Launching_VVG Interdisciplinary_JJ Programs_NN2 as_CSA College_NN1 Signature_NN1 Areas_NN2 :_: An_AT1 Example_NN1 Administrators_NN2 concerned_JJ with_IW inspiring_JJ and_CC supporting_JJ faculty_NN1 members_NN2 '_GE interests_NN2 are_VBR often_RR in_II31 search_II32 of_II33 ways_NN2 to_TO energize_VVI them_PPHO2 to_TO work_VVI and_CC collaborate_VVI in_II new_JJ and_CC innovative_JJ ways_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 article_NN1 describes_VVZ an_AT1 initiative_NN1 aimed_VVN at_II increasing_VVG and_CC focusing_VVG the_AT interest_NN1 of_IO the_AT faculty_NN1 in_II the_AT creation_NN1 of_IO interdisciplinary_JJ research_NN1 ,_, curricula_NN2 ,_, and_CC public_JJ engagement_NN1 programs_NN2 in_II the_AT College_NN1 of_IO Liberal_JJ Arts_NN2 and_CC Sciences_NN2 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Colorado_NP1 Denver_NP1 through_II the_AT creation_NN1 of_IO college_NN1 wide_JJ "_" signature_NN1 areas_NN2 "_" that_CST will_VM serve_VVI as_CSA areas_NN2 of_IO distinction_NN1 for_IF the_AT College_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 initiative_NN1 was_VBDZ used_VVN by_II the_AT Dean_NP1 's_GE Office_NN1 strategically_RR to_TO energize_VVI and_CC transform_VVI the_AT College_NN1 by_II recognizing_VVG and_CC encouraging_JJ faculty_NN1 interests_NN2 while_CS also_RR sparking_VVG new_JJ collaborations_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 vision_NN1 that_CST would_VM enhance_VVI efforts_NN2 across_II departmental_JJ boundaries_NN2 and_CC at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 strengthen_VV0 and_CC revitalize_VV0 existing_JJ departments_NN2 ._. 
In_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 ,_, interest_NN1 in_II interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 has_VHZ increased_VVN nationwide_RL (_( Bohen_NP1 and_CC Stiles_NP1 1998_MC ;_; Casey_NP1 1994_MC ;_; Feller_NN1 2007_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 and_CC Jean_NP1 2003_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2004_MC ;_; Lattuca_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2004_MC ;_; Davis_NP1 2007_MC ;_; Pfirman_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2005_MC ;_; Redden_VV0 2007_MC )_) ._. 
The_AT understanding_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, of_IO what_DDQ exactly_RR constitutes_VVZ interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 varies_VVZ considerably_RR ._. 
This_DD1 variability_NN1 in_II the_AT meaning_NN1 and_CC broadness_NN1 of_IO use_NN1 of_IO the_AT term_NN1 has_VHZ led_VVN some_DD (_( Wasserstrom_NP1 2006_MC )_) to_TO suggest_VVI that_CST the_AT term_NN1 "_" interdisciplinary_JJ "_" has_VHZ been_VBN used_VVN so_RG inconsistently_RR that_CST it_PPH1 has_VHZ lost_VVN all_DB meaning_NN1 ._. 
Because_II21 of_II22 the_AT ill_JJ defined_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO the_AT concept_NN1 ,_, both_DB2 faculty_NN1 members_NN2 and_CC administrators_NN2 may_VM talk_VVI at_II cross_NN1 purposes_NN2 ;_; and_CC interdisciplinary_JJ initiatives_NN2 suffer_VV0 as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ._. 
Rather_II21 than_II22 finding_VVG fault_NN1 with_IW the_AT broad_JJ and_CC wide_JJ ranging_JJ uses_NN2 of_IO the_AT interdisciplinary_JJ concept_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 argue_VV0 that_CST the_AT diversity_NN1 in_II its_APPGE use_NN1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT concept_NN1 's_GE strengths_NN2 ;_; and_CC it_PPH1 should_VM be_VBI embraced_VVN and_CC explored_VVN ._. 
Interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 can_VM ,_, and_CC should_VM ,_, come_VV0 in_II many_DA2 forms_NN2 ,_, including_VVG ,_, but_CCB not_XX restricted_VVN to_II ,_, research_NN1 projects_NN2 ,_, academic_JJ programs_NN2 ,_, public_JJ engagement_NN1 ,_, and_CC forms_NN2 of_IO service_NN1 learning_NN1 ._. 
Although_CS to_II date_NN1 ,_, most_DAT of_IO the_AT literature_NN1 has_VHZ concentrated_VVN on_II issues_NN2 of_IO teaching_NN1 (_( Lattuca_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2004_MC )_) or_CC research_NN1 (_( Brainard_NP1 2002_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 and_CC Jean_NP1 2003_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2004_MC ;_; Pfirman_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2005_MC )_) ,_, the_AT lessons_NN2 learned_VVN in_II these_DD2 areas_NN2 can_VM be_VBI applied_VVN elsewhere_RL ._. 
In_II this_DD1 article_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 present_VV0 an_AT1 example_NN1 of_IO the_AT development_NN1 and_CC continuing_JJ evolution_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 signature_NN1 area_NN1 initiative_NN1 to_TO create_VVI interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 in_II the_AT College_NN1 of_IO Liberal_JJ Arts_NN2 and_CC Sciences_NN2 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Colorado_NP1 Denver_NP1 ._. 
These_DD2 programs_NN2 encompass_VV0 areas_NN2 of_IO research_NN1 and_CC teaching_NN1 but_CCB also_RR embrace_VV0 programs_NN2 directed_VVN at_II public_JJ engagement_NN1 ,_, undergraduate_NN1 research_NN1 ,_, and_CC service_NN1 learning_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Need_NN1 for_IF Interdisciplinary_JJ Approaches_NN2 Several_DA2 reasons_NN2 support_VV0 the_AT establishment_NN1 and_CC bolstering_VVG of_IO interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 ,_, including_II the_AT changing_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO research_NN1 ,_, curricula_NN2 ,_, and_CC external_JJ funding_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT most_RGT common_JJ and_CC in_II many_DA2 ways_NN2 compelling_VVG reasons_NN2 is_VBZ that_CST many_DA2 of_IO the_AT ideas_NN2 current_JJ scholars_NN2 are_VBR interested_JJ in_II addressing_VVG in_II their_APPGE research_NN1 are_VBR not_XX contained_VVN within_II a_AT1 single_JJ traditional_JJ discipline_NN1 and_CC benefit_VV0 from_II multiple_JJ perspectives_NN2 (_( Bohen_NP1 and_CC Stiles_NP1 1998_MC ;_; Feller_NN1 2007_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2004_MC ;_; Davis_NP1 2007_MC ;_; Pfirman_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2005_MC )_) ._. 
This_DD1 fact_NN1 also_RR reflects_VVZ a_AT1 growing_JJ feeling_NN1 within_II higher_JJR education_NN1 and_CC funding_NN1 agencies_NN2 that_CST colleges_NN2 and_CC universities_NN2 should_VM work_VVI to_TO tackle_VVI the_AT challenges_NN2 faced_VVN by_II societies_NN2 both_RR globally_RR and_CC locally_RR and_CC that_CST these_DD2 challenges_NN2 rarely_RR fall_VV0 neatly_RR into_II a_AT1 single_JJ discipline_NN1 ._. 
Current_JJ boundaries_NN2 between_II and_CC among_II disciplines_NN2 are_VBR largely_RR the_AT result_NN1 of_IO the_AT administrative_JJ structures_NN2 to_TO support_VVI research_NN1 and_CC teaching_VVG at_II colleges_NN2 and_CC universities_NN2 and_CC at_II the_AT national_JJ level_NN1 within_II professional_JJ societies_NN2 that_CST existed_VVD during_II the_AT first_MD half_NN1 of_IO the_AT last_MD century_NNT1 ._. 
