Policy Statement
Augusta University (“AU”) recognizes that, on rare occasions, a student may die prior to the completion of a degree for which he/she was enrolled. This policy allows AU to recognize the achievements of the deceased student and award the student a degree posthumously. This policy outlines the process for determining the criteria for awarding the posthumous degree.
A posthumous degree may be awarded to a student enrolled or eligible for continued enrollment at the time of death prior to completion of all requirements for the degree. For an undergraduate level degree, the student should have completed 75% of the requirements for the degree and must have a cumulative 2.0 grade point average. For a graduate level degree, the student should have completed 75% of course work without any “D” or “F” grades, and must have been in good academic standing. For research-based graduate programs, the student should have been admitted to degree candidacy, should have completed a substantial amount of required research, and must be recommended by the appropriate thesis advisory committee. All academic degree programs are eligible.
Affected stakeholders
All entities and persons within the Enterprise that are affected by this policy:
Graduate Students, Health Professional Students, Undergraduate Students
Policy Owner
Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs
Definitions
Posthumous degree: A degree awarded after death.
Process & procedures
The faculty may recommend to a department or program chair that such a degree be considered for award. The chair may recommend on behalf of the faculty to the Dean the student be awarded a posthumous degree. The Dean may recommend in writing to the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs & Provost that the student be awarded a posthumous degree. Determination of award will rest with the Provost and President.
All academic degree programs are eligible.
The degree may be given at commencement or a hooding or awards ceremony within the college and will read “degree awarded posthumously.”
The program at graduation will read “degree awarded posthumously.”
References & supporting documents
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Related policies
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Approved by
President, Augusta University and CEO, AU Health System Date: February 27, 2017
Last Revision: January 23, 2017 Last Review: February 27, 2017