PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) -- About 150 students, alumni and faculty members of Louisiana College gathered for a candlelight vigil Dec. 10 at the front entrance of the Pineville college to protest the school's new textbook policy.

They said they were there to send a message to the college's trustees and administration that the new policy – which requires the vice president of academic affairs to approve all teaching materials, reading selections and textbooks -- should be rescinded.

The board took action after President Rory Lee removed "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest J. Gaines and "The Road Less Traveled" by Scott Peck from the school's bookstore.

Former trustee Clyde Hoyt said he doesn't agree with the policy. "They've gone overboard," he told the Town Talk of Alexandria. The crowd at the vigil urged the board to hold a special meeting to change that policy and return to the practice of letting faculty decide what materials are used in classes.

History professor Thomas Howell taught classes Dec. 8 dressed all in black to protest academic "censorship." Other professors wore black armbands Dec. 5, the same day a majority of faculty approved a statement opposing the policy. Students wrote chalk protests on campus sidewalks with messages like "Ignorance is Bliss," and "Education, not Indoctrination," according to the newspaper. Notes of thanks and support where scripted in the parking spots of faculty members who are fighting the new policy.

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