Involuntary Leave
There are four ways an undergraduate student might be involuntarily separated from the Institute
When a student is ineligible for the first time, students should send a reinstatement petition to their associate dean of undergraduate students.
When a student becomes ineligible a second time, they will be required to withdraw from the Institute for at least two terms, not counting the summer term. A student who has been required to leave the Institute because of academic ineligibility may, after at least two terms of leave, petition the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors (UASH) Committee for reinstatement.
The Institute is a learning community, and it is therefore focused on the education, growth, and development of its students. The philosophy guiding sanctioning decisions is in keeping with the Institute's Statement on Community and centered on providing opportunities for meaningful reflection and growth. However, in the interest of protecting the integrity and safety of the community, there may be times when separation of a student, either for a set period of time or permanently, may be appropriate.
Caltech prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of disability or any other protected characteristic. Caltech also offers a range of resources, support services and accommodations to address the physical and mental health needs of students. However, occasionally, a student's behavioral needs may exceed the Institute's ability to provide a sufficient level of care to protect both the student and the community.
When current information about a student's medical condition and/or the best available objective evidence indicates that:
- A student poses a significant risk to the health or safety of a member of the Caltech community
- A student is unable or unwilling to carry out substantial self-care obligations and poses a significant risk to their own safety
- A student's behavior severely disrupts the living or learning environment
- A student requires a level of care from the Institute community that exceeds reasonable accommodations, resources and/or staffing that the Institute can reasonably be expected to provide
The Dean of Undergraduate Studies then has the authority to place a student on an involuntary leave of absence.
Before placing any student on an involuntary leave of absence, the Dean will conduct an individualized assessment, consulting with Caltech Accessibility Services and any other relevant parties to determine whether there are reasonable accommodations that would permit the student to continue to participate in the University community without taking a leave of absence. During the period of the assessment, interim restrictions on the student's ability to be on campus, attend classes, or participate in Institute programs and activities may be put into place. (See Emergency Leave)
The individualized, interactive assessment may include a request for information from the student's healthcare provider(s) regarding issues relevant and appropriate to the consideration of an involuntary leave of absence. If a student refuses to permit this information to be shared, or to respond within the timeframe set by the Dean, the Dean may proceed with the assessment based on information in the Dean's possession at the time.
The student will be advised in writing of the decision to impose an involuntary leave, if the Dean arrives at that decision. The Dean may stipulate conditions that must be met before the student may return. An involuntary leave may be a permanent separation from the Institute (i.e. expulsion); for a specific duration; or until certain conditions have been met. If the involuntary leave is not a permanent separation, the student will be advised of the length of the leave and/or any conditions for return.
If given available evidence, the Dean determines that a student's continued presence on campus is likely to pose an imminent and substantial risk to the safety and well-being of the student or the Caltech community, the Dean may place the student on an Emergency leave before a final determination about the student's ability to remain a member of the campus community is made. An Emergency leave is an interim restriction upon the student's ability to be on the Caltech campus, to attend classes, and to participate in Caltech activities and programs. The student will be informed of the Dean's decision in writing.
While the student is on Emergency leave, the Dean will engage in the interactive, individualized assessment process described in the Involuntary Leave policy, to determine whether the student should continue on Involuntary leave.
Expectations while on Involuntary Leave
A student placed on any type of involuntary leave is expected to remain away from campus during the duration of the leave. Requests for an exception to this policy should be discussed at the time of the leave decision, and a Petition to Participate While on Leave must be approved prior to any such participation. Failure to gain permission, and consequently being active on campus, will be taken into consideration when a student on involuntary leave applies to return.
How Do I Return from Involuntary Leave?
There are separate processes for returning from different types of involuntary leaves.
Students returning from a leave due to academic ineligibility must petition UASH.
Please view the Registrar's site for the deadlines to file UASH petitions.
Students returning from a BOC-related leave must complete the following process:
- Complete the petition to return from leave form
- Complete any assigned sanctions
- Meet with members of the Board, who will make a recommendation to the Dean or designee
Students returning from a leave related to CRC, deans' investigation, and/or Equity/Title IX must complete the following process:
- Complete the petition to return from leave form
- Complete any assigned sanctions
- Meet with the Director of Conduct and Community Standards and/or the Equity/Title IX coordinator, who will make a recommendation to the Dean or designee
Students returning from any other kind of involuntary leave must follow the process outlined below:
- Complete the petition to return from leave form
- The student will be contacted by the deans' office and asked for any information or documentation required