Enrolled Students

Caltech Enrolled Students, Minors

College campus is a space for people of all ages who engage with the campus community at all times of the year. There are children at the children's center, students in residential halls, and neighbors at the public events. We try to welcome them all.

When it comes to minors, we use best practices to guide our work, and we implement policies to ensure their safety and protect their well-being. These policies are not intended to discourage minors from college seeking, attendance, research or engagement, but to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, including those under the age of 18.

Please review the policies and protocols listed below:

What is a Minor on Campus?

Minors who are enrolled at the Institute are NOT considered minors under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines. They have the right to privacy regarding their educational records, even if they are under the age of 18. These rights belong to the student and not their parents or guardians.

Policies on Campus

Guest Policy: Residents may have an overnight guest for a maximum of three (3) nights per month. Guests may only stay on campus for a maximum of three (3) nights per month. The Institute has the right to rescind or adjust the guest policy at any time.

Policy on Minimum Age for On-Campus Housing for Undergraduate Students: In Fall 2024, Caltech enacted a minimum age policy for students living on campus. You must be 17 years of age by October 1 of the year you matriculate to live in on-campus housing during your first year at Caltech.Other than the on-campus housing experience, students who are admitted to Caltech who will not be 17 by October 1 are able to fully engage in the academic and co-curricular experience at Caltech, including becoming a social member of a House. If you will be 17 by October 1 of your second year at Caltech, you will be eligible for on-campus housing that year.

Athletics: Athletics is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all minors who interact with our facilities and programs. This includes visitors attending sporting events, participants in our sports camps and intramural leagues, students from the Polytechnic School who use our facilities, and minor children of members who access our spaces. We maintain clear supervision protocols and follow university guidelines to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. All staff and volunteers working with minors are trained in appropriate conduct and supervision standards to support a positive experience for every child and youth in our care.

Caltech Events: The Caltech Student Event Planning & Registration Handbook outlines policies regarding campus events and includes waiver information for minors. For more information, contact Student and Family Engagement.

DiscoTech: DiscoTech is an admitted undergraduate student program; for all admitted students attending the program, Admissions requires the following documents: Parent Waiver for Admissions Programs and Emergency Contact Information Form, regardless of the attendees age.Summer Conferences: Minors (under the age of 18) can only be housed through a Caltech sponsored program. Additional information can be found through the Center for Teaching, Learning & Outreach.

Parents

Parent Notification: Enrolled Students

Title IX & Consent for Minors

Please see Caltech Title IX Office.

Emergencies

In case of an emergency with your family or at the Institute, please call Caltech Security at 626-395-5000. For non-emergencies such as thefts, requesting a security escort, lock-outs, etc. you may call 626-395-4701.If you need a welfare check, please let the Security Office know of your concern and the circumstance that led to your concern. Security will work with the On-Call team to locate and connect with the students and make sure they connect with you. If there is an emergency at home and you need your student to respond, please let Caltech Security know so they can find your student or child at campus and have them connect with you.
Youth Programs Emergency Information
Important Phone Numbers and Contact Information

Medical Care

Minors on campus are entitled to confidentiality protections in line with state laws, which include limits on disclosing health information without their consent. They may independently consent to certain services—such as reproductive health care, mental health treatment, and care related to substance use—depending on their age and the specific service. Policies and practices for medical care on campus are outlined here.