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Thesis Preparation Guide: Binding

Submitting Your Thesis to SU Libraries for Binding

You're required to submit TWO hard copies of your manuscript to the SU Libraries for binding:
one copy for the Libraries' Archives (NABB) and one copy for the general collection. 

Submit the hard copies of your thesis to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). Staff in the Office of Graduate Studies conducts a technical review of all paper copies of the manuscript for appropriate paper type, sequence of document, and formatting. After passing technical review, staff in the Office of Graduate Studies will deliver all approved paper copies to SU Libraries for binding. For assistance, please contact Jessica Scott, Graduate Program Manager, at jlscott@salisbury.edu. 

Preparing Your Thesis for Binding

Step 1: Prepare two required hard copy of your thesis to be submitted to the SU Libraries for binding.  Binding of library copies are free to you.

Paper

  • at least 25% rag content (a.k.a. cotton or high quality bond) paper
  • 8.5 x 11 inches

Margins

  • To allow for the binding process to not interfere with the text of your printed thesis, margins (including appendices) should be one and one half (1 ½) inches on the left margin and one (1) inch on the top, right, and bottom margins 

Printing

  • print on one side only 

Step 2: Submit the required hard copies of your thesis to the Office of Graduate Studies for technical review and approval. 

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Note: Staff in the Office of Graduate Studies conducts a technical review of all paper copies of the manuscript. If the technical review reveals significant formatting concerns, you may be referred back to your doctoral committee to make changes to your manuscript prior to approving it for the library collection. After passing technical review, staff in the Office of Graduate Studies will deliver all approved paper copies to SU Libraries for binding. 

Printing services

You can print your thesis using the Résumé Printing Station located in the Perdue Hall 141 IT Computer Lab. Instructions are located at the printer. You should bring your own high-quality resume paper.

Binding Departmental Copies

If your department requires a copy, or copies, of your thesis, you must prepare the required number of departmental copies and submit them to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) for technical review and approval. The OGS staff will deliver the approved departmental copy or copies to SU Libraries for binding. 

Binding Personal Copies

As a service to SU students, SU Libraries provides the option to have personal copies of a thesis project bound professionally. You must prepare your own print copies of your manuscript and submit them to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) for technical review and approval. The OGS staff will deliver the approved personal copy or copies to the SU Libraries for binding.

Binding Cost

  • Binding library copies
    Free to students.
  • Binding departmental and/or personal copies
    The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) will cover binding costs for up to four (4) copies (1 department and/or 3 personal copies).
  • Binding additional departmental copies
    Departments may opt to pay for additional copies for students ($26.50 per copy).
  • Binding additional personal copies
    If you want to bind additional personal copies, the cost is $26.50 per copy. The payment can be cash or check. A check should be made out to Salisbury University.

Getting Bound Copies Back

The company that binds SU manuscripts makes periodic trips to SU Libraries to pick up raw copies and to return bound manuscripts.

When bound manuscripts are returned to SU Libraries, the two library copies are added to the Nabb Research Center Theses & Dissertations Collection and the general Stacks Collection and the remaining copies are given to Stephen Ford for distribution. Stephen will contact the student and department to verify where personal and departmental copies should go and to make arrangements for pick up or mailing. At least one copy will be sent to the originating department.

For questions regarding the distribution of bound manuscripts, please contact:

Stephen Ford
Dr. Ernie Bond Curriculum Resource Center, Conway Hall 226
Email: saford@salisbury.edu | Phone: 410-677-4602