Occasionally, cases arise in which it is necessary to rescind a student’s degree to correct an administrative error. The two most common cases are:
A. A degree was issued with an error (e.g., wrong major, omitted double major, omitted minor, etc.) and must be rescinded in order for a new and correct degree to be awarded.
B. A degree was issued in error (i.e., the student had not fulfilled all graduation requirements), and the degree must be rescinded.
Because the dean is the recommending officer when granting degrees, the dean is also the appropriate officer when rescinding degrees. Thus, in all cases, requests to rescind degrees must come from the office of the dean of the college or school.
If a case were to arise regarding matters of student conduct, the appropriate office of student conduct or judicial affairs may submit the rescission request directly to COCI, but the appropriate dean(s) must have been given notice and a reasonable opportunity to comment before the request is sent to COCI.
In the case of rescinding a degree so that it may be replaced with a corrected degree, the following information must be provided to COCI:
- What was the nature of the error that resulted in the degree being incorrectly granted? (i.e., What happened and why does the degree need to be rescinded/replaced?)
- Has the student been informed of the requested rescission/replacement?
- Does the student currently have a diploma that reflects the error? If so, has the college or department arranged to collect the erroneous diploma?
- When will the student be placed on a new degree list?
- What will the student’s new degree reflect? (i.e., graduation date, major, minor, etc.)
In the case of rescinding a degree because it was awarded in error, the following information must be provided in order for COCI to review the request:
- What was the nature of the error that resulted in the degree being granted? (i.e., Why was the student placed on the degree list? or What has changed that justifies the rescission?)
- Has the student been informed of the requested rescission?
- Has the student been provided with advising needed to reconcile the situation and successfully earn a degree?
- Does the student currently have a diploma? If so, has the college or department arranged to collect the diploma?