I. Purpose

To provide families of deceased students with a meaningful acknowledgement of the student’s accomplishments and legacy while also upholding academic and institutional integrity in the awarding of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. 

II. Definitions

A Degree in Memoriam is defined as a recognition provided to honor a deceased student’s progress toward an associate degree. 

A Diploma in Memoriam is defined as a recognition provided to honor a deceased student’s progress toward a diploma program. 

A Certificate in Memoriam is defined as a recognition provided to honor a deceased student’s progress toward a certificate program. 

These credentials are not included in the official count of degrees, diplomas, and certificates, and are not recorded on a student’s transcript. 

III. Credential in Memoriam Guidelines and Procedures 

A. A credential in memoriam (Degree in Memoriam, Diploma in Memoriam, or Certificate in Memoriam) may be awarded if the following criteria are met: 

1. Good Standing: The student's academic and disciplinary standing will be reviewed at the time of their passing.
2. Active Enrollment: The student must have been actively enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at the time of their passing.
3. Completion Progress: The student must have completed at least 50% of the required coursework for their program.

B. The family of the deceased student must submit a formal request for a Degree in Memoriam, a Diploma in Memoriam, or a Certificate in Memoriam to the Graduation Office that includes the following: 

• A copy of the student's death certificate.
• Proof of relationship to the deceased (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate).
• Any additional documentation requested by the Graduation Office.

C. The Graduation Office will verify the student’s eligibility based on the criteria outlined above. If all criteria are met, the Degree in Memoriam, Diploma in Memoriam, or Certificate in Memoriam will be approved. 

D. The Graduation Office will prepare the appropriate credential certificate, noting that it is awarded in memoriam. The family will be notified of the approval and the expected timeline for receiving the credential. The credential will be mailed to the family at no charge. It will not be included in the college’s official count of credential completions, noted on the student’s transcript, or awarded during graduation ceremonies.

E. The Registrar’s Office and Graduation Office will maintain a list of all Degrees in Memoriam, Diplomas in Memoriam, and Certificates in Memoriam, and the date awarded for internal recordkeeping.