Policies

Formal separation from the Institute is effected by filing a completed undergraduate student leave form to be for­warded to the registrar and other appropriate offices. The effective date of a withdrawal is entered by the Dean or designee. A student withdrawing from the Institute at any time during the term without filing a formal undergraduate leave form will not be considered withdrawn. In such a case, any grades reported by the instructors will be recorded on the official transcript, and the grade of F will be recorded for all other courses. A student who withdraws, or is absent for a term (or longer), without an approved undergraduate student leave must petition for reinstatement to return to the Institute. Return from involuntary leave requires approval through the Deans' office. Reinstatement rules are listed under scholastic requirements. If the withdrawal occurs after Add Day of any term, a W (standing for "withdrawn") will be recorded on the student's transcript for all courses in which the stu­dent is enrolled. A grade of W is not included in the computation of the student's grade-point average. The record will also indicate wheth­er an undergraduate student leave was granted.

Caltech considers students on an approved leave to be matriculated; however, students on leave are not currently enrolled and therefore do not enjoy all rights and privileges of enrolled students. Unenrolled students, and accordingly, students on leave, have limited access to Caltech's educational activities, programs, and services. They may not attend classes or labs, live in Institute housing, or access certain student resources, including Student Wellness Services and Residential Life activities, programs, and services during their leave. Career Advising and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is, by default, open to all students who have not been permanently separated from the Institute, regardless of leave or enrollment status, unless otherwise revoked by the Director of CAEL or the deans' office. For questions regarding the full scope of these limitations, please contact the deans' office.

Students may consult with their advisor and otherwise plan for their academic future; however, they will not receive credit for courses unless they are properly enrolled. Students who are on leave are still subject to all Institute policies, including the Institute Sex- and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy. Violations of policy may affect a student's eligibility to re-enroll.