To define the rights and permissions in thesis submission. 

Faculty, staff, and students.

The office of Graduate Education and Research determines theses submission requirements.

Upon submission, the submitter grants to Northern Michigan University and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible the thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, at the time of submission or hereafter known.  The submitter also agrees that the thesis may be made available immediately following approval for worldwide access unless an embargo applies.

The submitter retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the work as well as the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of the work.   The submitter retains the right to register the copyright to the work.