Granting and Awarding Degrees Posthumously

PURPOSE:  To identify the circumstances and criteria for granting a posthuomous degree

GENERAL: Tarleton State University may award a graduate or undergraduate degree posthumously when a student has substantially completed all requirements for the degree and was in good academic standing at the time of death.

Degrees awarded posthumously will be noted on the commencement program and a member of the deceased student's family will be permitted to participate in the commencement in which the deceased student is recognized.

Granting and Awarding Degrees Posthumously Procedure

PURPOSE:  To identify the circumstances and criteria for granting a posthuomous degree

1. CONDITIONS:

A. Bachelor's Degree

1.  The student should be enrolled at Tarleton State University in the semester in which the degree would have been conferred.

In the case of summer graduation, enrollment in the first summer term meets this requirement.  If the student lacked only one summer term to complete his/her degree but was not enrolled during the first term, anticipated enrollment during the second term would be judged as fulfilling the enrollment requirement.

2. In each case the degree requirements would have been completed during the semester in which the student's death occurred.

3.  The student's grade point average would have to be a minimum of a two on a four point scale.

4.  The degree would be awarded only upon the recommendation of the student's major department chair and the approval of the department's faculty.

B. Master's Degree

1.  Enrollment requirements would be the same as set forth in Section A(1) above unless the student were writing a thesis.
2.  If the student were writing a thesis, all course work must have been completed with passing grades.  Substantial progress toward the completion of the thesis should have been made.
3.  The student would have to have a grade point average of three on a four point scale for his/her graduate work.
4.  The degree would be awarded only upon the recommendation of the student's major department chair, the graduate dean, and approval by the department's graduate faculty.

A.  The department head of a student who is enrolled in courses which would fulfill degree requirements at the time of death, should present the academic record and recommendation for awarding the degree to the college dean.

B.  If the dean concurs with the recommendation tath a degree be awarded posthumously, the dean should forward the recommendation in writing, along with supporting documentation to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

C.  The Vice President for Academic Affairs will transmit to the Registrar the file and request a review.  The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will make a recommendation to the President.

D.  The President makes the final decision on the posthumouse awarding of the degree and notifies the Registrar through the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.