Policy 6310C

The College may award degrees posthumously under the following conditions:

A written request must be received on behalf of the deceased student;
The student must have been in good academic standing with the institution at the time of death;
The student will have a final GPA consistent with those needed to graduate;
The student must have satisfied the institution’s requirements for earned credits in residence;
The student must have substantially completed the degree requirements which means the student’s program must have been 90% complete at the time of the student’s death. The student must also have been enrolled in coursework at the time of their death.

Adopted March 8, 2018

Procedure 6310C

Receive a written request on behalf of the deceased student (sources may include, but not be limited to: a parent; other family member; or faculty member);
Review the student’s record and make the following initial determinations:
a. Overall GPA
b. Grades within the major
c. Grades that will be assessed for the students final partial semester
d. Percentage of programmatic courses completed
e. Percentage of general education courses completed
Contact the Dean of Academics and the Vice President for Student Learning to share the above information. Work together to determine whether or not the degree can be awarded.
If necessary, work with the Dean and the student’s faculty members to supply missing grades for courses not completed.
If, after consultation with others in #3 above, the Vice President for Student Services officer determines the degree should be awarded, he/she will make that recommendation to the President. If approved, complete the appropriate actions to record and award the degree.
Presentation of the diploma may be made to the next of kin by mail or at the next Western Wyoming Community College commencement ceremony at the direction of the President in consultation with the next of kin.

Adopted: March 8, 2018