The IUS Student Government Association took some time off during the summer break, but held a May 20 meeting to discuss an honorary degree for a student who was killed this year.

Bethany Burrier, criminal justice sophomore, was killed by a Jeffersonville sanitation truck when it struck her car from behind.

“I would really love the degree to honor her because she was so passionate about it,” her father, Jimmy Burrier, said.

Jimmy Burrier, who has visited the crash site many times since his daughter’s death, said he was certain his daughter would graduate.

He said she decided she was going to become a U.S. marshal and began to prepare herself by taking boxing lessons and participating in law enforcement ride-alongs.

The official IU policy requires 85 percent of a student’s coursework be completed in order to receive a posthumous degree. Bethany Burrier, 19, had not yet completed the required amount of courses to receive a posthumous degree.

Burrier’s family attended the May 20 meeting, in which the SGA considered passing a resolution asking the university to make an exception. Though no resolution was passed, SGA tech officer and computer science sophomore  Ruben Dodge,  said he plans to continue his efforts and bring the issue to the IU State Board of Trustees.

“Her parents, friends and family have a right to receive her degree,” Dodge said.

In order to encourage the university to award the family with a degree, a Facebook page was created. The page currently has more than 1,500 members.

Posthumous degrees are typically given to family members during a brief service before the graduation ceremony. According to the official IU Policy, “The intent is to honor the student and celebrate his or her accomplishments in a meaningful way while avoiding an awkward public event that may not be of comfort for the family.”

Gilbert Atnip, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, said he believed Indiana University has a reasonable policy regarding the issue. He said it would be difficult to make an exception for one student.

While Atnip said posthumous degrees are rare, he was quick to point out IU Southeast has a campus policy of honoring students who have passed away. The school’s chancellor and vice chancellor both write a condolence letter to the student’s family. The school will also lower the flags with a memorial sign to honor the student.

By MATTHEW CHINN

Website Editor

mchinn@umail.iu.edu