Awarding Posthumous Citations

Purpose

This policy establishes the eligibility for and process to award a Posthumous Citation and standardizes the approach across colleges such that all students are recognized in a consistent manner.

Scope

This policy applies to the campus community, including all university employees, agents, and students.

Authority

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Policy

The University may award a Posthumous Citation through the Office of the Dean of Students within one year of the death of a student who had been enrolled in coursework. The Office of the Dean of Students reserves the right to withhold Posthumous Citations for students who engaged in a course of conduct that significantly endangered the health or safety of others or who were not in good standing at the time of death.

Definitions

Posthumous Citation: A formal non-degree recognition of the student’s time with the university and academic focus represented by their major(s) and minor.

Processes/Procedures/Guidelines

Members of the university community who become aware of the death of a student should notify the Office of the Dean of Students.

Awarding of Posthumous Citations for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students is initiated by the Office of the Dean of Students.

The Office of the Dean of Students establishes eligibility and provides the list of students known to the Office of the Dean of Students who will be awarded a Posthumous Citation to the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for ordering the Posthumous Citation.

Posthumous Citations are distributed to the families of deceased students at the annual student memorial, generally held in the fall semester of each academic year. In the absence of a family member’s attendance, the citation will be mailed. The exact date and nature of the ceremony is determined by the Office of the Dean of Students.

Departmental representatives and the broader campus community will be invited to attend the memorial.

Exceptions

Students who have potentially completed their degree requirements are reviewed by the academic unit in which they were enrolled in consideration of the awarding of their degree rather than the citation.

Contact

Office of the Dean of Students