Posthumous Degree Policy

Policy Statement

This policy outlines the criteria and procedures for awarding posthumous degrees to students who pass away before completing their academic programs. It ensures compassionate recognition of academic achievement while maintaining academic integrity.

Purpose/Scope

To determine criteria when SUNY Brockport is asked to bestow academic recognition posthumously to a deceased student who did not complete degree requirements and who did not meet the prescribed criteria for an honorary degree.

Applicability

This policy applies to all matriculated students at SUNY Brockport across all academic levels (baccalaureate, graduate/professional, and doctoral) who pass away prior to completing their degree requirements, are in good academic standing, and meet eligibility criteria as listed below under Policy Procedures.

This policy also applies to individuals and entities involved in the request and approval process, including:

• Family members, survivors, or legal representatives of the deceased student, who may request the award of a posthumous degree.
• Campus representatives, who may initiate a request with the required consent from a family member, survivor, or legal representative.
• Academic departments and administrative offices, responsible for verifying eligibility, academic standing, and completion progress.
• The President or Provost, who may approve exceptions to the stated criteria.

This policy ensures that no additional restrictive criteria — such as time limits for submission — are imposed, and that alternate honors may be considered for students who do not meet the criteria and for whom an exception is not granted.

Definitions

Posthumous Degree — An academic degree awarded after a student’s death, recognizing the academic work completed and honoring the student’s commitment to their education.

Good Academic Standing — A status indicating that the student was meeting the academic requirements of their program at the time of their passing, including GPA and progress toward degree completion.

• Bachelor’s degree candidate: ≥2.0 overall Brockport GPA.
• Master’s or doctorate degree candidate: ≥ 3.0 overall Brockport GPA.

Good Conduct Standing — A status indicating that the student was not under disciplinary action or sanction for violations of the student code of conduct at the time of their passing.

Latin Honors — Academic distinctions (e.g., cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) awarded based on GPA and other criteria, which may also be granted posthumously if the student qualifies.

Policy Procedures

To initiate the process, the deceased student’s family, spouse, significant other, or a SUNY Brockport faculty or staff member, with agreement from the student’s family, may request this recognition by submitting a written request to the student’s Academic Department Chairperson. In such a circumstance, the Academic Department Chairperson will review the request, make a recommendation, and forward it on for approval to the appropriate Dean, as well as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and President. If approved, and provided the deceased student had met the requirements, SUNY Brockport will confer a degree.

Initiation of Request

• A request for a posthumous degree may be initiated by a family member, survivor, or legal representative of the deceased student by submitting a written request to the student’s Academic Department Chairperson.
• A campus representative may also initiate the request, but must obtain consent from a family member, survivor, or legal representative before submitting a written request to the student’s Academic Department Chairperson.

Eligibility Criteria

• Verification that the student is deceased.
• The student must have been in good academic and conduct standing at the time of their passing.
• Extenuating circumstances related to the student’s passing that may have impacted their standing will be considered.

Credit Completion Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree candidates: Minimum of 60 completed credits toward the degree, with at least 15 credits completed at SUNY Brockport.
• Graduate/Professional Degree: Substantial completion of degree requirements, as determined by the campus.
• Doctorate Degree: Passed qualifying examination(s), as applicable, and made tangible progress toward completion of approved research or capstone requirement.

Latin or Alternate Honors

• Latin honors may be awarded with a posthumous degree if the student qualifies.
• Alternate honors may be considered for students who do not meet the criteria and for whom an exception is not approved.

Restrictions and Exceptions

• Additional restrictive criteria will not be imposed, such as requiring the request to be submitted within a specific time frame.
• The President, or the Provost as their designee, may approve exceptions for cases that do not meet the above criteria.

Satisfaction of Request

• The Academic Department Chairperson will review the request, make a recommendation, and forward it on for approval to the appropriate Dean, as well as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and President.
• The diploma will be issued in the standard format and provided at no charge to the family.
• The transcript will be issued in accordance with campus protocol to ensure the award is not counted in reporting to SUNY or external agencies (e.g., IPEDS), and will also be provided at no charge.

Links to Related Procedures and Information

SUNY Memorandum: Posthumous Degree Policy

Contact Information

Senior Vice Provost

History (in descending order)

Item	Date	Explanation
Next Review Date	2030-09-08	Five-year review
Revision Date	2025-09-08	Policy revised throughout, per SUNY requirement
Adoption Date	2020-06-10	Policy Adopted
Draft Review Date	2020-05-04	Draft Policy under 30-day Campus Review

Approval

This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on 2025-09-08