Posthumous Degree Policy
Adopted by Murray State University Board of Regents on June 7, 2024
Printable document: Board of Regents Policy Manual – Section 1.8 - Posthumous Degree Policy
Policy Statement:
The University may award a degree posthumously in recognition of a student who is near completion of their degree and passes away prior to meeting the requirements of the degree. The family of the deceased student and the campus community may find comfort in recognition of the achievements of the student by the conferral of a degree. This policy authorizes the awarding of a posthumous degree.
Undergraduate
A posthumous degree may be awarded to a deceased student who did not satisfy all degree requirements provided that such student was (1) in good standing the last semester attended, (2) made substantial progress toward the degree, and (3) is approved by the Provost and President.
Graduate
A posthumous degree may be awarded to a deceased student who did not satisfy all degree requirements provided that the student was (1) in good standing the last semester attended, (2) was within 12 credit hours of graduation, and (3) is approved by the Dean, Provost and President.
The Registrar is responsible for documenting conferral of the degree upon approval by the Board of Regents, and will issue the diploma. The Dean may approve additional letters or written acknowledgements as appropriate.
Procedure for Posthumous Degree Policy:
The University procedure for conferral of the Posthumous Degree is as follows:
- Upon notification from the family, the Advisor or Chair of the student’s home department and the Dean are contacted. The Dean contacts the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs who informs the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management to ensure continuity of contact with the family.
- The student is recommended for a Posthumous Degree by the Chair of the student’s major/area department. If the student has not declared a major/area, the Advisor will make the recommendation to the supervisor and then to the appropriate Vice President.
- The Dean then provides a written request to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee. If there are particular activities the student was involved in or with, the written request should include such information.
- The Provost or designee will forward the request to the President, along with any documentation, for approval.
- Upon approval of the President, the student’s family will be contacted by an academic officer as designated the Provost.
- Upon approval by the President, the student is listed as a candidate in the next Commencement program. Approval of the Posthumous Degree is granted through the Board of Regents with other degree candidates at the appropriate Board meeting.
Process for Commencement:
The Registrar’s Office will, with the approval of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, select a liaison to assist the family prior to and through the Commencement ceremony. The student’s family will be asked to identify one or two representatives to receive the diploma during the Commencement ceremony. If the family is attending other graduation events (pinning, hooding, etc.), then the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management will be notified about the events. A framed diploma may be provided by the home department or college/school.