Student Death

University Notification and Assistance

When there is a student death, the main point of contact is the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will notify all appropriate people and departments on campus. Information needed includes the student’s full name along with their emergency contact’s name and phone number. A member of the Dean of Student’s staff will be designated to make the initial contact with the family and to serve as the university liaison to assist the family as needed. If possible, the names of the student’s friends should also be provided to the Dean of Students Office for the purpose of outreach to those affected by the death. When possible, details of the funeral arrangements will be shared with students and staff via an Inside Clemson email.

Posthumous Degree

When the Dean of Students Office notifies the campus of the student’s death, the registrar’s office will review the student’s academic record and confirm the student’s eligibility to be awarded a posthumously degree. Academic regulations for awarding posthumous degrees can be found in the undergraduate or graduate catalog. The college faculty make the official recommendation to award the degree.  Their decision is communicated to the College Dean, the Registrar’s Office, the Dean of Students, and the Dean of the Graduate School as appropriate. At graduation, the President of the University will announce that the student who passed will receive their degree posthumously. The Dean of Students Office coordinates the delivery of the degree to the family of the deceased student.

Certificate of Attendance

If a student has not reached the point academically where they would have been eligible for awarding of a degree posthumously, the student’s family may request a certificate of attendance from Clemson University. The Dean of Students Office is the point of contact for a Certificate of Attendance.