Advice for Students

Hiring a Professional Typist/Word-processor

Make sure the typist has a copy of these instructions.

Students who choose to hire a typist to prepare the manuscript must ensure that the typist has these instructions before beginning the job. (Additional copies of the University Thesis Writing Guide are available in the Academic Programs and Graduate Studies Student Services office, WA 877.)
 

Agree on all details before work begins.

Neither the university nor any of its offices or departments is responsible for matters concerning students' relationships or agreements with any outside agency or individual; therefore, neither the University nor any of its units will take part in disagreements between student and typist concerning services offered or expected (including costs billed or paid). It is wise for you and the typist to agree on all details, preferably in writing, before the work is begun. Such agreements include the typist's estimate of cost (based on information from you) and an estimate of time needed to complete the typing, as well as an understanding of responsibility for any required retyping. You are advised to examine the first few typed pages to make certain the typist uses proper format and produces professional copy. Do not wait until the job is finished to determine compliance with standards and requirements.
 

Allow time to complete each step involved in producing your thesis.

Allow time for your draft preparation. A good typist types about eight pages an hour. Generally, only the most competent, professional typist is able to spend more than four hours a day on a thesis. Also allow time for proofreading, for consideration by your University Thesis Committee (a week or more), for making the inevitable corrections or additions, and for obtaining the signatures on the approval page of all your committee members—all before the format review deadline.
 

Finding a typist.

Typists sometimes advertise in the Cal State East Bay Pioneer newspaper, or they may post notices of their services on bulletin boards around campus. Typists who specialize in theses also advertise in the yellow pages under "Word-processing Services."