Policy

Background

A deceased student may be considered for a posthumous degree whether or not s/he was currently enrolled at the time of death. These guidelines are considerations for the awarding of Posthumous Degrees; they are not meant to be exhaustive nor absolute, as each request is considered on its own merits.

Considerations

1. The student was in good academic standing with Miami at the time of death. Good standing is defined as not being on academic probation, continued probation, suspension or dismissal.
2. The student did not have a record of misconduct that resulted in suspension or dismissal.
3. The student’s major and degree for the posthumous degree have been officially declared on the academic record at the time of death.
4. The student is enrolled at time of death (winter and summer terms excluded), or their continuous enrollment was interrupted by their injury, illness, deployment, etc.
5. The dean of the academic division of the student recommends the awarding of a posthumous degree to the Provost.

Nomination/Approval Process

1. Anyone may identify a candidate for a posthumous degree, but a subsequent recommendation must be made by a University official to the dean of the appropriate academic division or the Provost for consideration and to begin the formal process.
2. The Provost shall request that the student’s academic record be reviewed by the University Registrar to verify academic degree and major and satisfactory progress toward degree completion.
3. The request must include the name and Banner ID of the student, the degree/major to be awarded, and the recommended graduation date for degree conferral. The posthumous degree may not be awarded for a prior term. The Provost may choose to present this to the Council of Academic Deans for review/discussion.
4. The Provost will notify the University Registrar to begin the process for degree posting and commencement proceedings, if applicable.
5. The Provost will inform the immediate family of the University’s decision and desire to recognize their student with this honor (this process should be kept confidential until and unless approved at all levels). If the family desires to represent the student and receive the diploma at a Commencement ceremony, this must be relayed to the President’s Office for planning.

Additional Information

1. A posthumous degree will be printed in the Commencement program within the appropriate academic division section unless explicitly requested otherwise by the family, provided publication deadlines can be met.
2. The statement "awarded posthumously" will be noted on the student’s academic record and transcript, but not on the diploma.
3. The graduation application fee for the degree is waived.

Related Form(s)

Not applicable.

Additional Resources and Procedures

Not applicable.

FAQ

Not applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officers

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

No

Recent Revision History

New July 2021

Reference ID(s)

Reviewing Bodies

• Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Miami University Senate