Award of Degrees and Posthumous Degrees Policies

The University does not guarantee the award of a degree or a certificate of satisfactory completion of any course of study or training program to students enrolled in any instructional or training program. The award of degrees and certificates of satisfactory completion is conditioned upon satisfaction of all current degree and instructional requirements at the time of such award, compliance with all University policies and regulations, as well as meeting bona fide expectations of the faculty.

Policy on the Posthumous Conferral of Degrees

This policy establishes the criteria for Western New England University to recognize the academic achievements of students enrolled at the time of their death. A degree awarded posthumously acknowledges the completion of a significant part of the academic degree requirements and recognizes the student’s good standing with the university.

Requirements for Awarding Posthumous Degrees

Western New England University will consider the posthumous awarding of a degree in the program that the student was pursuing at the time of death, provided that the deceased student completed at least 75% of credit hour requirements, with at least 30 credits taken at WNE.

Process and further criteria:

1. A request for the awarding of a posthumous degree may be initiated by the deceased student’s family, or by the student’s advisor, program chair, or academic dean. The request is made to the Provost.

2. The Registrar will review the student’s record to determine whether the student has met the
following criteria:
• Good academic standing
• Good disciplinary and social standing, as determined by the Office of Student Affairs
• Endorsement of the school/college Dean

3. The Provost shall have final approval of the awarding of a posthumous degree once the above criteria have been confirmed by the Registrar.

4. Upon approval by the Provost, the Provost will notify the Registrar, who shall coordinate with the Vice President of Student Affairs to make any arrangements with the student’s family. If the family wishes, the appropriate degree will be awarded at the Commencement at which the student would have been otherwise recognized or at a similar ceremony acceptable to the
University and the student’s family. The student’s family will be asked to identify an appropriate person to receive the diploma when the student is recognized at the appropriate time in the Commencement ceremony. Except for the fact that the individual receiving the diploma on behalf of the student shall not be attired in cap or gown, there shall be no other changes in the ceremony.

5. Existing balances in the student’s account shall be forgiven.

6. The student’s name in the commencement program shall be listed, parenthetically noted as
"Posthumous". The diploma and transcript will say, “Awarded Posthumously.”

Undergraduate Academic Information

Subpages

Undergraduate Academic Information