Printed on: 04/09/2020. Please go to http://policy.umn.edu for the most current version of the Policy or related document.

Administrative Policy

Awarding Posthumous Degrees

Responsible University Officer(s):

Executive Vice President and Provost

Policy Owner(s):

Director, Office of the Registrar

Policy contact(s):

Susan Van Voorhis

Date Revised:

Mar 3, 2016

Effective Date:

Jun 1, 2003

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.

Procedures

Forms/Instructions

Appendices

Frequently Asked Questions

Contacts

Subject	Contact	Phone	Email
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 - Jason Tangquist	218-281-8424	umcreg@umn.edu 218-281-8549 (fax)
Degree Information	Duluth - Registrar	218-726-8887	umdreg@d.umn.edu
Degree Information	Morris - Marcus Muller	320-589-6011	mull0262@umn.edu
Degree Information	Rochester - Diane Douglas	507-258-8008	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.

Chief Academic Officer Assignments by Campus
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 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