Arizona State University has problems, just how its president likes it

Since Michael Crow was named president of Arizona State University eight years ago, the university has increasingly organized itself with an eye toward attacking some of the world’s greatest challenges. Rather than divide an institution into academic departments – those are just "social constructs," he’d argue – Crow has pushed for new cross-disciplinary organizational structures that are defined by the problems faculty seek to solve – reforming K-12 education, for instance – rather than the disciplines of those who will try to solve them.

"The standard rigid model is ossified," Crow says with something approaching disdain.

By Jack Stripling, Inside Higher Ed

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-07-16-ihe-arizona-state_N.htm