result from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools changing the college to a Level 2 accredited institution.

The Level 2 accreditation allows the college to offer four year bachelors programs. The accreditation was received on the exact same day as the college changed its name, July 1. Broward College President J. David Armstrong stated, “We became Broward College officially today and we got our Level II approval, which makes us a four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institution. We are on our way.”

The trend of removing the word “community” from a college that offers bachelor degrees has been around for more than a decade. The most notorious case in South Florida happened when Miami-Dade Community College, changed its name to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the college.

When the first discussions came about changing the college’s name, members of the faculty were allowed to send e-mails with suggestions for what the new name could be, but eventually the decision was made to just keep it simple and remove a word.

By removing the word community, the college was able to maintain the same concept behind its new logo, which had just one “C” line removed. In addition, some of the signs only required the removal of “Community” by using blue paint to match with the background. Jillian Printz, Special Assistant to the President, explained, “We wanted to capitalize on the recognition that the BCC logo has through out the county, and actually through out South Florida.”

The welcome sign at the entrance of the South Campus is a perfect example of the money being saved by not drastically changing the college’s name.

When seen from a distance a person only reads Broward College, but upon close inspection the space and the shape where “Community” once stood is still very noticeable.

It may seem sloppy to be welcomed by a signed that was simply painted over, but on times of severe budget cuts, these are the kind of temporary solutions that help the college to save a great deal of money.

The college will also save money by gradually changing its name and logo from the office supplies, business cards and other products that will eventually have the new look.

According to Jillian Printz, the internal cost for the name and logo change is about $7, 500

Old logos and signs that have been around the campuses and are now considered historic will not be replaced.

Printz explained that the change couldn’t have come at a better time, because the idea of changing some of the signs on not only the entrance of the campuses but also in the buildings, has been considered for quite some time.

If the name had been changed a couple years from now, the college would have spent the money twice, because there were plans to replace the old BCC logos to newer logos still containing the word “Community.”

The college slogan has also been changed from “we keep you thinking” to “Define yourself”

The four year programs will become available for the students in the next year. Education has been chosen to be the first bachelor degree offered by Broward College, and the students can register for the new major in winter 09.

Nursing and Information Technology will eventually be available for students.

Regarding the future of the school as a college President J. David Armstrong stated “This in no way changes our mission as a community college; what it does do is meet a critical workforce need in Broward for more teaching faculty in K-12 classrooms, while providing a four-year degree that is a hallmark of the excellence and affordability of our institution. We will continue to embrace and support our two-year degree programs, while we expand our curriculum to meet the needs of our community.”

Back to school issue

2008-08-14T22:02:00.000-04:00

The Observer's back to school issue will be available in all Broward College campuses August 18, the first day of classes.