Awarding Posthumous Degrees
Responsible University Officer(s):
- Executive Vice President and Provost
Policy Owner(s):
- Director, Office of the Registrar
- Susan Van Voorhis
Date Revised:
Effective Date:
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 | Susan Van Voorhis | 612-625-8098 | 612-626-1754 (fax) |
| Policy Information | Stacey Tidball | 612-626-0075 | tidball@umn.edu |
| Degree Information | Crookston - Ken Myers | 218-281-8548 | umcreg@umn.edu 218-281-8549 (fax) |
| Degree Information | Duluth - Registrar | 218-726-8887 | umdreg@d.umn.edu |
| Degree Information | Morris - Judy Korn | 320-589-6011 | kornjr@morris.umn.edu |
| Degree Information | Rochester - Jenny Casper | 507-258-8242 | umrregistrar@r.umn.edu |
DEFINITIONS
- Posthumous:
- Following or occurring after one's death.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Registrar
-
- Notify departments and colleges of this policy.
- Establish individual campus procedures for recording the posthumous degree.
- Post the degree to the student’s record.
- Work with the department or college to facilitate appropriate presentation of the degree at the next commencement ceremony or presentation to the student’s family in an appropriate setting.
- 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 posthumous degree granting for diploma. Send a copy of the request and approval to the Registrar, and place a copy in the student’s file.
- Contact the Office of the Registrar to determine the correct information for posting the degree and issuing the diploma.
- 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 posthumous degree granting for diploma. Send a copy of the request and approval to the Registrar, and place a copy in the student’s file.
- Contact the Office of the Registrar to determine the correct information for posting the degree and issuing the diploma.
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 Student Development
RELATED INFORMATION
There is no related information associated with this policy.
HISTORY
- 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