I am so impressed by the articles I see coming out of the SB Current...I am a 75 year old Conservative who experienced college in the 'Love A Duck' era and finally saw the light after 9/11, with the help of conservative talk radio & especially Rush.
I'm going to make the Current a regular read in the morning. ..Keep up the good work.
Hi Emma, this is the first time I've read you on SB Current and enjoyed it. I hope you'll be doing more. May I give my own experience of bring an undergrad at SBCC and UCSB in the early 1970s? It was hedonism on steroids. I had terrific professors at City College — I'm still friends with Desmond O'Neill who taught history and was completely responsible. However, some of the other profs helped themselves to us young and not so innocent things. My Shakespeare prof, may he rest in peace, gave the always stoned coed next to me an A+++++++++ for writing about how she wanted to **** various characters in Shakespeare. He gave her paper back to her saying “You are one groovy far-out chick — see you in my office later, babe” It was similar at UCSB. The renowned Jane Austin lit critic (and Hugh Kenner's rival at UCSB) I took a class from had his extra marital 20 year old mistress in the front row. No problem, the wife had invited her to stay at their house. The difference was, we didn't MeToo our professors, or the male undergrads we made out and did drugs with. We wrote short stories and poems about it.And since you're a Youth Culture critic, have you seen the 1966 film by George Axelrod “Lord Love a Duck?” It is a documentary of my SoCal teen years. Although I was told at that time I looked like Sally Kellerman rather than the star of it, the genius actress, Tuesday Weld. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-6L6bcZn4s
And to get the LA sixties youth culture, you should read Eve Babitz' stories and my friend, the Vanity Fair contributing editor, Lili Anolik's fabulous recent book on her “Didion & Babitz.” Eve was ten years older than me, so she was there at the height of the 60s in LA, discovering and having affairs with youth pop stars like Jim Morrison.
Another great topic: I am really enjoying SB Current..
Here we go again expecting someone else to raise our kids. When you child reaches college age he or she should already have the self discipline knowledge and understanding of why they are there. They should have skin in the game, and all the money from the parents and the kids worked for should be very transparent. Each time you put a little away for their education they should know about it, how it is invested and watch it grow. I wanted my boys to have a great college experience, work and study hard and also play, meet new friends, and see that there is a big world out their with lots of different ideas cultures and thinking. The educational and social exposure is so important.
BTW I agree with Nancy's comment, 2 years of work experience or volunteering for govt agency is a great idea
I did 2 years at junior college, with parental support and supervision, and learned a lot. At UCSB in the late '60's, I was not prepared to be in my own apartment alone. Work study was the closest I came to supervision. I think working at least a year full time would have contributed towards direction in my choices.
An interesting article, Emma, and one has to wonder why colleges and universities are even relevant anymore. Except for trade schools and medical training, I can see future extended learning done on the computer. I believe that the most important years are the grade school years and as witnessed with a good number of high school graduates, the schools have let the children down big time in the basics. Our students from grade school through high school average about 13 years under the school system which is more than enough time to get the basics down, learn how to work in groups, and gain a certain amount of maturity and responsibility. Thank you for the good article and hope to see more from you on The Current.
While an undergraduate at Westmont College, my daughter once received a student demerit for having an empty whiskey bottle found in a waste basket in her dorm room.
Westmont, deserves much credit for being a world class college, focusing on Christian teachings and a great alternative to public education.
I was called into the office of the head of Physical Education (one of my majors) in 1967 and told the beard I was sporting was not in the best interests of the major or school. It was done kindly and solved the problem.
Having a strong family background I did not "party" as many of my student friends did. Yet at the same time was not degraded by them. Yes on weekends would drop by the occasional party to be social.
After graduation and the Army came back to school at UCSB. Things were changing and fast. It took me almost 2 years to get back to being a student. I would go to the Library "stacks" and force myself to study. A good friend saw me leaving the library and he said you are always here!!! He did not understand the discipline it took to be a student again, in the 1970's.
