Its a society that embraces trashiness. Look at Miley Cyrus.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but I say we have become a society that caters to the lowest common denominator. This particular situation and the cast of characters (the Vice Chancellor and “professor”) are perfect examples of this. 50 years ago, knuckleheads like those two could never have been appointed to positions of such stature, but today they are part and parcel of higher (lower) education in the USA.