Awarding Posthumous Degrees

Policy Statement

Under certain circumstances, SUNY Oneonta may award a degree posthumously to a matriculated student who dies prior to the completion of degree requirements. Posthumous degrees may be awarded in accordance with State University of New York system-wide policy and applicable campus procedures.

Rationale

This policy establishes clear, equitable, and compassionate criteria and procedures for awarding posthumous degrees at SUNY Oneonta, consistent with SUNY Board of Trustees authorization and State law.

Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to all matriculated SUNY Oneonta students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Policy Elaboration

Eligibility Criteria

A posthumous degree may be awarded when all of the following conditions are met:

1. Request or Consent
   1. A request for a posthumous degree must be initiated by a family member, survivor, or legal representative of the deceased student; or
   2. A campus representative may initiate the request, provided the campus obtains consent from a family member, survivor, or legal representative.
2. Verification of Death
   1. The University must verify the student’s death through appropriate documentation.
3. Academic and Conduct Standing
   1. The student must have been in good academic and conduct standing at the time of death.
   2. Extenuating circumstances directly related to the student’s passing may be considered if standing was affected.
4. Minimum Academic Progress 
   SUNY Oneonta applies the minimum progress requirements consistent with SUNY limits.  
   1. Bachelor’s Degree: A minimum of 60 credits earned toward the degree, including at least 6 credits completed at SUNY Oneonta.
   2. Graduate/Professional Degree: Substantial completion of degree requirements, as determined by the academic program.
5. Honors
   1. Latin honors may be awarded with a posthumous degree when GPA criteria are met.
6. Restrictions
   1. The University shall not impose additional restrictive criteria, including time limitations for submitting a request.
7. Exceptions
   1. The President, or the Provost as designee, may approve exceptions in cases that do not fully meet the criteria outlined above.
8. Alternate Recognition
   1. The University may consider alternate forms of recognition when a posthumous degree is not approved, or criteria are not met.

Definitions

Not applicable.

Procedures

1. Initiation and Review
   1. Upon receipt of a request (or consent, if initiated by the University), the academic department shall review the student’s academic record.
   2. The chair of the student’s major shall submit a written recommendation to the Provost.
2. Approval
   1. Final approval of a posthumous degree rests with the President or the Provost as designee.
3. Issuance of Diploma and Transcript
   1. The diploma shall be issued in the standard format and provided to the family at no charge.
   2. The student’s transcript shall reflect that the degree was awarded posthumously, in accordance with campus protocol, and at no charge to the family.
   3. Posthumous degrees shall not be included in institutional reporting to SUNY or external agencies (e.g., IPEDS).

Forms

There are no related forms at this time.

Contacts

Questions related to the daily operational interpretation of this policy should be directed to:

Registrar’s Office 
(607) 436-2531 
registrar@oneonta.edu 

Related Documents / Policies

• SUNY Policy and Guidance: Posthumous Degrees (July 18, 2025)

Effective Dates

• Original policy approved by the President: May 7, 2002
• Revised policy approved: May 2026