Frequently Asked Questions
- Question How does Title IX apply to pregnant and parenting students?
- Answer
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex–including pregnancy, parenting, and related conditions. Pregnancy protections also apply to pregnancy loss and termination. Pregnancy is not considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but Title IX requires that universities provide pregnant and parenting students with the same accommodations as similarly situated individuals with non-pregnancy related temporary disabilities.
- Question How do I request pregnancy accommodations?
- Answer
Pregnancy accommodations may be requested through the University’s Accessibility Services Office. You are responsible for obtaining necessary medical documentation from you provider outlining your medical limitations and needs. You will also need to meet with Accessibility Services staff to discuss what accommodations may be available. Accommodations cannot significantly alter the academic requirements for the program or course.
- Question Do my professors have to excuse my absences due to pregnancy?
- Answer
Yes. Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Your professors must excuse individual absences or provide you a leave of absence for as long as it is indicated by your medical provider. At the end of your leave, you must be reinstated to the status you had prior to your leave. After returning from an excused absence, your professors must allow a reasonable amount of time to make up missed assignments and tests. The makeup assignments and tests must be reasonably equivalent to those missed, but need not be identical. If a professor provides specific points or other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed due to pregnancy.
- Question If my program requires internships, career rotations, or other off-campus elements, can I be excluded from participation?
- Answer
No. Your program must allow you to continue participating in off-campus programs. If you program provides opportunities to work in the field, you cannot be excluded based on your pregnancy. Your professor cannot require a doctor’s note for continued participation unless your professor requires one for all students who have a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor.
- Question What if classmates or professors have made offensive comments to be about my pregnancy?
- Answer
Title IX requires the University to prevent and address sex-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. If you experience this sort of treatment, you are encouraged to submit a report HERE.