University Policies

File Code: PRO.POSTHUM.POL
Approval Date: 3/30/2017
Approved By: President

Awarding of Posthumous Degrees

Eligibility Criteria

Student must have met all criteria for Western Illinois University at the time of death;

  1. Been currently enrolled or actively pursuing the degree;
  2. Been in good academic standing with the institution;
  3. Met the university residency requirements;
  4. Had at least a 2.0 cumulative, major and minor GPA (undergraduate) or at least a 3.0 cumulative and major GPA (graduate);
  5. Satisfactorily completed 75% of degree and credit hour requirements.

Nomination/Approval

  1. Upon learning of the death of a student who may meet the criteria above, the Student Development Office will notify the Registrar’s Office (undergraduate) or Graduate Studies (graduate) to determine the student’s eligibility for the posthumous degree.
  2. If the student meets the stated criteria for the posthumous degree, the Registrar’s Office or Graduate Studies will send a written recommendation to the Provost.
  3. If the student has not met all of the requirements of their major, the Registrar’s Office or Graduate Studies will request a letter from the department chair and college dean indicating whether or not they support the request. If the request is supported, the letter must note that any remaining credits required for the major are waived.
  4. The letters from the major department chair and dean will be forwarded to the Provost with the recommendation from the Registrar’s Office or Graduate Studies.

Posthumous Recognition

  1. The Registrar’s Office or Graduate Studies will be notified of the Provost’s decision regarding awarding the posthumous degree. The decision will also be communicated to the Student Development Office. If the posthumous degree has been approved, the Student Development Office will contact the student’s family to offer the awarding of the degree (diploma).
  2. If the family does not wish for the degree to be awarded, no degree shall be awarded.
  3. If the family does wish for the degree to be awarded:
    1. The Registrar’s Office or Graduate Studies will add the student’s name with the posthumous designation to the graduation lists and commencement program associated with the term the degree will be awarded, provided that the deadline for publication has not passed.
    2. The degree audit coordinator will prepare the diploma to be provided to the student’s family and the diploma will note that the degree was awarded posthumously.
    3. The degree will be posted on the student’s transcript using the example templates below:

BACHELOR OF ARTS
DEGREE GRANTED: MAY 13, 2017
MAJOR: JOURNALISM
MINOR; BROADCASTING
DEGREE CONFERRED POSTHUMOUSLY

MASTER OF SCIENCE
DEGREE GRANTED: MAY 13, 2017
MAJOR: COMPUTER SCIENCE
DEGREE CONFERRED POSTHUMOUSLY