As_CSA society_NN1 has_VHZ become_VVN more_RGR complex_JJ ,_, research_NN1 questions_NN2 have_VH0 changed_VVN ;_; and_CC the_AT structures_NN2 of_IO earlier_JJR times_NNT2 no_RR21 longer_RR22 accommodate_VV0 the_AT research_NN1 needed_VVN and_CC the_AT teaching_NN1 that_CST emanates_VVZ from_II this_DD1 research_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, scholars_NN2 increasingly_RR look_VV0 across_II traditional_JJ disciplinary_JJ boundaries_NN2 in_II new_JJ and_CC interesting_JJ ways_NN2 ._. 
Hindrances_NN2 and_CC Possible_JJ Solutions_NN2 Despite_II the_AT obvious_JJ interest_NN1 of_IO different_JJ constituencies_NN2 (_( students_NN2 ;_; faculty_NN1 members_NN2 ;_; administrators_NN2 ;_; funding_NN1 agencies_NN2 ;_; politicians_NN2 ;_; and_CC industrial_JJ ,_, business_NN1 ,_, and_CC non-profit_JJ partners_NN2 in_II interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 of_IO different_JJ types_NN2 )_) ,_, there_EX are_VBR numerous_JJ and_CC significant_JJ hindrances_NN2 to_II their_APPGE success_NN1 (_( Bohen_NP1 and_CC Stiles_NP1 1998_MC ;_; Feller_NN1 2007_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 2005_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 and_CC Jean_NP1 2003_MC ;_; Frost_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2004_MC ;_; Lele_NP1 and_CC Norgaard_NP1 2005_MC ;_; Pfirman_NP1 et_RA21 al_RA22 ._. 
2005_MC ;_; Tatar_JJ 2005_MC )_) ._. 
Faculty_NN1 members_NN2 and_CC administrators_NN2 sometimes_RT appear_VV0 to_TO work_VVI at_II cross_NN1 purposes_NN2 and_CC view_VVI each_PPX221 other_PPX222 's_GE initiatives_NN2 with_IW suspicion_NN1 ._. 
Feeding_VVG into_II these_DD2 suspicions_NN2 are_VBR the_AT existing_JJ structures_NN2 and_CC boundaries_NN2 within_II institutions_NN2 that_CST seem_VV0 at_II odds_NN2 with_IW the_AT idea_NN1 of_IO interdisciplinary_JJ work_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO specific_JJ issues_NN2 flow_VV0 from_II these_DD2 structural_JJ issues_NN2 ,_, including_II time_NNT1 commitments_NN2 of_IO those_DD2 involved_VVN ;_; availability_NN1 of_IO and_CC competition_NN1 for_IF resources_NN2 ;_; and_CC the_AT necessary_JJ level_NN1 of_IO faculty_NN1 ,_, staff_NN ,_, and_CC administrative_JJ participation_NN1 and_CC support_NN1 ._. 
Launching_VVG Interdisciplinary_JJ Signature_NN1 Areas_NN2 Over_II the_AT last_MD two_MC years_NNT2 ,_, seven_MC new_JJ interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 were_VBDR developed_VVN in_II the_AT College_NN1 of_IO Liberal_JJ Arts_NN2 and_CC Sciences_NN2 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Colorado_NP1 Denver_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 RU/VH_NN1 Research_NN1 University_NN1 ,_, to_TO serve_VVI as_II signature_NN1 areas_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ are_VBR to_TO be_VBI understood_VVN as_CSA areas_NN2 of_IO distinction_NN1 ,_, and_CC to_TO help_VVI transform_VVI and_CC energize_VVI a_AT1 college_NN1 of_IO eighteen_MC distinct_JJ departments_NN2 ._. 
In_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO overcome_VVI the_AT typical_JJ hindrances_NN2 to_II interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 ,_, the_AT Dean_NP1 's_GE Office_NN1 articulated_VVN three_MC goals_NN2 to_TO guide_VVI the_AT development_NN1 process_NN1 ._. 
The_AT first_MD goal_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO overcome_VVI chairpersons_NN2 '_GE suspicions_NN2 that_CST identifying_VVG and_CC promoting_VVG interdisciplinary_JJ signature_NN1 areas_NN2 would_VM result_VVI in_II the_AT loss_NN1 of_IO human_NN1 and_CC financial_JJ resources_NN2 from_II their_APPGE departmental_JJ programs_NN2 ._. 
