IT’S LIKE THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN 1972, I’M AFRAID:

College admissions decisions now arriving across the country by e-mail and snail mail are generating the annual excitement they always do. But that momentary thrill is only masking a new reality about college in America.

With faculty and administrations leading the way, political correctness and posturing — from both the left and right — is reaching dizzying heights in the land of the ivory tower. And rising right along with it is the frustration of middle-class parents, who are growing increasingly resentful of paying sky-high tuition for colleges they see offering their kids a menu of questionable courses and politically absurd campus climates that detract from the quality of a university education.

Speaking as someone working in the factory, I’m a bit worried at the increasing dissatisfaction out there. Then again, as the biggest problems seem to be at expensive private schools, perhaps those of us at public institutions will benefit.

UPDATE: A suggestion for U.S. News:

Start measuring and ranking colleges on the intellectual and political diversity of their faculties and student bodies. . . .

I’m a big fan of diversity. As my kids approach college age, I’ll be looking at the intellectual and political diversity of the schools they apply to.

To the millions of college-shopping parents and students out there: next time you’re on a campus tour, why not ask specifically about intellectual diversity? I plan to.

I suspect that’s a trend.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Various readers point out that the University of Colorado, home of Ward Churchill, is a public university. Touché