[sokka_h2otribe]

I believe the academics concern early on was a lack of confidence in the quality. First through the sciences then outside I think wikipedia showed sufficient quality to eventually be in the good books for academia.

[SAI_Peregrinus]

Yeah, some people didn't like it because anyone could edit it, in contrast to books & journal articles anyone with a bit of money could publish.

You still shouldn't cite it, because it's not a primary source. That's the same with any encyclopedia.