AWARD OF POSTHUMOUS DEGREES
Definition: University of Alaska Anchorage may confer posthumous transcripted degrees and
certificates upon students who are deceased prior to but nearing formal completion of all
degree requirements of the programs being pursued. Question> Does the policy go into the
catalog or just part of it? Which part of it?
A. Eligibility
To be eligible for the award of a University of Alaska Anchorage degree posthumously the
student generally must have met the following conditions:
1. At the time of death, the student was enrolled in a degree/certificate program, in
good academic standing, and nearing completion of the work required for award of
the degree/certificate. “Nearing completion” is defined as having completed a
minimum of 75% of the program credits?/requirements. In addition, for graduate
students in thesis/project programs, the student should have made significant
progress in the research/project process as determined by the student’s
committee.(could also say must have successfully submitted a proposal with all
committee signatures)
2. Recommendation for award of the degree/certificate is to be endorsed by the
following:
A) faculty in the student’s major department,
B) the department head, school or college dean/director
C) In the case of graduate students, the endorsement of the Dean of the Graduate
School is also required prior to sending to the Provost.
3. Final approval for awarding of posthumous degrees/certificates shall rest with the
Provost.
B. Approval Process
The process for identifying and considering candidates for the award of degrees
posthumously shall be as follows:
1. Upon request that a deceased student be considered for the award of a posthumous
degree/certificate VC of OAA will communicate this information to the appropriate
department, school or college dean/director.
2. The departmental faculty, department head and dean/director will determine if the
student’s overall record merits further consideration and recommendation that the
posthumous award be granted; such information will be jointly reviewed by the OAA
Draft Policy for award of Posthumous Degrees, 15 June 2011
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3. If the deceased student is determined to be eligible as a candidate for posthumous
award of the degree/certificate being pursued, the Vice Chancellor for OAA , will so
certify to the Provost.
4. After weighing all pertinent information, the Provost will communicate a decision to
posthumously confer a degree to the deceased student’s family, appropriate
dean/director, VC of OAA , Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and to the University
Registrar.
C. Awarding of Posthumous Degrees
Upon approval by the Provost the following procedure will be followed:
1. The degree/certificate will be conferred at the next regularly scheduled
commencement exercise.
2. The University Registrar will note the posthumous nature of the award on the
diploma, the student’s permanent record and in the commencement program.
D. Extraordinary Circumstances
Cases that do not meet the above specified criteria may be considered when extraordinary
circumstances prevail. In such cases, the appropriate faculty, department head,
dean/director, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, OAA and the Registrar will be consulted
prior to a recommendation being prepared for the Provost’s consideration.
Student dies
OAA receives request
Together OAA/dept
Determine eligibility
NO
YES
Dept/school notified
Dean/Director
Dean of Grad School
Provost
Draft Policy for award of Posthumous Degrees, 15 June 2011
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