Boston (Rooters) -- Just days after Republican Scott Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in a special election for the Massachusetts US Senate seat, major changes continue to roil the Bay State, experts say.

Brown's election to the late Ted Kennedy's seat has ramifications not limited to the political arena, a top sociologist told Rooters.

"The election of a Republican -- a member of a regional political party consisting almost exclusively of Southern white males -- is bound to change Massachusetts, and not for the better," said the prominent professor of sociology, who requested anonymity.

"I expect to see large increases in the consumption of grits, biscuits and gravy, and Dr. Pepper ... and, oh my God, pick-up trucks. It's almost unfathomable," he said.

That pessimistic view of the election's lingering after effects is not limited to the field of sociology, other experts said.

"According to the best political minds I talk to at the state's colleges and universities, this is an unmistakable sign that Massachusetts is trending Southern," a professor of English literature at another school said.

"I don't care for catfish -- even when it's broiled and served with a white-wine reduction sauce," said the despondent academic.

"What am I going to do? Will the fact that I don't know what a hush puppy or a Moon Pie is have the potential to make me a modern-day Hester Prynne? These serious issues should have been considered by the people of Massachusetts before voting for Mr. Brown. Their callous behavior in the voting booth reminds me of Estella's flippant disregard for Pip's feelings. Frankly, a move to Vermont is not out of the question," he said sternly.

The changes on state campuses are coming so swiftly that as many as eight of Massachusetts' colleges and universities are said to be seriously considering an attempt to become members of the Southeastern Conference, according to sources.

"From what I hear, it's just a matter of time before the schools form the SEC's Northern Division," said one university chancellor who wished to remain unidentified.

"The sports competition will be tough, no doubt, but many of us worry that the conference's coarse Southern culture will not be good for the student athletes," said the official.

The schools mentioned by those familiar with the talks include: Amherst, Brandeis, Harvard, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley, Williams, and the College of Our Lady of the Elms, said the chancellor.

Calls to the schools were not returned.