“Why are we conservatives so happy to abandon our property ownership principles when it helps us “get” the other side?”
You are correct. Point taken. However if someone runs for President of the United States of America it should be understood that their life will be reviewed under a microscope, as it should be. But if she sued the website to win royalties for her work I believe she might have a case. I’d pay a royalty fee just for the chance to read a certified copy of her thesis. Intel costs sometimes.
The real question is whether she owns it, or her professor.
A lot of times your thesis won’t be yours, but will be owned by the school, or jointly.