No Need For College?

FreeMan sent me this article;
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/us/01race.html?_r=2
The story outlines the fact that even with an advanced education, many blacks are still passed over for employment.

But the story also cites another article that points out the importance of friendships, connections and networking.
http://caliber.ucpress.net/doi/abs/10.1525/sp.2009.56.3.385?journalCode=sp

And DV's (Blogger DenmarkVesey) take on the importance of a college education is that it can all be replaced by creating online universities that cost less than traditional brick and mortar schools.

But what DV (and many who grew up around only Blacks, went to all Black schools, and attended HBCU's) fails to understand is that the high fees associated with traditional schools are not necessarily paying for a better education.
What is being paid for is better connections.
A better (more broad) pool of resources from which to draw in future endeavors.
An environment that promotes better enculturation/acculturation.

The benefits of a traditional college are more intangible.
What is learned is the culture of Corporate America.
If one wishes to find employment within this culture - knowledge of it's norms are a prerequisite.