Policy on Posthumous Degrees and Certificates In Memoriam

Introduction

Trinity wishes to honor students in good standing who die prior to completing requirements for graduation.  This policy statement provides two pathways for recognition.

When an undergraduate student dies close to but prior to completing their degree, normally in their final semester of enrollment, Trinity Washington University may award the degree posthumously.  An academic degree, represented in conferral of the diploma, certifies the student’s completion of a required course of study including earning a specific number of credits in courses required by the program plan and fulfilling all related requirements for the degree.  This policy statement does not abridge any regular degree requirements but recognizes the fact that the student’s academic work may be worthy of recognition if the student dies close to completing all requirements.

For students who die earlier than the last semester of enrollment, or those who are in master’s degree programs, Trinity may confer a Certificate In Memoriam to recognize and honor the student’s academic achievement.

This policy does not confer a right, and Trinity may or may not choose to confer the degree or certificate according to the criteria specified below.

 Criteria for Consideration for a Posthumous Degree

Trinity will consider awarding a posthumous degree according to these criteria;

  • The student was enrolled or on an approved leave of absence at the time of their death.
  • The student was in good academic and disciplinary standing with Trinity.
  • The student is within one semester of graduation.
  • The student had successfully completed or demonstrated intent to complete all other requirements for the degree, e.g., clinical requirements, senior assessment, comprehensive exam;
  • The circumstances of the student’s death were due to illness, accident or natural causes, and not the result of self-harm or the student’s own illegal activity.

Criteria for Consideration of a Certificate In Memoriam

In cases where a deceased student may not fulfill all of the criteria above, Trinity may award a Certificate In Memoriam upon recommendation of the program faculty to the Dean and Provost.

Procedure

Trinity will consider the award of a Posthumous Degree or Certificate In Memoriam upon written request to the Provost by one of the following persons:’

  • Immediate family members (parent, guardian, spouse, sibling, child)
  • Faculty in the major program
  • Dean of the academic unit
  • Provost or President

Trinity may ask for clarification of the request and additional information to support a decision.

Requests for this recognition should be made within two semesters of the student’s death.

The Chair of the program or Program Director, the Dean and the Provost will confer to evaluate the request, and this group is empowered to make decisions about variances from the stated criteria for good cause.  The Provost forwards their recommendation to the President.

For a Posthumous Degree, the President forwards the recommendation to the Board of Trustees who will make the final determination regarding approval of the degree.

For a Certificate In Memoriam, the President makes the final decision upon receiving the recommendation from the Provost.

The President will communicate the decision to the person who made the request.

Trinity will confer the diploma or certificate at the next immediate commencement, and a representative of the family may participate to receive the diploma or certificate.

The Registrar will post the notice of the posthumous degree on the student’s transcript and the diploma will include a similar notation.