I'm curious if your experience is the same as mine regarding racism.
There were almost no African Americans attending the Uof Conn. back in the mid-60's. Tuition was low. Our dorms were almost entirely white. Then came the revolutions of the late 60's, and women and African Americans spoke and marched for their freedom. 
There are now far more students of color, and the tuition has risen remarkably. I figure it is racism that stopped the legislatures from supporting public colleges. I also figure that is the lesson of Trump's support of private voucher system education...it is more to do with racism and elitism of the rich than anything else.
Were California schools in the mid-60's mostly enclaves of white kids from the middle class? Maybe it was just my limited experience. 
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon