This is the second part in a three-part series examining the progress of Focused Excellence.

A year ago, it appeared that the most dramatic changes under Focused Excellence would come in the form of program closures and changes.

Few have come to fruition, and it's becoming apparent that Focused Excellence will take longer to implement than we expected last year. But the long-term changes could be far-reaching, and administrators have revealed where they may come.

Buried toward the bottom of one of the bulletins announcing the initial Focused Excellence proposals was a list of five academic disciplines that top administrators considered as possibilities for large-scale reorganization.

In other words, these are areas in which the UA could become a leader, or at the very least, could expend fewer resources without doing harm. Those five disciplines are: Life sciences; earth sciences and environmental programs; cognitive sciences and the neurosciences; cultural, ethnic, gender, and area studies; and journalism, communication, and the media.

Last month, the first public focus group was held to consider possibilities for tighter bonds between departments in earth sciences and environmental programs. Attendees considered combining similar courses in different departments, which could free up more researchers.

This idea sounds promising, but the UA would have to be cautious of eliminating too many needed seats in courses. Improved research shouldn't come at the expense of students. The notion of combining courses and collaboration among departments must serve as a central theme as the UA begins to reshape itself in those five disciplines.

By eliminating duplication of resources and creating closer bonds, researchers will be able to make new discoveries more easily and offer classes that harness the interdisciplinary opportunities that are available in a large university.

For example, administrators are slowly making progress toward creating a new college that would combine journalism, communication and possibly library sciences and media arts. Similar colleges around the country have met with success, and the collaborative model they embrace is one the UA should follow.

Many years may pass before these ideas become reality, but if they're implemented carefully, it may well be worth the wait.

Tomorrow: Tuition and minority access