Policies

Awarding Posthumous Degrees Policy

Policy Purpose

This policy outlines procedures for awarding posthumous degrees to Farmingdale State College students who pass away prior to graduation in accordance with SUNY policy and guidance.

Persons Affected

Students

Policy Statement

Farmingdale State College may award a posthumous degree in recognition of a student’s work and satisfactory progress towards degree at the time of death. To be considered for a posthumous degree the student’s family member, survivor, or legal representative must request the award of a posthumous degree. A campus representative may also initiate the request after obtaining consent from a family member, survivor, or legal representative.

The student must have been in good academic and conduct standing at the time of their passing, with consideration given to the extenuating circumstances related to their passing that may have impacted their standing. To be awarded a posthumous degree the student must have completed a minimum of 30 credits for an Associate degree and 60 credits for a Baccalaureate degree, thus having completed at least 50% of their degree program, with at least 6 credits completed at Farmingdale State College.

Latin honors may be awarded with a posthumous degree based on their overall GPA for all classes taken cumulatively. The diploma will be issued in the standard format and at no charge. The transcript will be issued in accordance with the college’s protocol to ensure the award is not counted in reporting to SUNYH or external agencies (e.g., IPEDS) and at no charge.

Additional restrictive criteria, such as requiring the request be submitted within a certain time-period, will not be imposed.

The college may consider alternative recognition for those who do not meet the aforementioned criteria and for whom an exception is not approved.

Procedures

1. Requests for a posthumous degree must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office via the Posthumous Degree Form by the student’s family member, survivor, or legal representative or a campus representative with the permission of the family member, survivor, or legal representative.
2. The Registrar will verify the student has passed away and confirm that the student was in good academic and conduct standing at the time of their passing.
3. The Registrar will then forward the request to the Chair for review and approval, who will forward it to the Dean for review and approval, and lastly to the Provost for review and approval.
4. The Provost will forward all approvals and denials to the President, who may approve exceptions to cases or consider alternative recognition for those that do not meet the aforementioned criteria.

Definitions

Posthumous Degree – An academic degree awarded after a student’s death, recognizing the academic work completed and progress towards degree.

Good Academic Standing - A status indicating that the student was meeting the academic requirements of their program at the time of their passing, including GPA and progress toward degree completion.

Good Conduct Standing - A status indicating that the student was not under any active disciplinary sanction or restriction for violations of the Student Code of Conduct at the relevant time.

Latin Honors — Academic distinctions (e.g., cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) awarded based on GPA and the college’s residency requirement, which may also be granted posthumously if the student qualifies.

Responsible Office

Office of the Provost

Policy History

Approval Date: 4/7/2026