What I see for the most part, undergrad students at most UC or CSU are not there to learn. They too often graduate by accident. Just to make the point, 3 years of grad school, I worked 3 part time jobs. The Hippy Dippy long term outcomes of today are a farce.
If for no other reason "any" on school activities or dorms should have a strong set of values if for no other reason to "protect" both integrity of the education process and legal suits because the schools allowed what today is considered college life.
So there you go another hammer on lack of discipline and why too often this country is getting its rear kicked.
"We’ve sold young adults the fantasy that the facilitator model prepares them for life, when in reality, we’ve stripped them of their core support systems."
I would disagree, most of these spoiled rotten people have walked away and rejected these traditions.
The colleges get to deal with all the failings of local public school districts the grand Jury report on social emotional health k-8 during covid19 dated November 12, 2021 every school in every district failed it even has the monetary breakdown of where the 173 million of federal money was spent Santa Maria Bonita School District received the most, 2nd was Lompoc Unified School District both these districts received approx 2/3rds of that 173 miĺlion! Where did that money go? Follow the money to solve the problems! I attended Hancock college for 3 years college courses are manipulated to accommadate the financial scam with fafsa and UsAid! The 2 UC Davis professors/Whistleblowers blew this ponzi scheme wide open when they exposed skull & bones tied to the jesuits satanic cults in every UC & CSU college in the state down to community college college level too with all the dei and lgtbq movements including the California State Capital in Sacramento is proudly flying that rainbow flag with all the pedofiles working in state government a usurped state government left without republican form of Government in a federal Nation that is a Republic! The only way out of this! NewCaliforniaState.com. our Constitutional convention is being held in redding next month.
I am so impressed by the articles I see coming out of the SB Current...I am a 75 year old Conservative who experienced college in the 'Love A Duck' era and finally saw the light after 9/11, with the help of conservative talk radio & especially Rush.
I'm going to make the Current a regular read in the morning. ..Keep up the good work.
Well, at least you didn't scold me like the resident Carlist on SB Current, Theo.
HAH HAH !! Bingo.
Hardly scolded.
Theo, we can't keep meeting like this!
Hi Emma, this is the first time I've read you on SB Current and enjoyed it. I hope you'll be doing more. May I give my own experience of bring an undergrad at SBCC and UCSB in the early 1970s? It was hedonism on steroids. I had terrific professors at City College — I'm still friends with Desmond O'Neill who taught history and was completely responsible. However, some of the other profs helped themselves to us young and not so innocent things. My Shakespeare prof, may he rest in peace, gave the always stoned coed next to me an A+++++++++ for writing about how she wanted to **** various characters in Shakespeare. He gave her paper back to her saying “You are one groovy far-out chick — see you in my office later, babe” It was similar at UCSB. The renowned Jane Austin lit critic (and Hugh Kenner's rival at UCSB) I took a class from had his extra marital 20 year old mistress in the front row. No problem, the wife had invited her to stay at their house. The difference was, we didn't MeToo our professors, or the male undergrads we made out and did drugs with. We wrote short stories and poems about it.And since you're a Youth Culture critic, have you seen the 1966 film by George Axelrod “Lord Love a Duck?” It is a documentary of my SoCal teen years. Although I was told at that time I looked like Sally Kellerman rather than the star of it, the genius actress, Tuesday Weld. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-6L6bcZn4s
And to get the LA sixties youth culture, you should read Eve Babitz' stories and my friend, the Vanity Fair contributing editor, Lili Anolik's fabulous recent book on her “Didion & Babitz.” Eve was ten years older than me, so she was there at the height of the 60s in LA, discovering and having affairs with youth pop stars like Jim Morrison.
"The difference was, we didn't MeToo our professors, or the male undergrads we made out and did drugs with"
I have no idea why you care about MeToo - quite frankly if perverse men are hurt, so be it.
A man who isn't engaging in sexual deviancy is immune to this.
Merry Christmas, Theo!
Another great topic: I am really enjoying SB Current..
