AA/03/AS/25/UEPC - Posthumous Baccalaureate Degree Award Policy

Effective March 26, 2025

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor the memory of these students by conferring a posthumous baccalaureate degree, where applicable, as a recognition of their academic progress and dedication; and

WHEREAS, the awarding of a posthumous degree is a compassionate acknowledgment of the student’s achievements; and

WHEREAS, the policy should ensure that such decisions are made with thoughtful consideration and in accordance with the best interests of the deceased student, their family, and the academic integrity of the institution;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Academic Senate of CSU Stanislaus approves the following policy for the awarding of a posthumous baccalaureate degree:

POSTHUMOUS BACCALAUREATE DEGREE AWARD POLICY

PURPOSE

A posthumous baccalaureate degree may be awarded to a student, who, at the time of death, had complete a substantial portion of the requirements for graduation, defined as follows:

1. The student was enrolled at the university at the time of death, on an approved leave of absence, or was an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, federal military reserve forces, and/or National Guard.

The student meets the following conditions:

1.1 The student was within 15 semester units of completing the minimum number of semester units for their degree: or

1.2 The student satisfactorily completed at least 120 semester units of coursework and/or had completed at least 85% of all degree requirements and is in good standing; and

1.3 The student had a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all units used in calculating the grade point average.

2. Under exceptional circumstances, the President may, upon consideration of the recommendations of the faculty with the deceased student’s major or concentration, that College Dean, and the Provost, confer a posthumous bachelor’s degree to a student who, at the time of death, had not completed the requirements set forth above. The Department Chair and the Dean of the student’s major will be responsible for evaluating the request against the criteria above in consultation with the Registrar. If the request is granted, the Dean of Students will contact the deceased’s family to arrange for presenting the diploma.

3. Students who do not qualify for a posthumous bachelor’s degree may be awarded a Certificate of Achievement if the student was in good and had been enrolled at CSU Stanislaus within the past three semesters prior to their death. The approval process for the Certificate of Achievement is the same as for the posthumous degree.

RESOLVED, that this policy take effect upon approval by the President, and that the university administration shall ensure its implementation and dissemination to appropriate campus constituents.

RATIONALE: The purpose of the Posthumous Baccalaureate Degree Award Policy is to provide a compassionate and formalized process for recognizing the academic achievements of students who, due to unforeseen circumstances, are unable to complete their degree program prior to death. This policy aims to honor the memory and academic efforts of these students while ensuring fairness, consistency, and transparency in the decision-making process.

Review History: Approved by the Academic Senate on February 25, 2025

Approved by President Britt Rios-Ellis on March 26, 2025

University Educational Policies Committee Division has the primary responsibility for this policy.

Attachment(s): 03/AS/25/UEPC Posthumous Baccalaureate Degree Award Policy  

Schedule of Classes | University Bookstore