Posthumous Award of Degrees

In order to recognize the achievement of students who have died, the University of Kansas may grant undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees posthumously. This policy applies to deceased students who were in good academic standing at the time of death and enrolled for their final semester at the University of Kansas, as determined by the dean of the school or college. Requests for posthumous degrees must be initiated by the student’s academic department and approved by the dean of the school or college conferring the degree. Each case will be determined on its own merits.

The dean of the school or college posthumously conferring the degree should contact the Office of the University Registrar to confirm the correct information for the degree to be conferred, notify the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and coordinate with the Office of the Chancellor for notification of the family. Posthumous degrees are conferred during the semester in which the student was expected to graduate. The Chancellor informs the student’s family in writing of the posthumous award of the degree.