Rule 3341-3-17 | Posthumous Awarding of a Degree.
(A) Policy statement and purpose
This policy describes criteria for posthumous awarding of an undergraduate or graduate degree.
(B) Policy
Bowling Green state university may confer degrees posthumously upon students who are deceased prior to formal completion of all degree requirements of the programs being pursued. Final approval for awarding degrees posthumously shall rest with the president.
(1) Guidelines for consideration for undergraduate students
To be considered for conferring of degree posthumously at Bowling Green state university, the student shall have met the following two conditions at the time of their death:
(a) The student was in good academic standing.
(b) The student was enrolled and had completed at least seventy-five percent of their degree requirements.
(2) Guidelines for consideration for graduate students
To be considered for conferring of degree posthumously at Bowling Green state university, the student shall have met the following three conditions at the time of their death:
(a) The student was in good academic standing.
(b) The student was enrolled and had completed seventy-five per cent of their degree requirements.
(c) In the case of a student in a thesis-based masters program or doctoral program, they must have an approved proposal and commenced research.
Cases that do not meet the enrollment requirement may be considered when extraordinary circumstances (such as absence due to illness or military service) prevail. The existence of a terminal illness will be established by a letter from a licensed medical professional who treated the student.
(3) Approval process
The process for identifying and considering candidates for the posthumous awarding of a degree is as follows:
(a) The chief well-being officer or designee, upon learning of the death of a Bowling Green state university student, shall notify the relevant academic unit(s). Additionally, the chief well-being officer will consult with the registrar or designee to assess whether the students overall record merits awarding the degree posthumously.
(b) If the students overall record merits awarding the degree posthumously, the chief well-being officer will share that information with the students school or departmental faculty, and school director or department chair, who will consider the matter and forward a recommendation to the college dean.
(c) In the case of an undergraduate degree, the college dean will forward their recommendation to the provost. In the case of a graduate degree, the college dean will forward their recommendation to the graduate dean. The graduate dean will provide a recommendation to the provost.
(d) The provost will weigh all information relating to each case independently and will prepare a recommendation to the president, who will make the final decision.
(4) Procedure upon approval
(a) The family of or others close to the deceased student will be notified of the approval by the provost (or designee).
(b) The degree will be conferred at an appropriate private ceremony.
The posthumous nature of the award will be indicated on the diploma and the student's permanent record.
(5) Recognition in lieu of a degree
If a degree is not awarded, Bowling Green state university may present a certificate of recognition to the family or others close to the deceased student.
(C) Equity impact statement
The policy has been assessed for adverse differential impact on members of one or more protected groups.
Last updated March 22, 2024 at 11:24 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 3341
Prior Effective Dates: 3/24/2015