Title: Conferral of Posthumous Degrees

Purpose: To establish the policy governing conferral of posthumous degrees for undergraduate and graduate students.

Policy:

Upon learning that a student has died, the Vice President for Student Affairs will consult with the Registrar, the major department, and, where appropriate, the Vice President for Graduate Studies to determine if the student is eligible for a posthumous degree. If the student possessed appropriate academic credentials; at the time of death, and the family wishes, the Dean of Students shall recommend that the University President authorize the posthumous issuance of the appropriate degree.

I. Undergraduate: Baccalaureate Degree Candidate

A. The Vice President of Student Affairs shall inquire of the University Registrar.

1. At the time of death, was the student officially enrolled?

2. Would the student have met all general education requirements for a degree, had s/he had the opportunity to complete the course work for which s/he was registered at the time of death?

B. If the answer to the two questions above is yes, the Registrar shall ask the student's major department(s) to evaluate the student's academic record and upon satisfactory completion of current course enrollment(s) would have satisfied all major course requirements as required by the major department(s).

C. If the major department does so certify, the Registrar shall enter final grades of "P" in classes in which the student was enrolled.

D. If all the above conditions are met, the Registrar shall notify the Vice President for Student Affairs, who shall consult with the President. At the President's direction, the Vice President for Student Affairs shall contact the deceased student's immediate family to determine whether the family is receptive to the University's granting a posthumous degree.

E. If affirmative, the President may then direct the Registrar to order the appropriate diploma, record the award of the degree, and arrange for the appropriate listing in the commencement program.

F. The President shall write a letter to the appropriate family member(s) announcing the honor of the posthumous degree and the date of the commencement ceremony at which the degree will be granted.

II. Graduate: Graduate Degree Candidate

A. The Vice President for Student Affairs shall inquire of the major department and Vice President for Graduate Studies whether the student, upon satisfactory completion of current course enrollments(s), would have satisfied requirements for the degree, and whether a thesis or dissertation would have been required for graduation.

B. If a thesis or dissertation would have been required, the Vice President of Graduate Studies shall consult with the chair and members of the thesis or dissertation committee to determine whether the student could have completed and defended the thesis or dissertation during the current term or semester. The Vice President of Graduate Studies shall be informed of the determination.

C. If the student reasonably could have completed all requirements for the degree, then the Vice President for Student Affairs shall proceed according to I.C. et seq. above.


Originally Implemented 2-10-71

Date: 6-3-92

Reviewed and Approval Recommended by: President's Policy Council

Enacted by University Assembly: 6-3-92

Reissued by: The President