Pregnant and Parenting Students
Title IX and New York State laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and related conditions.
Pregnant and parenting students must receive the same access to educational programs, activities, and education opportunities that are available to other students.
“Pregnancy-related conditions” are the full spectrum of processes and events connected with pregnancy, including pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; related medical conditions; and recovery therefrom.
Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related conditions, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the student and inform the student of the University’s obligations to:
- Prohibit sex discrimination.
- Provide reasonable modifications.
- Allow access, on a voluntary basis, to any separate and comparable portion of the institution’s education program or activity.
- Allow a voluntary leave of absence.
- Ensure lactation space availability.
- Maintain a Resolution Process for alleged discrimination.
- Treat pregnancy as comparable to other temporary medical conditions for medical benefit, service, plan, or policy purposes.
Title IX requires a school to provide the same special services to a student who is pregnant or is experiencing related conditions that it provides to students with temporary medical conditions.
Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to Reasonable Modifications to prevent sexual misconduct and ensure equal access to the University’s education program and activity.
Any student seeking Reasonable Modifications must contact the Title IX Coordinator or their Designee to discuss appropriate and available Reasonable Modifications based on their individual needs.
- Breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom
- Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
- Access to online or homebound education
- Changes in schedule or course sequence
- Time extensions for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations
- Allowing a student to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby
- Counseling
- Restroom or other breaks during class as needed
- Continued participation in classes and other activities during pregnancy
- Options for making up missed work
- Changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest)
- Elevator access
- A larger uniform or other required clothing or equipment
- Other changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Title IX Coordinator
Students are encouraged to request Reasonable Modifications as promptly as possible, although retroactive modifications may be available in some circumstances. Reasonable Modifications are voluntary, and a student can accept or decline the offered Reasonable Modifications. Not all Reasonable Modifications are appropriate for all contexts.
To request supportive measures for pregnant or parenting students please reach out to Title IX staff at titleix@rochester.edu