Margin of Error

The 'margin ladies' make sure every dissertation isThe 'margin ladies' make sure every dissertation isindented, sourced and researched by the book. Lisa Maria Noudehou timidly opened the door to room 16 of College Hall. It was the day after the paperwork for her 400-page dissertation was due. She tried to creep into the office and slip the papers onto the receptionist's desk. But waiting just inside -- with her red pen poised -- was the lady who would decide Noudehou's doctoral fate. And Connie Sanders, coordinator of the Graduate Office, was nothing like the evil "margin lady" Noudehou had envisioned. Sanders is one of the two women that graduate students have affectionately dubbed the "margin ladies." They review the mechanical aspects of the paper to ensure that it adheres to the 12-page "Doctoral Dissertation Manual." Sanders carefully guided Noudehou, who now has a doctorate in English and is serving a one-year term as a visiting lecturer at Howard University in Washington, to her office where they finished the paperwork together. "The margin ladies are angels," Noudehou said. "After I finally turned in my dissertation with a late fee, I started to cry because they shook my hand and congratulated me for achieving my goal." Writing the dissertation and revising it to meet the standards of a graduate group chairperson, an adviser and a committee is only the beginning of the process of receiving a doctorate degree. For students seeking a doctorate, the margin ladies are both gatekeepers and nurturers. "When I think of finishing and finalizing my dissertation, the defining moment is not when my adviser approves, it is when the margin ladies say congratulations," said Roberta Stack, a Ph.D. candidate in the English Department. Sanders and her assistant, Catherine Hicks, have final say over the approval of all graduate papers, but their role is not as intimidating as it first appears. Despite rampant rumors that the duo is harsh, Sanders and Hicks maintain flawless accolades. Graduate students are welcomed into a cheerful yellow office that has classical music playing softly in the background. Lucky students who turn in their dissertation at noon can stride out of the office to "The Star-Spangled Banner," an office favorite. The room on the first floor in College Hall has belonged to Sanders for the two years she has held the position. "The graduate students are a select and wonderful group to work with," she explained. "I respect them for their stature of intellect, aggressive research techniques and how they are trying to benefit the world." Sanders said writing a dissertation can be a simple process -- regulations can be found in the back of the Vice President Graduate Catalogue. She said she treasures her highlighted and starred copy. "It is certainly our guideline," she said. Sanders said that she finds the most mistakes on the title page and in the 350-word abstract summary of the dissertations. With her soothing voice, Sanders explained that these problems can be easily fixed -- usually right in her office. "I want them to succeed," she said. "I do not want them to fail on the final hurdle." She explained that the average length of papers is 300 to 400 pages, although she has seen a few as long as 5,000. At least one copy needs to be printed on 100 percent cotton fiber paper, costing about 15 cents per page. The paper for an average dissertation could cost a student around $450. If a mistake is found and the red pen is brought out, all of the money may be for naught. The cotton fiber copy is then sent to the University Microfilming International in Michigan while the second copy is bound and kept on reserve in Van Pelt Library, where all students can access them. Usually, students work on their dissertations for at least four years. "God bless the graduate students," Sanders said. "By the time they receive their doctorate degree, they have definitely earned it." Sanders also mentioned how many students are hesitant to part with their dissertation. "I always tell them that this is only your first publication and that I'm looking forward to seeing many more," she added. Hicks, who has been working at the University for 23 years, has spent five years in the Graduate Office. "This is an unique office," she said. "We all work together so well." Hicks said there is actually a third margin lady, although she is no longer on active duty. Margaret Viggiano was the first to receive the notorious nickname after checking papers for 16 years. She is now the Assistant Dean for Admissions of the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences and plans to retire in December. "I love the job because the students are at a very happy time in their lives," said Viggiano. Students have brought their entire families in to witness the handing in of a dissertation. Many people have taken their pictures. Parents have even turned in their children's paper. Students have cried, laughed and sung and even presented the margin ladies with flowers and candy during their crowning moment. "The process of writing a dissertation can be long, lonely and frustrating, and I think the margin ladies put a human face of the end of that process," said Peter Parolin, a graduate student in the English Department.