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Posthumous Degrees

Posthumous Degree Policy

Posthumous degree policies can be found in the University Academic Catalog at catalog.radford.edu.

Posthumous Award Procedure

The Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) serves as the point of contact for family and friends of a deceased student and originates notifications to other departments.  Family or friends of the deceased contact the Office of the Registrar or Vice President of Student Affairs’ Office to request awarding of a posthumous degree.

  1. Upon notification of a student death, the Office of the Registrar updates the student record of the deceased student and determines eligibility for a posthumous award based on the Posthumous degree policy and communicates eligibility to the VPSA.
    1. If a student is eligible for a posthumous degree or graduate certificate, the Office of the Registrar enters:
      1. A transcript notation is entered displaying a posthumous degree or certificate with a notation that the degree was awarded posthumously.
      2. On the diploma, the words, “awarded posthumously” will be printed.
      3. The diploma is ordered and presented to the family framed.
      4. Commencement-related notations in the Commencement program, in coordination with the Commencement Planning Committee.
    2. If guidance or additional input is required to determine eligibility, the Office of the Registrar may consult the faculty advisor, academic department, or the Office of Graduate Affairs.
    3. If a student is ineligible for a posthumous degree, the Office of the Registrar will contact the academic department to determine if a posthumous certificate of attendance, participation, or completion will be awarded. The department determination will be returned to the Office of the Registrar within 2 weeks.   
  2. The VPSA contacts the student’s family to notify them of the student’s eligibility for a posthumous degree or certificate.  If eligible, VPSA determines:
    1. How the family prefers to receive the posthumous diploma/certificate: either presented personally to the family or mailed with an appropriate letter from the president or their designee.
    2. Coordinates communication with the family regarding commencement exercises.

 

 

 

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