The Forgotten Man is on the final round of college visits with my 18 year old son.  I wrote here about a visit to a private catholic university and the disavowal of religious expectations by the tour guide.  This weekend we are on the campus of another midwestern school, though not a religiously affiliated one and got another reminder of how much the culture of college campuses has changed over the years.

After the typical morning tours and interviews at this university, we went to the student union to buy some college gear and have lunch.  I thought it would be a good idea to have my son get a feel for the common student area and a taste of the dorm food.  As we walked up to the building, I noticed a Starbucks which wasn't around back in my college days.  Seemed like a nice addition to a campus, though not sure how a college kid can afford a venti-no-whip-cappucino.  But at least it's there for the kids and seemed like an improvement over my old campus.  As we walked by the barrista, we nearly collided with a table laden with red, pink and white frosted cookies for sale.  Now that seemed more like the old school that I was used to and I assumed it was a Valentines Day bake sale, probably some sorority raising money for a good cause.  But as I walked around the corner of the table, the sign on the front of the table screamed, "Buy Vagina Cookies Here".  It was a fundraiser for the Vagina Monologues appearing on campus later in February!  Not only did the cookies look disgusting, but the two girls sitting at the table collecting money glared at me as I glanced at the disgusting cookies and walked by without buying.  Not sure if my son noticed it, he either ignored it, was oblivious or just squirmed and hoped I didn't bring it up. 

If you haven't been to campus lately, you're in for more surprises.  We send our kids off at our own peril.