The_AT second_MD goal_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO overcome_VVI the_AT concern_NN1 of_IO faculty_NN1 members_NN2 that_CST they_PPHS2 would_VM not_XX be_VBI rewarded_VVN for_IF their_APPGE efforts_NN2 and_CC that_CST the_AT new_JJ signature_NN1 areas_NN2 would_VM be_VBI an_AT1 additional_JJ task_NN1 added_VVN on_II31 top_II32 of_II33 an_AT1 already_RR busy_JJ schedule_NN1 ._. 
The_AT third_MD and_CC final_JJ goal_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO overcome_VVI the_AT potential_JJ view_NN1 of_IO administrators_NN2 at_II multiple_JJ levels_NN2 that_CST the_AT programs_NN2 might_VM be_VBI a_AT1 poor_JJ investment_NN1 of_IO resources_NN2 and_CC would_VM not_XX be_VBI supported_VVN by_II the_AT faculty_NN1 in_II the_AT long_JJ term_NN1 ._. 
In_RR21 short_RR22 ,_, the_AT dean_NN1 's_GE office_NN1 needed_VVD to_TO ensure_VVI acceptance_NN1 and_CC commitment_NN1 by_II chairpersons_NN2 ,_, faculty_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, and_CC administrators_NN2 by_II all_DB three_MC groups_NN2 ._. 
Fortunately_RR ,_, there_EX were_VBDR already_RR some_DD examples_NN2 of_IO successful_JJ interdisciplinary_JJ work_NN1 on_II campus_NN1 ,_, and_CC thus_RR there_EX were_VBDR faculty_NN1 members_NN2 and_CC administrators_NN2 already_RR predisposed_VVN to_TO be_VBI positive_JJ about_II the_AT chance_NN1 to_TO formalize_VVI interdisciplinary_JJ work_NN1 and_CC have_VH0 it_PPH1 recognized_VVN within_II the_AT College_NN1 's_GE organizational_JJ structure_NN1 ._. 
In_RR21 addition_RR22 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 new_JJ dean_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD been_VBN involved_JJ in_II developing_VVG interdisciplinary_JJ groups_NN2 elsewhere_RL and_CC a_AT1 sense_NN1 that_CST the_AT College_NN1 was_VBDZ ready_JJ for_IF change_NN1 and_CC could_VM be_VBI a_AT1 more_RGR productive_JJ and_CC dynamic_JJ place_NN1 to_II work_NN1 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 willingness_NN1 at_II all_DB levels_NN2 to_TO try_VVI a_AT1 new_JJ approach_NN1 ._. 
To_TO accomplish_VVI these_DD2 three_MC goals_NN2 ,_, we_PPIS2 engaged_VVD the_AT College_NN1 community_NN1 in_II a_AT1 series_NN of_IO planning_VVG steps_NN2 to_TO ensure_VVI their_APPGE ownership_NN1 of_IO the_AT process_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE outcomes_NN2 ._. 
An_AT1 Associate_JJ Dean_NP1 was_VBDZ assigned_VVN to_TO oversee_VVI the_AT process_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 specific_JJ person_NN1 to_II whom_PNQO faculty_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, chairpersons_NN2 ,_, and_CC administrators_NN2 could_VM direct_VVI questions_NN2 and_CC so_CS21 that_CS22 there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 point_NN1 person_NN1 to_TO ensure_VVI that_CST the_AT process_NN1 remained_VVD on_II task_NN1 ._. 
The_AT process_NN1 began_VVD early_RR in_II the_AT fall_NN1 semester_NN1 of_IO 2006_MC ,_, when_CS the_AT Associate_JJ Dean_NP1 assigned_VVD to_II the_AT initiative_NN1 put_VVD out_RP a_AT1 call_NN1 for_IF two-page_JJ concept_NN1 proposals_NN2 for_IF College-level_JJ interdisciplinary_JJ signature_NN1 areas_NN2 ._. 
