Administration of Electronic Theses/Dissertations Programs: A Survey of U.S. Institutions

Abstract

Institutions vary widely in the implementation and administration of Electronic Theses/Dissertations (ET/D) programs. Differences are found in the range of personnel involved in ET/D administration, university policy regarding mandatory or optional participation, the provision of student services, and key contacts for student inquiries as well as instruction and resources made available. Initial planning for the start-up phases in ET/D programs is influenced by a number of institutional factors and varied models exist for ET/D initiatives. A survey was conducted of selected academic institutions in the U.S. to identify these factors for consideration, and to present an array of potential strategies for successful implementation of ET/D initiatives.