Awarding Posthumous Degrees

Degrees may be awarded posthumously to any student who, at the time of death, has substantially completed the work for a degree, upon due recommendation of the appropriate faculty and chancellor. Each university shall file guidelines in the office of the president for implementing this policy (SIU Board of Trustees Policies 1. 4. D. 1. c.).

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has established guidelines as follows for recommending the posthumous awarding of degrees (such guidelines were filed with the office of the Board of Trustees at the time the Board initially adopted the above policy on December 8, 1977).

  1. Undergraduate
    It is the judgment of the Faculty Senate that posthumous degrees can justifiably be awarded when the candidate has substantially completed the work for the degree. This determination rests with the dean of the degree-granting unit concerned, in consultation with the appropriate department. [Approved by SIUC Faculty Senate February 12, 1974]
  2. Graduate
    A graduate degree may be awarded posthumously when the student has substantially completed the work for the degree. This determination shall be the responsibility of the Graduate Dean in consultation with the administrative officers and faculty of the degree program in which the student had been enrolled. [Approved by SIUC Graduate Council June 7,1974]