To_TO ensure_VVI that_DD1 faculty_NN1 members_NN2 would_VM explore_VVI the_AT full_JJ range_NN1 of_IO possibilities_NN2 ,_, only_RR two_MC restrictions_NN2 were_VBDR placed_VVN on_II proposals_NN2 at_II this_DD1 point_NN1 ._. 
First_MD ,_, the_AT proposals_NN2 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI interdisciplinary_JJ with_IW faculty_NN1 sponsors_NN2 from_II at_RR21 least_RR22 two_MC different_JJ departments_NN2 ._. 
Second_MD ,_, there_EX had_VHD to_TO be_VBI some_DD possibility_NN1 of_IO obtaining_VVG outside_JJ funding_NN1 to_TO sustain_VVI the_AT initiative_NN1 long_JJ term_NN1 ._. 
Once_CS the_AT concept_NN1 proposals_NN2 were_VBDR submitted_VVN ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR subject_II21 to_II22 a_AT1 series_NN of_IO reviews_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 process_NN1 was_VBDZ comprehensive_JJ and_CC rapid_JJ ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ necessary_JJ in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO maintain_VVI the_AT momentum_NN1 the_AT faculty_NN1 members_NN2 had_VHD established_VVN in_II developing_VVG the_AT proposals_NN2 and_CC to_TO demonstrate_VVI the_AT commitment_NN1 of_IO the_AT administration_NN1 to_II the_AT process_NN1 ._. 
The_AT staff_NN of_IO the_AT Dean_NP1 's_GE Office_NN1 reviewed_VVD the_AT proposals_NN2 to_TO look_VVI for_IF potential_JJ connections_NN2 between_II proposals_NN2 that_CST could_VM be_VBI used_VVN to_TO recommend_VVI even_RR stronger_JJR ,_, merged_JJ proposals_NN2 ._. 
The_AT chairpersons_NN2 of_IO the_AT traditional_JJ departments_NN2 also_RR reviewed_VVD the_AT proposals_NN2 for_IF both_DB2 content_JJ and_CC budgetary_JJ impact_NN1 on_II their_APPGE own_DA programs_NN2 ._. 
After_CS the_AT merging_NN1 of_IO two_MC proposals_NN2 with_IW considerable_JJ overlap_NN1 ,_, the_AT ten_MC remaining_JJ faculty_NN1 teams_NN2 were_VBDR then_RT given_VVN one_MC1 month_NNT1 to_TO write_VVI extended_VVN ,_, five-page_JJ proposals_NN2 which_DDQ allowed_VVD them_PPHO2 to_TO expand_VVI upon_II their_APPGE original_JJ premise_NN1 and_CC address_NN1 comments_NN2 from_II personnel_NN2 in_II the_AT Dean_NP1 's_GE Office_NN1 and_CC department_NN1 chairs_NN2 ._. 
By_II January_NPM1 of_IO 2007_MC ,_, the_AT five-page_JJ proposals_NN2 and_CC abstracts_NN2 were_VBDR complete_JJ and_CC posted_VVN on_II the_AT College_NN1 web_NN1 page_NN1 for_IF examination_NN1 by_II students_NN2 ,_, staff_NN ,_, faculty_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, and_CC administrators_NN2 ._. 
Two_MC open_JJ forums_NN2 were_VBDR held_VVN in_II January_NPM1 ,_, at_II which_DDQ each_DD1 group_NN1 offered_VVD a_AT1 five-minute_JJ overview_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE project_NN1 and_CC then_RT responded_VVN to_II questions_NN2 ._. 
Because_CS College_NN1 resources_NN2 would_VM be_VBI allocated_VVN to_II these_DD2 new_JJ activities_NN2 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ considerable_JJ interest_NN1 in_II them_PPHO2 ,_, so_RR all_DB presentations_NN2 were_VBDR given_VVN at_II both_DB2 forums_NN2 to_TO accommodate_VVI differing_JJ schedules_NN2 ._. 
