11.08.99.J1 Awarding of Posthumous Degrees

Rule

1. CRITERIA FOR AWARDING POSTHUMOUS DEGREES

The awarding of a Posthumous Degree or an In Memoriam Degree is at the discretion of the Provost of A&M-Victoria; these awards may be made for undergraduate or graduate degrees. This may occur when a student has substantially completed all requirements for the degree, was enrolled in an academic program, and was in good standing at the time of death. In addition:

1.1 Posthumous Baccalaureate Degree: The student was within 12 hours of completing degree requirements or on track to graduate at the end of the semester of their death. The posthumous degree will be awarded with any academic honors (e.g., Magna Cum Laude) for which the undergraduate student was eligible at the time of their death.

1.2 Posthumous Graduate Degree: The student was within two courses of completing their degree requirements or on track to graduate at the end of the semester of their death.

2. CRITERIA FOR AWARDING IN MEMORIAM DEGREES

In Memoriam degrees may be awarded to undergraduate or graduate students regardless of their progress toward degree completion. The award recognizes the student’s connection to the university at the time of their death. Academic honors are not awarded with In Memoriam Degrees.

3. PROCEDURE

3.1 A formal request may be initiated by a family member, designated representative, or the Dean of the student’s academic college. If the request is not made by a family member, the family must be contacted to confirm their receptiveness to the award.

3.1.1 Family Request – A family member or designated representative may initiate the process by submitting a written request to the Office of the Registrar and Student Records (ORSR). ORSR will review the request and the student’s academic  records to determine eligibility for a Posthumous degree or an In Memoriam degree. A recommendation will then be forwarded to the dean of the student’s college for approval. Upon the dean’s approval, a formal request—including the student’s name, degree, and proposed awarding term—will be submitted to the provost for final consideration.

3.1.2 College Recommendation – Upon notification of the passing of a current or recently enrolled student, the college will inform ORSR. ORSR will review the student academic records to determine eligibility for a Posthumous degree or an In Memoriam degree. A recommendation will then be forwarded to the Dean of the student’s college for approval. Upon the Dean’s approval, a formal request—including the student’s name, degree, and proposed awarding term—will be submitted to the Provost for final consideration.

3.2 Provost Approval – If the Provost approves the request; written notification will be provided to the student’s college and the registrar. The family of the recipient will also be notified.

3.3 Registrar Responsibilities

• • • For a posthumous degree: The Office of the Registrar and Student Records will order an official diploma. The document will bear the standard degree citation, and “Degree Awarded Posthumously” will be noted on the academic transcript and diploma.
    • For an In Memoriam degree: The Office of the Registrar and Student Records will prepare a diploma-like certificate. No citation will be noted on the transcript.
    • Obtain a diploma cover from the special events department.
    • The document will be released to the student’s family or designated representative unless they choose to participate in commencement. In that case, all materials will be provided to the Commencement Team in the Provost’s Office.

3.4 Commencement Participation – If the family wishes to attend the commencement ceremony, arrangements will be facilitated through the Commencement Team in the Provost’s Office.

A family representative may process across the stage, with their name announced as: “[Representative’s Name], on behalf of [Student’s Name], awarded posthumously.” OR “[Representative’s Name], on behalf of [Student’s Name], awarded In Memoriam.”