- A request for the awarding of a posthumous degree may be initiated by the deceased student’s family. The request is made to the President or Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA).
- The registrar will review the student’s record to determine whether the student has met the following criteria:
- Student was in good academic standing.
- Student was without any outstanding disciplinary issues.
- Student’s cause of death was not due to any unlawful activity by the student.
- Student completed more than 90 semester hours to earn a bachelor’s degree, 30 of which were hours completed at Cottey.
- The President/VPAA will have final approval of the awarding of a posthumous degree once the above criteria have been confirmed by the registrar and Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment.
- The registrar will note if the student was enrolled at the time of death or was an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, federal military reserve forces, or National Guard.
- A notation that the degree is presented posthumously is indicated on the student record. It will appear on the transcript, commencement program, and diploma. The student’s name in the commencement program will be listed parenthetically noted as “Posthumous”. The diploma will say, “Awarded Posthumously”.
- The diploma may be presented to a family member during a commencement ceremony or other service at the family’s request.
- A deceased student who does not meet the semester hour requirement for a degree may be awarded a posthumous certificate of recognition, if appropriate. The certificate is noted on the transcript and is presented privately.