Memorials for Deceased Campus Community Members Policy

Purpose: The death of a student, faculty, staff, alum, or community member is a profound loss for the Pittsburg State University community. This policy provides guidance on appropriate memorial practices—honoring lives, supporting healing, and preserving campus integrity and equity.

Applies to: This policy applies to all members of the Pittsburg State University community—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and affiliates.

Policy:

This policy covers temporary memorials (flowers, cards, mementos) and remembrance events, memorial services, and celebrations of life held in all campus facilities except those listed below.

Permanent memorials (benches, plaques, trees, statues) are governed by the Commemorative Landscape Gifts Policy.

This policy does not apply to memorial events in Timmons Chapel and the Wilkinson Alumni Center, or inclusion in the Timmons Chapel Columbarium. Those are governed by the PSU Foundation.

This policy does not apply to personal memorials off campus.

A. Guiding Principles and Limitations

1. The university does not permit funerals or full memorial services to be held on campus except under extraordinary circumstances, with direct authorization from the President.
2. The preferred form of memorialization is through endowed funds, scholarships, or named gifts, rather than permanent physical fixtures.
3. Memorials of deceased individuals must reflect respect, campus mission, and consistency with university standards.
4. The university reserves the right to remove or relocate memorials in cases of deterioration, safety, campus redevelopment, or conflict—with reasonable prior notice.

B. Temporary Memorials

Temporary memorials include spontaneous expressions of grief such as flowers, cards, photos, candles, notes, or tokens placed on campus.

1. Temporary memorials may be displayed for up to four weeks (or a shorter period as determined appropriate) from the date of placement.
2. After the display period, items will be collected by the university (Student Affairs or Facilities) and offered back to the family or responsible parties.
3. Students, staff, or community members may organize vigils or remembrance gatherings, but Pitt State does not normally sponsor or lead such events.
4. Spontaneous memorial gatherings must not interfere with campus operations, safety, or scheduled academic events.

C. Permanent Memorials

Permanent memorials are physical installations (benches, plaques, statues, trees with markers) intended to endure on campus. See the Commemorative Landscape Gifts Policy.

D. Funeral / Memorial Services

The university discourages holding funeral or full memorial services on campus grounds. When exceptional circumstances warrant, such events may occur only in designated campus spaces and only with approval from the President.

The Chief of Staff to the President oversees funeral/memorial requests and coordinates reviews with Advancement, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs.

This policy does not apply to memorial events in Timmons Chapel and the Wilkinson Alumni Center, or inclusion in the Timmons Chapel Columbarium. Those are governed by the PSU Foundation.

E. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed every three years or sooner as needed due to campus changes, donor practices, or evolving norms.