After very public criticism by parents, alumni, two Colorado Congressmen and, this web site, (see, "Fort Lewis College Offers Pornography Course")-Fort Lewis College has decided not to offer "The Poetics of Porn" as one of its senior seminars this coming Spring.

English professor Michele Malach introduced "The Poetics of Porn," which was to focus on viewing pornographic films and magazines, she warns, "this class is not for the faint of heart."

A week ago Vice President of Academic Affairs Stephen A. Roderick defended the course, saying, "We are in the process of getting more information and reviewing the class because we want to be sure that it is appropriate. So far, I haven't found anything that indicates that it isn't, but our review is not complete yet so I cannot say anything than that."

After Fort Lewis received more negative publicity, Roderick issued a statement on November 30th announcing that in order to insure "academic integrity" the class would be suspended pending a review.

Malach had been told her course would be exempt from review outside of the English department. College spokesman David P. Eppich defended the decision to call a special session of the Curriculum Committee to review the proposed course. Eppich said the college wanted to ascertain the quality and content of all courses.

"What we keep marginalized tells us a lot about society," avowed Professor Malach. She plans to fight for the course on the basis that only the English department can review her course. Not confident of winning, Malach is preparing an alternate course.

Fort Lewis drew major fire for the pornography course, most notably from Colorado Congressmen Scott McInnis and Bob Schaffer. McInnis' press secretary Bill Rethmeier sated, "The Congressman feels that any kind of pornography class has no academic valor."