Health/Medical Leave

Medical leaves are meant to address both short-term and long-standing medical conditions, including either physical and/or mental health issues.

If an undergraduate student's medical needs are greater than their ability to meaningfully participate in their Caltech education, students are encouraged to work with their health care providers to decide whether a leave of absence is recommended, or if there are reasonable accommodations that can be made to support the student's continuation in their academic program.

This may include releasing medical information to Caltech's Student Wellness Services and/or accessibility staff to collaborate on support plans. These plans will address the needs of the student, as well as considerations of the campus community.  This cooperation is especially encouraged if a student experiences a medical crisis, such as a hospitalization.

The duration of a medical leave should be determined primarily by the student's improvement in treatment. In general, however, medical leaves are expected to include at least one full term, not including the summer.  This is to allow a significant period of engagement in treatment, and time for an adequate assessment of a student's readiness and ongoing medical needs upon their petition to return.

The Institute may impose conditions on a return from a medical leave. This may include confirmation from the student's health care provider that the student is following the recommended course of treatment; the student's consent for the provider to discuss the student's condition or progress during the leave with Caltech officials, including representatives of Student Wellness Services and the Deans' Office; and/or an independent evaluation of the student's readiness to return by a qualified medical professional. Any conditions of return will be specified at the time of the leave approval.

To request a medical leave before the last day of classes in a term, a student can take the following steps:

1. Submit the leave form to begin the petition for medical leave.
2. The student should then schedule a meeting with Student Wellness Services by calling +1-626-395-8331 and arrange to meet with either of the following staff:

• The Medical Director of Health Services or designee (for leaves related to medical conditions), or
• The Clinical Director of Counseling Services or designee (for leaves related to emotional, psychological, or psychiatric conditions).

This meeting is to help the student make plans for their treatment during their leave, to discuss the need for any conditions placed on the leave, and to answer any questions the student has about the leave process.

Same-day appointments are unavailable for medical leave, and appointment slots are limited, so please plan ahead and send the completed form promptly.

3. All students will need to give written consent for the Student Wellness Services Director to communicate their recommendation to the Deans' Office by filling out the release of information and records consent form. This can be brought to SWS in person, faxed to the office at 626-585-1522 or sent as an attachment to a secure message in the Student Health Portal.

4. The Dean or designee gives approval for the petition for medical leave.

It is the expectation that a student on medical leave will focus on managing the condition(s) that precipitated the leave. Any impending or ongoing conduct processes will ordinarily be suspended while a student is on medical leave, unless the student requests otherwise in writing, and their medical provider agrees it is appropriate. However, in some cases, the Title IX Coordinator and/or the Undergraduate Dean or designee may determine that the case cannot be paused.

See Return from Medical Leave