The motion for establishing a policy on posthumous degrees consists of two parts: A –
published language for the Undergraduate Catalog. B. Catalog copy plus procedures to be
put into the Faculty Handbook, or other such appropriate location.
A. Addition to Undergraduate Catalog
AWARD OF POSTHUMOUS DEGREES
A posthumous baccalaureate degree may be conferred upon a student who dies prior to
but close to completion of all requirements of the degree being pursued. The University
of North Carolina Wilmington awards such degrees in recognition of the academic
achievement of the deceased student. In doing so it acknowledges the loss to the
university, family and friends and extends to them the opportunity to share in the
academic success of the deceased student.
To be eligible for the award of a posthumous degree, the student generally must have met
the following conditions:
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•
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At the time of death, the student was enrolled in his/her senior year.
The student was in good academic and disciplinary standing and was successfully
progressing toward completion of requirements for the degree to be awarded. In
particular, at the time of death the student had a 2.0 GPA or better, was within 15
credit hours of completion of all requirements or in the final term of completion
of all their requirements, and had satisfied at least 20 hours of the residency
requirement.
The student must have declared a major and completed at least one half of the
requirements for the major that will be recorded on the diploma.
Recommendation for award of the degree was made by the faculty in the student's
major department, and approved by the department head, school or college dean,
Provost, and Chancellor.
Exceptions to these guidelines may be made when the student's death occurred during or
as a result of participation in university-sponsored activities, or when chronic illness
prevented current enrollment
B. Addition to Faculty Handbook
AWARD OF POSTHUMOUS DEGREES
A posthumous baccalaureate degree may be conferred upon a student who dies prior to
but close to completion of all requirements of the degree being pursued. The University
of North Carolina Wilmington awards such degrees in recognition of the academic
achievement of the deceased student. In doing so it acknowledges the loss to the
university, family and friends and extends to them the opportunity to share in the
academic success of the deceased student.
To be eligible for the award of a posthumous degree, the student generally must have met
the following conditions:
•
•
•
•
At the time of death, the student was enrolled in his/her senior year.
The student was in good academic and disciplinary standing and was successfully
progressing toward completion of requirements for the degree to be awarded. In
particular, at the time of death the student had a 2.0 GPA or better, was within 15
credit hours of completion of all requirements or in the final term of completion
of all their requirements, and had satisfied at least 20 hours of the residency
requirement.
The student must have declared a major and completed at least one half of the
requirements for the major that will be recorded on the diploma.
Recommendation for award of the degree was made by the faculty in the student's
major department, and approved by the department head, school or college dean,
Provost, and Chancellor.
Exceptions to these guidelines may be made when the student's death occurred during or
as a result of participation in university-sponsored activities, or when chronic illness
prevented current enrollment
Approval Process
The process for identifying and considering candidates for the award of degrees
posthumously shall be as follows:
1. Upon learning of the death of a University of North Carolina Wilmington
student, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will notify the relevant dean.
2. The dean shall ascertain the academic and disciplinary standing of the student.
The dean’s office will work with the department chair. The departmental faculty,
department head and dean will determine if the student's overall record merits
further consideration and recommendation that the posthumous award be
granted; such information will be communicated to the Provost.
3. The Provost will weigh all information relating to each case independently and
will prepare a recommendation to the Chancellor, who will determine if the
degree is to be awarded.
4. The Chancellor’s Office will notify the Registrar.
Awarding of Posthumous Degrees
Upon approval by the Chancellor, the following procedure will be followed:
1. The family of the deceased will be notified of the approval.
2. The degree will be conferred a future commencement exercise.
a. Names of all recipients of posthumous degrees will be listed separately,
along with degree and major, in the commencement program.
b. Special recognition of these students will be made by the Chancellor just
prior to the individual recognition of all degree candidates present at the
ceremony.
c. Families who choose to attend commencement activities will be provided
reserved seating and the Chancellor will note their presence as he or she
recognizes the posthumous degree recipients.
3. The posthumous nature of the award will be indicated on the diploma, the
student's permanent record and in the commencement program.
4. If the major department does so certify, the Registrar shall enter final grades of
"P" in classes in which the student was enrolled.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Cases that do not meet the above specified criteria may be considered when extraordinary
circumstances prevail. For example, the student died while carrying out a heroic deed, or
while performing outstanding service to the University or community, or after having
completed an outstanding academic record, piece of original research, or creative project;
and other exceptional cases. In such cases, the appropriate faculty, department head,
dean, and the Provost will be consulted prior to a recommendation being prepared for the
Chancellor’s consideration.