Students lined LeMans hallway Friday afternoon to protest censorship of the Vagina Monologues on Saint Mary's campus.

The sit-in was held outside the office of College President Marilou Eldred in response to an administrative decision to not allow The Vagina Monologues to be performed on campus.

"I was looking for recognition of the fact that censorship of a theatrical performance on a college campus is contrary to academic freedom," said Jen Wagner, the organizer of the sit-in. "I read about Dr. Eldred's final decision in the paper and that was the last straw."

According to organizers, between 25 and 40 people attended the sit-in in support of the cause. In addition, the organizers were looking for signatures on a petition in opposition to censorship on Saint Mary's campus. Nearly 300 signatures were collected on the petition, Wagner said.

The sit-in began as parents arrived on campus for sophomore parents' weekend at the college. Wagner explained that they timed it that way so more than students would hear what the organizers had to say.

Although Eldred explained her reasoning to the entire student body and made a final decision regarding the Monologues, some hope there is still the possibility that she will change her mind.

"I still think there's a chance that president Eldred will be persuaded to change her mind," said Notre Dame graduate student Aaron Kreider, a member of the protest. "The sit-in combined with students talking to her and writing letters in the future are going to add up."

According to Wagner, the petition was given to Eldred after the sit-in ended on Friday afternoon.

"I hope that we no longer see censorship of dramatic productions on this campus," Wagner said.

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