12.02
Degrees Awarded Posthumously - Under certain circumstances, SUNY Cobleskill may award a degree posthumously in recognition of a student’s academic work. A request for a posthumous degree may be made by a family member, survivor, legal representative, or it may be initiated by a campus representative with the consent of the student’s family or legal representative. The Office of Academic Affairs will verify the student’s passing. The offices of Academic Affairs and Student Development will coordinate to confirm that the student was in good academic and conduct standing at the time of their death, while allowing for consideration of extenuating circumstances related to the passing that may have affected their standing. There are no set time limitations for requesting posthumous degrees; however, to be included in commencement, regular graduation due dates apply.
To be eligible, the student must have made meaningful progress toward the degree. For associate degrees, 30 credits with at least 6 completed at SUNY Cobleskill; for baccalaureate degrees, 60 credits with at least 6 completed at SUNY Cobleskill. Latin honors will be awarded if applicable.
The degree and transcripts will be awarded at no charge to the family. The diploma will be issued in the standard format, and the transcript will follow campus procedures so the degree is not included in SUNY or external reporting (e.g., IPEDS). The student will be recognized in memoriam at commencement, and the family may be invited to participate in the ceremony or receive the diploma by mail, according to their wishes.
The President, or the Provost as designee, may approve exceptions when cases fall outside of these criteria. If a student does not meet the criteria and an exception is not granted, alternate honors, such as an in‑memoriam listing in the commencement program, reading the student’s name, or a certificate of remembrance, may be offered to the family.