Policy 2.4 - Awarding of Degrees, Associate Diplomas, and Degree Certificates/Diplomas in Extraordinary Circumstances
The official version of this policy is housed with the University Secretariat. In the event of a discrepancy, the official version will prevail. Click here for a printable version of this policy.
Approving Authority: Senate
Responsible Office: Office of the Vice-Provost (Student Affairs), Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Responsible Officer: University Secretary
Original Approval Date: December 5, 2012
Most Recent Revision Date: November 22, 2021
1. Purpose
1.1. The purpose of this policy is to outline criteria for the awarding of recognition or commemoration of students who are unable to complete their studies owing to death or permanent incapacitation.
2. Jurisdiction/Scope
2.1. This policy applies to the University of Guelph, including the Ridgetown regional campus and Guelph-Humber.
3. Definitions
3.1. "Permanent incapacitation" means the student will never be able to continue in their studies, even with assistance.
3.2. "Posthumously" means after the death of the student.
4. Policy
4.1. Recognition may take the form of
- An academic degree, associate diploma, degree certificate/ diploma which is awarded posthumously or in the event of permanent incapacitation.
- A special "In Commemoration" parchment (for example, Bachelor of Arts in Commemoration) awarded posthumously or in the event of permanent incapacitation.
4.2. Eligibility
4.2.1. An academic degree, associate diploma, or degree certificate/ diploma may be awarded posthumously if all program requirements were completed prior to death. In the case of permanent incapacitation, an academic degree, associate diploma degree certificate or degree diploma may be awarded if all program requirements were completed prior to the date of permanent incapacitation.
4.2.2. An academic degree, associate diploma, degree certificate/ diploma may also be awarded posthumously or to a student who is permanently incapacitated if at least seventy-five percent of the program requirements have been completed (and in the case of thesis-based graduate degrees, the student had achieved significant progress on a thesis or dissertation, according to the opinion of the student’s thesis advisory committee and the Assistant Vice-President, Graduate Studies.
4.2.3. An “In Commemoration” parchment may be awarded to a student who was enrolled in a degree, associate diploma, or degree certificate/ diploma but had not completed seventy-five percent of the program requirements (or in the case of thesis-based graduate degrees, had not achieved significant progress on a thesis or dissertation, in the opinion of the graduate faculty advisor and department chair) at the time of death or permanent incapacitation.
5. Related Policies, Procedures & Documents
5.1. Associate Diploma Calendar
5.2. Graduate Calendar