
Awarding Posthumous Degrees
- Executive Vice President and Provost
- Associate Vice Provost and University Registrar
- Stacey Tidball
Policy Statement
The University may grant undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees posthumously. If a college determines that a deceased student has completed sufficient coursework to be awarded a degree, the college (Twin Cities only) or chief academic officer (or designee) on each system campus has the authority to grant the degree posthumously. Graduate students must have completed enough work toward the thesis or dissertation, if required for the degree.
Reason for Policy
To recognize the academic achievement of students who have died, and to empower colleges and vice chancellors to award degrees posthumously where the student has completed enough of the planned degree program.
Contacts
Subject | Contact | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Primary Contact | Stacey Tidball | 612-626-0075 | tidball@umn.edu |
Crookston Contact | Jason Tangquist | 218-281-8424 | umcreg@umn.edu 218-281-8549 (fax) |
Duluth Contact | Carla Boyd | 218-726-8887 | umdreg@d.umn.edu |
Morris Contact | Marcus Muller | 320-589-6011 | mull0262@umn.edu |
Rochester Contact | Diane Douglas | 507-258-8008 | umrregistrar@r.umn.edu |
Definitions
- Posthumous:
- Following or occurring after one's death.
Responsibilities
- Office of the Registrar
- Post the degree to the student’s record.
- Work with the department or college to facilitate appropriate presentation of the degree to the student’s family.
- College (Twin Cities)
- In consultation with the academic department of the degree, determine if posthumous degree should be awarded.
- Notify the Office of the Registrar of the request and approval to issue a posthumous degree.
- Facilitate appropriate presentation of the degree.
- As a courtesy, notify the Executive Vice President and Provost of the awarding of the posthumous degree.
- Collegiate Office (Crookston, Duluth, Morris & Rochester)
- In consultation with the academic department of the degree, make a request of the campus Chief Academic Officer that the degree be awarded.
- Chief Academic Officer (Crookston, Duluth, Morris & Rochester)
- In consultation with the college requesting the posthumous degree, determine if posthumous degree should be awarded.
- Notify the Office of the Registrar of the request and approval to issue a posthumous degree.
Campus | Chief Academic Officer |
---|---|
Crookston | Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs |
Duluth | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs |
Morris | Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs |
Rochester | Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Innovation |
Related Information
There is no related information associated with this policy.
History
- Amended:
- April 2020 - Comprehensive review, minor revision. Simplifies responsibilities.
- Amended:
- March 2016 - Comprehensive Review, Minor Revision. Administrative Procedure: Requesting a Posthumous Degree incorporated into the Responsibilities section of the policy. Minor wording changes to Statement and Reason.
- Reviewed:
- September 2011 - Comprehensive Review.
- Amended:
- April 2008 - Updated contacts section. Added definitions for "Posthumous" and "Eligible Student". "Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs" changed to "Chief academic officer" in responsiblities section. Additional edits made to clarify policy, but not to change meaning.
- Effective:
- June 2003
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