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Posthumous Degree (Policy 69)

Approved By:

President Elaine P. Maimon

Issued:

Revised:

Last Reviewed:

Related Policies:

Policy Owner / Contact Person:

Provost's Office, Registrar's Office

Additional References:

Policy Categories:

Academic Policies

  1. Purpose

    This policy establishes eligibility criteria and procedures for the awarding and recognition of a posthumous degree.

  2. Eligibility Criteria

    The student must have 

    1. been in good academic standing with the institution at the time of death; 
    2. met the university residency requirements; 
    3. been enrolled at the time of death or was on active-duty with the US Armed Forces, federal military reserve forces, or National Guard; and 
    4. satisfactorily completed 90% of degree requirements.
  3. Nomination/Approval
    1. A request to award a posthumous degree must be submitted to the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled in a program. 
    2. The dean will consult with the appropriate chair and program faculty. If the request is supported by the program faculty, the chair, and the dean, the dean will submit a recommendation to award a posthumous degree to the Provost. 
    3. The Provost will notify the Registrar to process the request.
  4. Posthumous Recognition
    1. The dean will inform the immediate family/friend of the University’s decision and will make arrangements with the Registrar to present/send the diploma to the designated person. 
    2. The statement “awarded posthumously” will be added in the comments on the student’s transcript. 
    3. If the student has financial debt to the University, this debt will be waived.