If so the many online learning organizations that sprang up this year seem well positioned to greatly weaken the university system.

How do you learn how to (say) operate scintillators and photomultiplier tubes from online learning organizations? There are skills you just can't practice without hands-on experience. (OTOH I can't see any good reason why in-person attendance would be vital for studying for a degree in English literature, but then again AFAIK attendance is not usually compulsory in such courses. I'd bet the reason why people don't learn stuff online and only show up for exams is that that way it's harder to convince your parents to pay for your rent in another town while you're partying most nights.)