Here we go again expecting someone else to raise our kids. When you child reaches college age he or she should already have the self discipline knowledge and understanding of why they are there. They should have skin in the game, and all the money from the parents and the kids worked for should be very transparent. Each time you put a little away for their education they should know about it, how it is invested and watch it grow. I wanted my boys to have a great college experience, work and study hard and also play, meet new friends, and see that there is a big world out their with lots of different ideas cultures and thinking. The educational and social exposure is so important.
BTW I agree with Nancy's comment, 2 years of work experience or volunteering for govt agency is a great idea
Solution: admission to any college should require 2 years paid work experience after HS. That’ll sober them up!
Hello Nancy Wolfen, how about 4 years mandatory military service? Looks like Germany is going that way with the BIG BAD RUSSIAN BEAR at their DOOR.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-new-military-service-law-polarizes-society/a-75033848
"Germany: New military service law polarizes society" by Nina Werkhäuser 12/05/2025December 5, 2025
Think GOMER PYLE > One of my Favorites >
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRLGGqGiWCU
I did 2 years at junior college, with parental support and supervision, and learned a lot. At UCSB in the late '60's, I was not prepared to be in my own apartment alone. Work study was the closest I came to supervision. I think working at least a year full time would have contributed towards direction in my choices.
An interesting article, Emma, and one has to wonder why colleges and universities are even relevant anymore. Except for trade schools and medical training, I can see future extended learning done on the computer. I believe that the most important years are the grade school years and as witnessed with a good number of high school graduates, the schools have let the children down big time in the basics. Our students from grade school through high school average about 13 years under the school system which is more than enough time to get the basics down, learn how to work in groups, and gain a certain amount of maturity and responsibility. Thank you for the good article and hope to see more from you on The Current.
While an undergraduate at Westmont College, my daughter once received a student demerit for having an empty whiskey bottle found in a waste basket in her dorm room.
Westmont, deserves much credit for being a world class college, focusing on Christian teachings and a great alternative to public education.
Go Warriors!
Well here we go again.
I was called into the office of the head of Physical Education (one of my majors) in 1967 and told the beard I was sporting was not in the best interests of the major or school. It was done kindly and solved the problem.
Having a strong family background I did not "party" as many of my student friends did. Yet at the same time was not degraded by them. Yes on weekends would drop by the occasional party to be social.
After graduation and the Army came back to school at UCSB. Things were changing and fast. It took me almost 2 years to get back to being a student. I would go to the Library "stacks" and force myself to study. A good friend saw me leaving the library and he said you are always here!!! He did not understand the discipline it took to be a student again, in the 1970's.
What I see for the most part, undergrad students at most UC or CSU are not there to learn. They too often graduate by accident. Just to make the point, 3 years of grad school, I worked 3 part time jobs. The Hippy Dippy long term outcomes of today are a farce.
If for no other reason "any" on school activities or dorms should have a strong set of values if for no other reason to "protect" both integrity of the education process and legal suits because the schools allowed what today is considered college life.
So there you go another hammer on lack of discipline and why too often this country is getting its rear kicked.
Good article.
"We’ve sold young adults the fantasy that the facilitator model prepares them for life, when in reality, we’ve stripped them of their core support systems."
I would disagree, most of these spoiled rotten people have walked away and rejected these traditions.
The colleges get to deal with all the failings of local public school districts the grand Jury report on social emotional health k-8 during covid19 dated November 12, 2021 every school in every district failed it even has the monetary breakdown of where the 173 million of federal money was spent Santa Maria Bonita School District received the most, 2nd was Lompoc Unified School District both these districts received approx 2/3rds of that 173 miĺlion! Where did that money go? Follow the money to solve the problems! I attended Hancock college for 3 years college courses are manipulated to accommadate the financial scam with fafsa and UsAid! The 2 UC Davis professors/Whistleblowers blew this ponzi scheme wide open when they exposed skull & bones tied to the jesuits satanic cults in every UC & CSU college in the state down to community college college level too with all the dei and lgtbq movements including the California State Capital in Sacramento is proudly flying that rainbow flag with all the pedofiles working in state government a usurped state government left without republican form of Government in a federal Nation that is a Republic! The only way out of this! NewCaliforniaState.com. our Constitutional convention is being held in redding next month.