Ballots_NN2 were_VBDR distributed_VVN at_II the_AT forums_NN2 ,_, posted_VVN on_II the_AT signature_NN1 area_NN1 web_NN1 page_NN1 ,_, and_CC also_RR distributed_VVN via_II e-mail_NN1 to_II all_DB faculty_NN1 and_CC staff_NN ,_, with_IW a_AT1 request_NN1 to_II department_NN1 chairs_NN2 that_CST they_PPHS2 be_VBI forwarded_VVN to_TO graduate_VVI students_NN2 and_CC to_II undergraduate_NN1 majors_NN2 and_CC minors_NN2 ._. 
The_AT College_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 strong_JJ tradition_NN1 of_IO shared_JJ governance_NN1 ._. 
Therefore_RR ,_, the_AT voting_NN1 results_NN2 were_VBDR presented_VVN to_II and_CC endorsed_VVN by_II the_AT college-wide_JJ faculty_NN1 governance_NN1 council_NN1 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT department_NN1 chairpersons_NN2 ._. 
Once_CS the_AT results_NN2 were_VBDR announced_VVN ,_, these_DD2 groups_NN2 were_VBDR asked_VVN to_TO recommend_VVI how_RGQ many_DA2 of_IO the_AT proposals_NN2 should_VM be_VBI supported_VVN ._. 
The_AT Dean_NP1 's_GE office_NN1 took_VVD the_AT recommendations_NN2 of_IO all_DB of_IO those_DD2 groups_NN2 ,_, looked_VVN at_II potential_JJ costs_NN2 and_CC available_JJ resources_NN2 ,_, and_CC elected_VVN to_TO follow_VVI the_AT recommendation_NN1 of_IO the_AT faculty_NN1 committees_NN2 and_CC support_VV0 the_AT seven_MC proposals_NN2 that_CST had_VHD received_VVN the_AT most_DAT votes_NN2 ._. 
(_( Table_NN1 I_ZZ1 )_) ._. 
Given_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT College_NN1 includes_VVZ a_AT1 wide_JJ range_NN1 of_IO departments_NN2 across_II the_AT liberal_JJ arts_NN2 and_CC sciences_NN2 and_CC is_VBZ located_VVN on_II an_AT1 urban_JJ campus_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ encouraging_JJ to_TO see_VVI both_DB2 the_AT breadth_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 signature_NN1 areas_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT inclusion_NN1 of_IO research_NN1 ,_, curricular_JJ ,_, service_NN1 learning_NN1 ,_, and_CC public_JJ engagement_NN1 themes_NN2 ._. 
Thus_RR the_AT signature_NN1 areas_NN2 reflect_VV0 the_AT diversity_NN1 of_IO cross-cutting_JJ interests_NN2 in_II the_AT College_NN1 and_CC the_AT aspirations_NN2 of_IO the_AT faculty_NN1 to_TO make_VVI major_JJ contributions_NN2 that_CST are_VBR core_NN1 to_II the_AT mission_NN1 of_IO the_AT institution_NN1 ._. 
By_II supporting_VVG all_DB seven_MC of_IO the_AT recommended_JJ proposals_NN2 ,_, the_AT cross_NN1 cutting_VVG interests_NN2 of_IO the_AT faculty_NN1 were_VBDR both_DB2 validated_VVD and_CC encouraged_VVD ._. 
The_AT multi-stage_JJ process_NN1 described_VVN above_RL successfully_RR engaged_JJ faculty_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, the_AT majority_NN1 of_IO whom_PNQO attended_VVD the_AT presentations_NN2 and_CC voted_VVD ._. 
Department_NN1 chairpersons_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS encouraged_VVD their_APPGE faculty_NN1 to_TO participate_VVI ,_, engaged_VVD seriously_RR in_II evaluating_VVG proposals_NN2 and_CC in_II the_AT governance_NN1 process_NN1 ._. 
