• Home
  • Posthumous Award of Degrees
Policy
Purpose: 

To establish the procedure for recognizing the achievement of University of Kansas students who have died

Applies to: 

Students on the Lawrence campus and its reporting units

Campus: 
Lawrence
Policy Statement: 

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.

Contact: 

Policy Office
785-864-9600
policy@ku.edu

Approved by: 
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Approved on: 
Monday, July 13, 2009
Effective on: 
Monday, July 13, 2009
Review Cycle: 
Annual (As Needed)
Keywords: 
degree
Change History: 

11/04/2021: Updated contact section.
01/27/2015: Added language for Purpose and Applies to.
01/09/2015: Policy formatting cleanup (e.g., bolding, spacing).
05/20/2013: Updated contact information.
07/13/2009: Approved by Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor.

Academic Categories: 
Graduation & Degrees

Can't Find What You're Looking For?
Policy Library Search
KU Today
One of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities
Nearly $290 million in financial aid annually
44 nationally ranked graduate programs.
—U.S. News & World Report
Top 50 nationwide for size of library collection.
—ALA
23rd nationwide for service to veterans —"Best for Vets," Military Times