Fondly referred to in the UK as “the decade that taste forgot,” the ’80s resurgence in popular culture is the manifestation of what some never thought would happen — again. Yet, traces resurrected from the ’80s now permeate the culture in the areas of fashion, movies and music.

Just a brief stroll around campus quickly proves to produce a collage highlighted by the past -Ñ leg warmers, headbands, tight black jeans, gold and pins galore.

And why not? The current generation of students is, for the most part, a product of the ’80s.

Well, they were conceived during the ’80s, anyway.

In fact, many fans of the decade, current students, hardly remember their years lived during it. There are still others who remember the ’80s vividly.

The ’80s were a time of important developments -Ñ Miami Vice, leg warmers, The Lost Boys and the mullet, to name a few.

Ask any woman who lived out her prime in the ’80s to see a picture and she will laugh at the least. Fashion and film alike had their fair share of bad hair days, cheesy graphics and eccentric styles. Despite a few exceptions, many trends were preferably forgotten.

But it is music that has maintained a consistent popularity among seasoned and novice ’80s music lovers alike, and it is the thread that ties these two groups together on campus.

“I love the ’80s,” Robert Kochersberger, a professor of journalism, said. “It helps remind me of my 30s.”

Recently, Kochersberger showed Prince’s Purple Rain to his copy editing class in order to “relax and focus” them. On the first day of class, the pick was the Moody Blues.

Noticing the growing popularity of ’80s trends, Kochersberger said he enjoys seeing students embrace the ’80s. “I enjoyed it the first time around,” he said.

Similarly, Kristine Clark, a PE instructor, still enjoys ’80s beats. Yet Clark has a bittersweet relationship with the decade of her youth.

Clark’s favorite bands include Depeche Mode, Air Supply, Alphaville — “Forever Young” — and Corey Hart — “Sunglasses At Night.”

“That’s about it,” she said, “the rest was not so good.”

Noticing the resurgence of ’80s trends among her students, she simply said, “Please don’t bring back the ’80s clothes.”

Remembering the “boof” bangs, extra-large shirts and parachute pants, she ensured some things are better left alone.

According to his students, Tom Wallis, a film professor, loves the ’80s.

“Love the ’80s? I love to HATE the ’80s,” he said. “Having grown up in the ’80s, I can’t understand the nostalgia.”

Wallis then proceeded to explain that he “loathes” pop music and basically all elements of popular culture during the decade, saying as a whole the decade “was garbage.”

Wallis has also noticed the emerging trend of the ’80s revival among the younger generation.

“It’s sad … too tragic to comment,” he said. “Anybody who loves the ’80s is either colorblind or hasn’t seen Olivia Newton-John’s ‘Physical’ video recently.”

According to Wallis, one of the worst innovations in the ’80s was the color teal.

“Don’t forget about those garish pastels,” he said, “They were terrible.”

Despite Wallis’ initial reaction to the decade as a whole, the more he pondered, the more he realized his appreciation of certain aspects of ’80s.

“The Clash is good,” he said, “and pins. I’m glad to see them back.”

Wallis was even in a punk band during the ’80s. Evidence of this is a half-smashed electric guitar resting comfortably on the shelf overhead in his office. His band was called The Sphincters. However, Wallis assured there were no mullets involved.

Music transcends time in many cases, and this is no different. Today, both students and teachers share a commonality in musical tastes and influences. The blessing of the older generation given to the younger, ’80s music lives on.

Now as for the fashion, perhaps the advice of these ’80s survivors deserves some serious consideration, lest the “boof” return.