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Handbook of Operating Procedures
  • Policy Process

    • Handbook of Operating Procedures
    Chapter 5 - Students
    Publication Date: November 1, 2013
    Responsible Executive: VP for Student Affairs


    5.13 Posthumous Degrees

    This is not the current policy. For the latest, click here.

    I. POLICY STATEMENT

    The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) provides opportunities for family members, university officials, and student organizations to request the awarding of a degree posthumously upon the death of a student.

    II. RATIONALE

    When the death of a student occurs while the student is near graduation, this policy provides a procedure to award the student’s degree posthumously in recognition of the efforts expended by the student in seeking his or her goal of becoming a UTSA graduate.

    III. SCOPE

    This policy applies to undergraduate and graduate students whose deaths occur prior to graduation.

    IV. WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY

    http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter5/5-13.html

    V. RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS

    None

    VI. CONTACTS

    If you have any questions about HOP policy 5.13, Posthumous Degrees , contact the following offices:

    University College (for undergraduate students)
    210-458-5191

    The Graduate School (for graduate students)
    210-458-4331

    VII. DEFINITIONS

    Posthumous Degrees - a degree that is awarded to a student after the student's death

    VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. Family member, dean of the college of the student's major, or a UTSA Registered Student Organization
      1. Submits a request to award a posthumous degree to a student after the student's death.
    2. Vice Provost and Dean of the University College (for undergraduates) or Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (for graduate students)
      1. Receives and reviews requests for posthumous degrees and makes recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs (provost) regarding the Request
    3. Provost
      1. Make the final decision on the approval or disapproval of requests for the awarding of posthumous degrees.

    IX. PROCEDURES

    1. A request to award a posthumous degree to student may be submitted by a family member of the student, the dean of the college of the student’s major, or a UTSA Registered Student Organization in the following circumstances and with the following conditions:
      1. When a student's death occurs after ALL requirements for the awarding of the degree have been completed. If the student has filed an application for graduation, then the posthumous degree will be awarded without a formal request as outlined above.
      2. When an undergraduate student’s death occurs in the final semester of attendance and the student is in good academic and financial standing with the University. Although grades in the final courses, and applications and other arrangements for graduation may not have been completed, the University may, as a courtesy to the student and his or her family, award the degree posthumously.
      3. When, in the final year of attendance, an undergraduate student’s death occurs when less than 15 semester credit hours of coursework remain to be completed, and the student is otherwise in good standing with the University.
      4. When a graduate student’s death occurs when the student is close to graduation as determined by the judgment of the vice provost and dean of the graduate school and the provost.
    2. The provost makes the final decision on the request.
    3. For a student approved to be awarded a degree posthumously, there will be a routine announcement at graduation by calling out the name of the student and indicating that the award is being made posthumously in recognition of the effort expended while the student lived.

    X. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    None

    XI. FORMS AND TOOLS/ONLINE PROCESSES

    None

    XII. APPENDIX

    None