Hm... In this point it would split me.
On one hand, it should be so that references to popular culture should be allowed, not only because it's what most people know first, but also because even popular culture can have its moments of philosophical and psychical depth. This is not strictly limited to books written by intellectuals.
There only should be any kind of modern pop culture be allowed - let's say, not only hip hop or current pop culture, it should also accept niché culture like from the goths, from books or movies done 30 years ago, or even that kind of culture that I know (I think that's a big contrast, judging by my musical preferations).
But, on the other hand, it should not only be run by that because then you make college an experience as if you'd hang around with friends in your age and you'd write each other fantasy diplomas that have no professional validity.
E. g. you can't talk about the surveillance state only from the point of some recently released computer games, you better take Orwell's famous novel to get it onto a deep niveau that is more like reality and not like something that somebody regards as entertainment.