On the Campus Senior thesis moves into the digital era

Tim O'Neil '76 Says:

2012-12-11 11:18:19

R.I.P. Student Thesis Binding Agency ...

Sev Onyshkevych '83 Says:

2012-12-11 14:37:38

There is a visceral feeling to a bound, paper thesis that is impossible to replicate digitally. Even though I was a computer science/electrical engineering major so my thesis was optional and submitted electronically, I think it is grossly unacceptable to stop storing paper theses. At worst, the paper format should be optional; those who submit a thesis on paper should have this paper format preserved for posterity. Clearly, the fact that paper theses are the most-requested items from Mudd Library indicates that there is demand for such. Why not let the free market decide - there is demand, we should continue the supply and not make the decision based on some ukase from some petty central-planning bureaucrat.

Kristin Epstein '97 Says:

2012-12-12 11:20:42

Why not digitally archive the old ones to make room for the new?

Steve Bohrer '88 Says:

2012-12-17 09:27:14

I assume this means that theses are now submitted as PDFs as well, but the article does not actually say that. It is possible that students still need to print and bind a copy to hand in, and also submit a PDF for the library. More details, please.

Jennifer Altmann Says:

2012-12-17 11:36:14

The new policy at Mudd Library means students now will be required to hand in a PDF of the thesis to their department, according to Pascale Poussart, the director of undergraduate research. But the change doesn’t affect other departmental requirements for the thesis, so students will continue to hand in bound theses if required by their department.