Students not following instructions for their graduate theses and dissertations has resulted in a backlog that might delay graduation dates.

Ruth Rhoads, thesis and dissertation adviser, estimates she is three or four weeks behind in looking at the papers. Rhoads is in charge of checking all theses and dissertations to ensure they contain all of the required material.

Jerrold H. Zar, dean and associate provost of graduate studies and research, said Rhoads would not be behind in her work if students would complete the requirements before they turn in their papers. Thesis requirements are published in a “small” manual which is available to all graduate students, Zar said.

“Students shouldn’t turn it in until it’s correct and they’ve met with their advisers. They’re wasting their time,” Zar said.

The extra time Rhoads is spending rechecking papers gives her less time to complete all the theses, he said.

Zar said Rhoads returns wrong papers for correction and has to recheck them each time they are resubmitted. Many students resubmit their papers several times. “Mrs. Rhoads is behind on some (papers) and caught up on others,” Zar said.

This is not the first year for a thesis backup, Zar said. “There is always a problem when students don’t follow directions.”

Zar reported that this problem was presented at the Graduate Council last year, and it was decided that the responsibility lies on students and faculty advisers. The council also set up more understandable guidelines for the manual.

Rhoads declined to be interviewed and is working with an assistant to help her read the theses and dissertations.