Mandatory Electronic Theses & Dissertations for Dec. Graduation
The Graduate College is making thesis and dissertation deposit easier...and paperless for all! Currently, we offer both an electronic review/deposit option and a paper review/deposit option. Beginning with the December 2010 graduation period, however, the paper review/deposit option will be eliminated.
All students depositing theses or dissertations in the Graduate College must do so electronically, effective July 19 for doctoral students and July 26 for master’s students (the start of the December 2010 deposit period for doctoral and master’s students, respectively). This change was approved by the Graduate College Executive Committee in March 2010.
ETD (Electronic Thesis and Dissertation) deposits offer many advantages for both students and the University. It eliminates many of the expenses associated with paper deposit, such as copying and travel costs, which are often incurred by students. For the University, this change will reduce paper use, lower storage and maintenance costs for the University Library and streamline processes in both the Graduate College Thesis Office and the University Library. It will also allow the Graduate College to reduce confusion about deposit requirements, enhance communications with departments about deposits, and reduce the time between depositing, archiving, and distribution of theses.
Information regarding the various release options available to students can be found at www.grad.illinois.edu/thesis-faqs#Thesis_release_options. The current patent review process will remain unchanged; documents held for patent review will not be released until OTM advises that it is appropriate to do so.
Since its implementation in October 2009, ETD has been very successful. Eighty-five percent of master’s and doctoral students chose ETD deposit the first term it was offered. That number has continued to grow past 90% in Spring 2010. ETDs are available through the Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship (IDEALS) at http://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/5130.
Please also remember that the October graduation period has been completely eliminated, and no October deposit or conferral date will be offered, effective Fall 2010. Additional information about thesis deposit and the Graduate College’s Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) option is available at www.grad.illinois.edu/faculty-staff/thesis. The Graduate College academic calendar is available at www.grad.illinois.edu/general/calendar/current.