configuring author admin panel? is it possible?

Hello,

I have an interesting question. I have never delved into the admin/editor/author panel configuration, layout, design, etc. I know there are plugins that change the look of the admin panel, but are there ways to change the admin, or specifically the author panel and customize it to include or not include certain functions? For instance, I would like to remove almost everything below the text window in the Add New Post page, so that the authors are not confused by all the stuff that shows up there that they will never need to use.

Is this possible?

Thanks a million!

~g~