Because of chronic health issues throughout her life, Yaneth Rignack had been unable to achieve her dream of going to college and earning a degree. As many of you know, she had recently enrolled in virtual classes at Florida International University and was ecstatic about her return to school. 

After enrolling, Yaneth continued to struggle with her health, but kept up her studies, earning a 3.6 GPA in her first semester last fall. Sadly, Yaneth suddenly and tragically passed away this weekend, just as the spring semester had started. Even while she was fighting for her life, she was in communication with her professors and posted pictures to Facebook showing her working on her class assignments from her hospital bed.

FIU currently requires that a student have achieved senior status in order for a degree to be awarded posthumously.  I am asking the Office of the Provost to override this policy and confer a degree to Yaneth. As an FIU alumni myself, nothing would make me prouder than to have my alma mater honor the memory of my friend who prioritized school and was committed to her education till the very end.