The_AT review_NN1 and_CC endorsement_NN1 of_IO the_AT proposals_NN2 by_II the_AT faculty_NN1 ,_, department_NN1 chairs_NN2 ,_, and_CC dean_NN1 's_GE office_NN1 personnel_NN2 resulted_VVN in_II momentum_NN1 to_TO continue_VVI to_II the_AT next_MD stage_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ important_JJ to_TO note_VVI that_CST all_DB of_IO the_AT signature_NN1 areas_NN2 were_VBDR proposed_VVN by_II grassroots_NN2 faculty_NN1 groups_NN2 (_( not_XX by_II administrative_JJ fiat_NN1 )_) and_CC that_CST the_AT signature_NN1 areas_NN2 selected_VVN were_VBDR those_DD2 receiving_VVG the_AT most_RRT support_VV0 from_II the_AT voting_NN1 process_NN1 and_CC evaluation_NN1 by_II governance_NN1 unit_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 believe_VV0 that_CST this_DD1 was_VBDZ critical_JJ to_II the_AT credibility_NN1 of_IO the_AT process_NN1 ._. 
Conclusion_NN1 The_AT process_NN1 described_VVN above_RL resulted_VVN in_II considerable_JJ excitement_NN1 and_CC commitment_NN1 by_II the_AT faculty_NN1 members_NN2 who_PNQS proposed_VVD the_AT signature_NN1 areas_NN2 and_CC the_AT administrators_NN2 who_PNQS developed_VVD the_AT process_NN1 ._. 
Because_II21 of_II22 the_AT grass_NN1 roots_NN2 nature_NN1 of_IO faculty_NN1 involvement_NN1 in_II proposing_VVG signature_NN1 areas_NN2 ,_, arguing_VVG for_IF them_PPHO2 in_II public_JJ forums_NN2 and_CC winning_VVG a_AT1 vote_NN1 of_IO confidence_NN1 from_II peers_NN2 ,_, students_NN2 ,_, and_CC administrators_NN2 ,_, the_AT faculty_NN1 has_VHZ taken_VVN ownership_NN1 of_IO the_AT programs_NN2 ._. 
The_AT administration_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN supportive_JJ of_IO faculty_NN1 activities_NN2 in_II these_DD2 areas_NN2 because_CS the_AT faculty_NN1 has_VHZ demonstrated_VVN its_APPGE commitment_NN1 through_II the_AT development_NN1 of_IO strategic_JJ and_CC business_NN1 plans_NN2 ._. 
The_AT signature_NN1 areas_NN2 continue_VV0 to_TO develop_VVI today_RT through_II workshops_NN2 and_CC strategic_JJ planning_NN1 retreats_VVZ that_CST are_VBR engaging_VVG both_DB2 those_DD2 who_PNQS initially_RR proposed_VVD the_AT areas_NN2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 others_NN2 who_PNQS are_VBR interested_JJ in_II getting_VVG involved_VVN as_CSA it_PPH1 becomes_VVZ clearer_JJR what_DDQ these_DD2 areas_NN2 are_VBR accomplishing_VVG ._. 
Although_CS the_AT College_NN1 is_VBZ in_II the_AT early_JJ stages_NN2 of_IO the_AT implementation_NN1 of_IO the_AT signature_NN1 areas_NN2 ,_, the_AT success_NN1 of_IO the_AT launch_NN1 process_NN1 and_CC the_AT growth_NN1 of_IO the_AT areas_NN2 to_II date_NN1 suggest_VV0 that_CST this_DD1 process_NN1 may_VM be_VBI useful_JJ to_II others_NN2 in_II the_AT development_NN1 of_IO ways_NN2 to_TO start_VVI new_JJ interdisciplinary_JJ programs_NN2 ._. 
Key_NN1 to_II the_AT success_NN1 were_VBDR the_AT frequent_JJ communication_NN1 among_II faculty_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, chairpersons_NN2 ,_, and_CC administrators_NN2 in_II the_AT Dean_NP1 's_GE Office_NN1 and_CC the_AT structuring_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 process_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ viewed_VVN as_CSA open_JJ ,_, fair_JJ ,_, and_CC driven_VVN by_II faculty_NN1 excitement_NN1 and_CC interests_NN2 rather_II21 than_II22 something_PN1 intended_VVD to_TO result_VVI in_II a_AT1 pre-decided_JJ outcome_NN1 driven_VVN by_II higher_JJR administration_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 recommend_VV0 this_DD1 kind_NN1 of_IO approach_NN1 to_II others_NN2 considering_II expanding_VVG their_APPGE interdisciplinary_JJ activities_NN2 and_CC programs_NN2 ._. 
