What About Rite of Passage?

I've lived and worked in higher education for 30 years now and I found THE IMPENDING DEMISE OF THE UNIVERSITY [6.4.09], By Don Tapscott interesting but missing something I think I see every summer orientation. As a parent of three boys (two in College now) and one to go next fall, one of the REAL things College is doing in our culture is providing a "rite of passage." It is the postmodern world's way of ceremonially moving young people into adulthood. All cultures have them, and don't be fooled, they are very powerful things. I agree technology is impacting education in ways we don't understand, but until another rite of passage comes along ,I don't think Higher Ed. is in trouble. What do you think?