[blam]

"Has anyone else noticed academia's shift away from the B.C. / A.D. designation? I've seen it once or twice before and suspect it's intentional- the agenda being to eliminate all Christian references from our daily lives."

Yup. Just ignore it like I do and continue using BC/AD. (Screw'em!)

[ApplegateRanch]

I, too ignore it when I can.
When I'm in a situation that demands I not use BC/AD, I pointedly spell it out as CHRISTIAN ERA & BEFORE CHRISTIAN ERA.

Look out for the foaming spittle that flies from them if you do it. It is worth carrying a towel, though, just to watch them froth & foam at the mouth.