Awarding Posthumous Degrees

Degrees may be awarded posthumously to any student who, at the time of death, has completed the necessary work for a degree as outlined in this policy. Each university shall file guidelines in the office of the president for implementing this policy (SIU Board of Trustees Policies 1. 4. D. 1. c.).

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has established guidelines as follows for recommending the posthumous awarding of degrees (such guidelines were filed with the office of the Board of Trustees at the time the Board initially adopted the above policy on December 8, 1977).

1. Undergraduate
   An undergraduate degree may be awarded posthumously when the student has completed approximately 75% of the requirements of their degree program, is currently enrolled and/or actively pursuing the degree and is in good standing with the institution at the time of death. This determination rests with the dean of the degree-granting program [Approved by SIUC Faculty Senate February 12, 1974].
2. Graduate
   A graduate degree may be awarded posthumously when the student has completed approximately 75% of the requirements of their degree program, is currently enrolled and/or actively pursuing the degree and is in good standing with the institution at the time of death. For graduate degrees requiring a research project, thesis or dissertation, the student should have made substantial progress toward the completion of the above as supported by the student’s advisor and/or advisory committee. PhD students must have been admitted to candidacy. This determination rests with the Graduate Dean in consultation with the administrative officers and faculty of the degree program in which the student had been enrolled. [Approved by SIUC Graduate Council June 7,1974]

Nomination/Approval Process:

1. Anyone may identify a student for a posthumous degree. To begin the formal process, a request must be made to the Dean of the appropriate college. The Dean of the college in which the student was enrolled will recommend the student for a posthumous degree in the form of a formal written request to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The request must include the name and ID number of the student, the degree/program plan to be awarded, a copy of a completed graduation clearance form and the recommended semester for degree conferral.
2. If supported by the Provost, they will submit the recommendation to the Chancellor for formal approval. If supported by the Chancellor,
   
   1. The Chancellor will notify the Registrar’s office or the Graduate School via memo to begin the process for degree posting. The Registrar’s office will notify Events and Outreach for degree conferral arrangements.
   2. The immediate family will be informed of the University’s decision and desire to recognize their student with this honor.

1. The Registrar or the Graduate School will mail the diploma to a family member or, if preferred, provide it to the dean or another appropriate university official for presentation at a private gathering of the university, college and/or school’s choosing. Events and Outreach will assist in coordinating this setting and conferral.
2. A posthumous degree will be printed in the commencement program within the appropriate college section.
3. The statement “awarded posthumously” will be printed on the student’s academic record, but not on the diploma.

Exceptions: 

In special circumstances, an exception to the Posthumous Degree Policy may be made by the University Chancellor. Such requests should follow the process outlined here in the policy.