DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A sign at a gas station notifying students at the predominantly black Bethune Cookman University of a new rule limiting their access to the business is being called racist and has prompted a boycott.

The sign, which reads "B.C.C. --1 Student At A Time," is posted on the door of a Citgo gas station located at 600 West International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach.

"I believe it is racist," a student said. "If it wasn't racist, why is it saying only one BCU student? Why isn't it saying Embry Riddle students? Or Stetson's students? Why is it just Cookman students."

Managers said students from the school are stealing and the rule is meant to curb crime. They said they have lost hundreds of dollars a month in retail theft.

He blames Bethune Cookman University students for the crimes.

"It is not about race, no," store manager Michael Amid said. "If they come one at a time, we can have a sale."

"I think that he misjudged the whole situation," BCU alumni Alphonso Bush said. "If there was an incident at all, I don't think he should have included all of the kids. And then when he did include all of the kids, he should include all campuses."

Students and alumni said the key to curbing crime is tighter security and hiring more gas station employees and not singling out students.

"Everybody from Cookman University does not steal," a woman said.

Students said they have notified the local NAACP about the sign and they are planning a protest of the store.

Police said the sign is not illegal but it does raise some civil rights issues, Local 6's Tarik Minor said.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.