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Posthumous Degrees

Students who die during their academic programs may be awarded posthumous degrees.

  1. The request to award a posthumous degree may be initiated by the decedent’s family, the student's major department/school/program area/college, or the President.
  2. The CAO, in consultation with the Dean of Students, shall determine whether the student had made reasonable progress toward degree completion and did not have a record of significant disciplinary incident(s).
  3. If, based on the consultation in (2), a decision is made to award a posthumous degree, the Dean of Students shall determine support for the decedent's family. Should the family indicate support, the CAO shall communicate the decision to the Registrar, who shall order the appropriate diploma and arrange for the decedent to be listed in the first available commencement program.
  4. The Registrar shall send notice of the posthumous degree award to the President, the CAO, the Dean of Students, and the decedent’s major department/school/program area and college.
  5. The President shall write a letter to the decedent’s family announcing the posthumous degree and the date of the commencement ceremony at which the degree shall be awarded.