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Posthumous Degree Awarding Policy

Policy Information

Policy Number Policy Owner
1025.1.P Provost/VP of Academic Affairs

 

  • 7.0 Procedures
    1. The President’s Office will designate a campus official to serve as the posthumous degree coordinator. This individual will oversee and administer all aspects of the process, including the functions below:
    2. A request for a posthumous degree may be initiated by a family member, survivor, or legal representative of the student. A campus representative may also initiate a request; however, the posthumous degree coordinator or designee must obtain written consent from a family member, survivor, or legal representative.
    3. The posthumous degree coordinator or designee will verify the student’s death through public records or by obtaining appropriate documentation (e.g., death certificate) from the family member, survivor or legal representative.
    4. The student must have been in good academic and conduct standing at the time of their death. Consideration may be given to extenuating circumstances related to the student's death that may have impacted their standing.
    5. SUNY Plattsburgh may only offer posthumous degrees of the level of degrees we offer at the time of the request, and in the degree the student was enrolled in. The following minimum thresholds must be met (for all degree levels including degree levels we may not presently offer):
      1. Associate: minimum of 30 credits toward the degree, with at least 6 credits completed at SUNY Plattsburgh
      2. Baccalaureate: minimum of 60 credits toward the degree, with at least 6 credits completed at SUNY Plattsburgh.
      3. Graduate/Professional: substantial completion of the degree requirements, as determined by the campus, with at least 6 credits completed at SUNY Plattsburgh.
      4. Doctorate: Successful completion of qualifying examination(s), where applicable and demonstrated progress toward the dissertation, research, or equivalent capstone requirement.

      6. These requirements are established in alignment with SUNY policy and shall not impose additional restrictive criteria beyond those permitted by SUNY.

    6. Latin honors may be awarded if the student’s GPA at SUNY Plattsburgh, based on completed coursework at SUNY Plattsburgh, meets institutional thresholds. Honors will be calculated based on the GPA of completed credits at SUNY Plattsburgh.
    7. The diploma will be issued in the standard institutional format, and provided at no cost to the family.
    8. The transcript will be issued in accordance with campus protocol. The posthumous degree designation will not be included in official reporting to SUNY or external agencies (e.g., IPEDS). Transcripts will be provided at no cost to the family.
    9. The SUNY Plattsburgh President, or Provost as designee, may approve exceptions in cases that do not fully meet the above criteria outlined above.
    10. In cases where a posthumous degree is not appropriate or approved, the President may authorize an alternative form of institutional recognition.
    11. All policy exceptions must be approved by the President.

For additional information about this policy, please contact the policy owner listed above.

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