I don't think AYRT was arguing that college in the 80s isn't any different to college now. I think they were saying that a college AU is a college AU. Why would it being set in the present be an issue? Why would the reader expect an AU to be canon adherent about what era it's set it, when the whole thing about AUs is that they're NOT canon adherent.

If it's not your thing it's not your thing, and that's cool. I just don't think the specific criticism of modern-day college AUs for not being canon adherent makes sense in this context.