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Posthumous and Aegrotat Awards Policy

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Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy sets out the principles and requirements for conferral of an award if a student passes away or sustains an incapacitating injury or illness that prevents their completion of a course of study at the University of Canberra (the University).

(2) This Policy ensures that the University maintains appropriate standards and levels of student academic achievement.

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Section 2 - Scope

(3) This Policy applies to coursework and higher degree by research students enrolled in a University or University of Canberra College (UCC) course leading to an award at the time of their death or total and permanent incapacitation.

(4) This Policy supports the University’s compliance with the:

  1. the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021; and
  2. University of Canberra (Conferring of Awards) Rules 2022.
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Section 3 - Principles

Academic achievement – Authority and recognition

(5) Council has the authority to decide:

  1. whether an award of the University should be conferred prior to death or total and permanent incapacitation of a student; or
  2. the way an award should be conferred under the University of Canberra (Conferring of Awards) Rules 2022.

(6) The University will recognise the achievements of students who, prior to their death or total and permanent incapacitation, satisfy the academic requirements of their course under the University of Canberra (Conferring of Awards) Rules 2022.

(7) The University may recognise the achievements of students who sustain total and permanent incapacitation or pass away prior to them having met the academic requirements of the award, subject to satisfying the requirements in the Posthumous and Aegrotat Awards Procedure.

Family interests and expectations

(8) Academic and professional staff or family members may initiate a request for a posthumous or aegrotat award where a student was enrolled at the University at the time of their total and permanent incapacitation or death.

(9) The decision to bestow a posthumous award should take into account the wishes of the student’s family members.

(10) The Director, Student Life (or nominee) should:

  1. ensure all interactions and communications with a student or their representatives are undertaken sensitively and with discretion; and
  2. not give family members unreasonable or incorrect expectations of the eventual outcome to award a degree either posthumously or aegrotat.
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Section 4 - Responsibilities

WHO
RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic Board
  • Certifying a student is awarded an award either posthumously or in aegrotat (due to total and permanent incapacitation).
Council
  • Admitting a student to an award either posthumously or aegrotat (due to total and permanent incapacitation).
Dean, Graduate Research School
  • Assessing eligibility for an award either posthumously or aegrotat for higher degree by research students.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC)
  • Recommending posthumous and aegrotat awards to the Academic Board.
Director, Student Connect (or nominee)
  • Arranging for the conferral of the award as appropriate.
  • Arranging to record the conferral of an award either posthumously or aegrotat in the student management system.
Director, Student Life (or nominee)
  • Managing the liaison between the student/family and the relevant Dean.
  • Making recommendations to the relevant Faculty.
  • Seeking the support of the Executive Dean or Dean, Graduate Research School to grant an award either posthumously or aegrotat.
  • Overseeing the progress of an application to award either posthumously or aegrotat.
  • Arranging appropriate notification of the outcome of the request for the conferral an award either posthumously or aegrotat to the student themselves or the representative of the student.
  • Acting as the contact for all requests for the conferral of an award either posthumously or aegrotat
  • Undertaking necessary consultations with University Deans and managing all stages of the approval process.
Executive Dean
  • Assessing eligibility for award either posthumously or aegrotat for coursework students.
  • Confirming Faculty support to offer an award either posthumously or aegrotat.
  • Confirming the recommendation to grant award either posthumously or aegrotat.
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Section 5 - Procedures

(11) This Policy is supported by the Posthumous and Aegrotat Awards Procedure.

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Section 6 - Definitions

TERM
DEFINITION
Aegrotat
An award conferred upon a student who has sustained an incapacitating injury or illness that precludes completion of the course of study. This is based on Law Insider’s definition.
Award
As defined in the University of Canberra (Conferring of Awards) Rules 2022.
Conferral
The act of granting an award.
In absentia
Conferral of an award while not being present at the graduation ceremony.
Posthumous award
An award granted after the death of the student.
Total and permanent incapacitation
Where, in the opinion of the student’s treating medical practitioner, the student’s ability to pursue their education and to benefit from the Award, has been permanently affected by physical limitations or cognitive challenges with the effect that the student will not regain the capacity to complete their education or utilise any Award conferred in a professional setting.