In exceptional circumstances, the university can recommend to the Board of Regents that a degree from Montana Technological University be awarded posthumously.
An appropriate degree may be awarded on the recommendation of the student's major department head, with support from the appropriate college dean approval by the Provost and the Chancellor and approval of the Board of Regents.
POLICY:
To be considered for a posthumous degree, the student must meet the following requirements:
A. the student was in good academic standing, and
B. the student had completed two-thirds (2/3) of the credits requirement for the degree to be awarded.
In the case of graduate students, the advisor, department head, and college dean shall recommend to the Graduate Dean and Graduate Dean's counsel potential recipients of posthumous degrees.
Internal control considerations, if applicable: NA
Signed by Chancellor Les P. Cook, April 15, 2025
PROCEDURES:
Requests for posthumous degrees will be forwarded to the registrar along with:
1. Student's full name and degree program
2. Confirmation that student is deceased (obituary, etc.)
Registrar will confirm whether policy requirements have been met. If the requirements are met, the registrar will submit the request to the Faculty Senate, as an independent item, at the same meeting where standard degree candidates are presented for approval.
Notification of faculty approval will be forwarded to the Chancellor immediately following the meeting. The Chancellor will notify the party who requested the degree be conferred.
The Registrar will be notified and the degree will be awarded at a subsequent commencement ceremony or presented to the student's family in an appropriate setting.
Diplomas for posthumous degrees will be identical to other degrees awarded as all certified Montana Technological University degrees. Posthumous degrees will appear in the commencement program. Posthumous degrees will not appear on transcripts.