Policy Statement
Under certain circumstances, °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ may award a degree posthumously to a matriculated student who dies prior to the completion of degree requirements. Posthumous degrees may be awarded in accordance with State University of New York system-wide policy and applicable campus procedures.
Rationale
This policy establishes clear, equitable, and compassionate criteria and procedures for awarding posthumous degrees at °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ, consistent with °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ Board of Trustees authorization and State law.
Applicability of the Policy
This policy applies to all matriculated °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Policy Elaboration
Eligibility Criteria
A posthumous degree may be awarded when all of the following conditions are met:
- Request or Consent
- A request for a posthumous degree must be initiated by a family member, survivor, or legal representative of the deceased student; or
- A campus representative may initiate the request, provided the campus obtains consent from a family member, survivor, or legal representative.
- Verification of Death
- The University must verify the student’s death through appropriate documentation.
- Academic and Conduct Standing
- The student must have been in good academic and conduct standing at the time of death.
- Extenuating circumstances directly related to the student’s passing may be considered if standing was affected.
- Minimum Academic Progress
°Ç¸çºÚÁÏ applies the minimum progress requirements consistent with °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ limits.- Bachelor’s Degree: A minimum of 60 credits earned toward the degree, including at least 6 credits completed at °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ.
- Graduate/Professional Degree: Substantial completion of degree requirements, as determined by the academic program.
- Honors
- Latin honors may be awarded with a posthumous degree when GPA criteria are met.
- Restrictions
- The University shall not impose additional restrictive criteria, including time limitations for submitting a request.
- Exceptions
- The President, or the Provost as designee, may approve exceptions in cases that do not fully meet the criteria outlined above.
- Alternate Recognition
- The University may consider alternate forms of recognition when a posthumous degree is not approved, or criteria are not met.
Definitions
Not applicable.
Procedures
- Initiation and Review
- Upon receipt of a request (or consent, if initiated by the University), the academic department shall review the student’s academic record.
- The chair of the student’s major shall submit a written recommendation to the Provost.
- Approval
- Final approval of a posthumous degree rests with the President or the Provost as designee.
- Issuance of Diploma and Transcript
- The diploma shall be issued in the standard format and provided to the family at no charge.
- The student’s transcript shall reflect that the degree was awarded posthumously, in accordance with campus protocol, and at no charge to the family.
- Posthumous degrees shall not be included in institutional reporting to °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ or external agencies (e.g., IPEDS).
Forms
There are no related forms at this time.
Contacts
Questions related to the daily operational interpretation of this policy should be directed to:
Registrar’s Office
(607) 436-2531
registrar@oneonta.edu
Related Documents / Policies
- °Ç¸çºÚÁÏ Policy and Guidance: Posthumous Degrees (July 18, 2025)
Effective Dates
- Original policy approved by the President: May 7, 2002
- Revised policy approved: May 2026