Whereas conferring of a posthumous degree is a common practice among colleges and universities, including the other Ivy League institutions, as a means to recognize and commemorate the deceased student’s engagement in our campus community and to provide grieving family and friends some small solace through this recognition;
Whereas typically degrees that may be awarded posthumously are Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, and Doctoral degrees;
Whereas to accomplish the goals of recognition and commemoration, a student who was enrolled at Cornell but who is ineligible to receive a posthumous degree may be eligible to receive a posthumous certificate, which indicates the student’s period of enrollment;
Whereas the Office of the University Registrar is best positioned to operationalize and publish the specifications of both awards, which will be based upon standards and procedures that align with recognized national best practices and adhere to New York State Department of Education requirements;
Whereas posthumous awards must be approved by the college/school dean;
Be it resolved that Cornell University will establish two posthumous awards – a degree and a certificate;
Be it further resolved that the Office of the University Registrar will operationalize and publish both awards, and in consultation with the college deans, will set the terms and conditions such as award eligibility criteria and processes for requesting and conferring such awards;
Be it finally resolved that any posthumous award must be approved by the college/school dean.

Vote results: 69 Yes, 2 No, 7 Abstain, 52 Did not vote