3/28/2015
Binding Change Notification
Beginning Fall Semester 2015, the School of Graduate Studies will no longer provide a binding
service to students. Students will have the option to move to the electronic culminating project
(ETD) submission process requiring electronic submission to the online culminating project
repository in the Institutional Repository maintained by Learning Resources Services or students
may elect to submit bound copies to the School of Graduate Studies.
The School of Graduate Studies requires a minimum of one buckram-bound copy on white, acidfree paper and one plain paper copy (plus a $10 microfilm fee) to be submitted.
Departments should determine standard guidelines for all students regarding paper submission
requirements. Departments/Programs may elect to require:
 Three (3) bound copies/one (1) plain paper copy (Library, Department, and
Advisor/microfilming);
 Two (2) bound copies/one (1) plain paper copy (Library and Advisor/microfilming); or
 One (1) bound copy/one (1) plain paper copy (Library/microfilming).
The cost of copying and binding the documents will be shifted fully to the student. Mindful of
cost, the School of Graduate Studies will no longer require 100% cotton-bond paper and will
allow students to choose white, acid-free paper for binding. Graduate Studies will provide
students with information on binding copies through the University of Minnesota Bindery or
Kinko’s. We will also provide specific binding guidelines that will allow students to select
another bindery of their choice.
Students submitting a paper culminating project must file an Intent to Submit by Paper form. The
advisor must select, in adherence to department/program guidelines, to require the School of
Graduate Studies minimum or the minimum plus additional copies.
3/28/2015
Graduate School Minimum:
 The student is responsible for having one copy bound on archival quality paper according to
School of Graduate Studies’ specifications (100% cotton bond or other archival quality brightwhite paper).
 The student will submit one final-bound copy and one plain-paper copy of the formatted
culminating project to the School of Graduate Studies with a $10 fee for microfilming.
 Programs may request the student provide the advisor and/or the department with a spiral- or
tape-bound copy of the culminating project, or may request a formatted electronic copy.
 Approximate Cost to Student: $60 ($85 with tape-bound copy)
Two bound copies:
 The student is responsible for having two copies bound on archival quality paper according to
School of Graduate Studies’ specifications (100% cotton-bond paper or other archival quality
bright-white paper).
 The student will submit two final-bound copies and one plain-paper copy of the formatted
culminating project to the School of Graduate Studies with a $10 fee for microfilming.
 Programs may request the student provide the advisor and/or the department with a spiral- or
tape-bound copy of the culminating project, or may request a formatted electronic copy.
 Approximate Cost to Student: $105 ($130 with tape bound copy)
Three bound Copies:
 The student is responsible for having a minimum of three copies bound on archival quality paper
according to our specifications (100% cotton-bond paper or other archival quality bright-white
paper).
 The student will submit three final bound copies (advisor, department, and library) and one plainpaper copy of the formatted culminating project to the School of Graduate Studies with a $10 fee
for microfilming.
 Approximate Cost to Student: $150
Electronic Submission:
 The student is responsible for submitting the approved and formatted culminating project
electronically through the online ETD submission (intake) system.
 Electronic submissions will be made available online through the Institutional Repository.
Students will pay a $30 submission fee (if required by institutional cost structure).
 An option of an annually renewable public embargo will be available to students meeting specific
criteria.
 Programs may request the student provide the advisor and/or the department with a spiral or tape
bound copy of the culminating project or may request a formatted electronic copy.
 Approximate Cost to Student: $30, or $55 with tape bound copy