Student Conduct Sanctions
Understanding Sanctions
Sanctioning for student conduct violations is intended to address the nature of the policy violation while providing students the opportunity for growth and learning by reflecting on behavior and addressing harm caused as a result of their actions.
Possible sanctions following a resolution meeting include a warning, educational sanction, restorative sanction, fine, or restitution owed to the Institute for property damage. These sanctions may be assigned by the student affairs staff member who oversees the resolution meeting. Any sanction that involves repayment to others, loss of privileges, probation, or a change of enrollment status can only be assigned by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies following the conclusion of a Conduct Review Committee or Dean's Investigation process.
In the Conduct Review Committee process and Dean's Investigation process, the CRC or Director of Conduct and Community Standards will make sanction recommendations to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies or the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs. Sanction recommendations will take into account the seriousness of the policy violation, severity of the incident, sanctioning precedent for similar violations, the student's past conduct history, and aggravating or mitigating factors specific to the incident. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies makes the final decision in determining sanctions for individuals; the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, for student organizations and Houses.
A warning is issued at the conclusion of a conduct process to document a finding of responsibility for a policy violation. Warning letters also convey that subsequent violations of campus policies may lead to more serious sanctions.
Restorative sanctions are assigned to address and repair harm caused as a result of a conduct violation. Examples of restorative sanctions include completing a community service assignment, writing an apology letter, or participating in a mediated conversation.
Educational sanctions are assigned to address and correct the conduct violation through deeper learning opportunities. Educational sanctions may include completing educational modules, writing a reflective essay, developing community resources, meeting with Institute staff, or referral to campus resources.
Fines are assigned in limited cases of policy violations that pose a risk to the health and safety of members of the Caltech community. These cases include:
- Failure to complete educational sanctions: $50 each violation
- Fire safety violations: $250 for a first violation; $500 for subsequent violations. Fire safety violations include misuse of or damage to fire safety equipment, including but not limited to exit signs, fire extinguishers, and fire alarms.
- Unauthorized access: $500 for a first violation; $1000 for subsequent violations. Unauthorized access violations that carry a fine include entry or presence onto the rooftop of any building, steam tunnels, wall and roof cavities, and other spaces where authorized access is limited to approved personnel.
Restitution may be assigned in cases when it is necessary to reimburse an individual, organization, House, or the Institute for damage to or loss of property.
Loss of privileges may be assigned to limit a student's participation on campus. This could include, but is not limited to, restrictions to being on campus or accessing specific spaces on campus, removal from leadership positions, limitation on participation in student organizations or activities, removal from housing, or relocation to another housing assignment. This sanction may be applied for a specific amount of time or, as a result of more serious conduct violations, indefinitely.
Disciplinary probation is assigned for a designated period of time and indicates that the student is not in good standing with the Institute. This status indicates that further violations of Institute policy or noncompliance with other assigned sanctions will result in additional and more serious sanctions, including involuntary leave or permanent separation.
Suspension requires an involuntary leave of absence from Caltech for a designated period of time. A student on involuntary leave may not be on campus or participate in any aspect of Institute life, including but not limited to classes, research, club and co-curricular activities, campus events, housing, and employment. A student serving a suspension must apply for reinstatement through the Undergraduate Deans' Office prior to the term for which they are eligible to return.
Deferred suspension may be assigned in cases when the conduct violation is significant enough to warrant an involuntary leave but, by the determination of the Director of Conduct and Community Standards or Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the respondent may be permitted to remain on campus. Deferred suspension is assigned for a designated period of time in conjunction with disciplinary probation. Students on deferred suspension are not considered to be in good standing at the Institute. If a student serving a deferred suspension is found responsible for another violation of Institute policy during that period, the sanction of involuntary leave will be imposed.
Permanent separation is the permanent termination of an individual's status as a student (expulsion). The respondent will no longer retain the rights and privileges of being a student at Caltech and will not be eligible to return to the Institute as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
Withholding of degree may be applied in cases when a student is involved in an unresolved conduct process in which the recommended sanction may include involuntary leave, deferred suspension, or permanent separation. Withholding of degree may also be applied in cases when a student is required to serve a term or more of involuntary leave following the conclusion of their last term of study.