A20 - Posthumous Degrees

Policy Reference No: A20
Date of Last Update: 3/19/26
Responsible Division: Office of the President

Purpose

The Board of Trustees establishes the criteria under which a posthumous degree may be awarded to a student who was matriculated at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) and passed away prior to degree completion. This policy is consistent with SUNY Board of Trustees Resolution on Posthumous Degrees on December 5, 2023, and SUNY Policy and Guidance on Posthumous Degrees issued by the SUNY Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost on July 18, 2025. 

References

Contacts

  • Assistant to the President, Nancy Murphy, ext. 4367

Policy Statement

A posthumous Associate’s degree may be awarded in the name of a matriculated student, in the discipline in which they were matriculated when:

  1. It is so requested by a family member, survivor, or legal representative of the student; or a campus representative may initiate the request in which case TC3 shall obtain consent from a family member, survivor, or legal representative.
  2. TC3 has verified that the student passed away.
  3. The student was in good academic and conduct standing at the time of their passing, with consideration given to extenuating circumstances related to their passing that may have impacted their standing.
  4. The student had earned a minimum of 30 credits toward the degree, with at least 6 credits completed at TC3.
  5. The Associate’s degree may be awarded with Latin honors with the appropriate earned GPA.
  6. The President may make exceptions to these criteria as appropriate to the circumstances. Additionally, the College may consider an alternate honor if an exception is not available.
  7. There will be no charge to the family for the granting and issuing of the posthumous Associate’s degree.

Resolution Number

  • Resolution #2025-26-23