AN EASILY SURVIVABLE SURVIVAL-HORROR

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.