domains and local computer rights

We are running active directory on a 2003 server and have been able to join people to the domain and then also on their computer we have been able to make them a power user on the local computer. We have set up a new domain on a new 2003 server running active directory and for some reason on this new setup we can no longer make them a power user on their computer. They tell me they are not using group policys and we did not use group policy on the old domain. When I try on their computer to add them to a group I do not see anything other then the local computer where as on the old domain I could see not only the local computer but also the domain controller in the location so I could choose the domain and it was able to find the user. We need to be able to make them power users on their computer because of a program they use but we do not want to make them a power user on the domain. Any suggestions/ideas are appreciated. Thank you.