Pregnant + Parenting Students FAQ

Title IX makes it illegal to discriminate because of sex, which includes discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. Title IX also ensures the right to take medically necessary leave and to be free of harassment, intimidation, or other discrimination because of pregnancy-related conditions.  

Stephens College is committed to creating a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students.

The College’s Pregnant and Parenting Students Policy prohibits discrimination in its educational programs and activities including academic, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities. 

Students may request reasonable accommodations as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. 

Information for Students

• How do I request accommodations?

Accommodation requests should be directed to the Title IX Office. The Title IX Coordinator will meet with the student to review the policy and discuss the pregnant or parenting individual's needs and may ask for documentation that supports the requested accommodations. 

The student may:

Submit a request form

Email: [email protected]

Call: (573) 876-7250

 

• What types of accommodations may I request?

Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Examples of accommodations may include:

• Excused absences for medical appointments or health issues
• Breaks during class as needed
• Opportunity to make up missed work, quizzes, projects, presentations, or exams or alternative assignments
• Extended deadlines
• Tutoring
• Independent study
• Alternate course delivery or completion path
• Ergonomic and assistive supports 
• Leave of absence with reinstatement to same status
• Incomplete grades
• No imposed limitations on studies or extracurriculars 

The Title IX Office will notify faculty of accommodations and may help to facilitate communications with the student’s instructors and/or assist with other campus resources.  

 

• Pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions may necessitate absences.  Will those absences be excused?

Yes. Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Depending on the length of the absence and area of instruction, it may be academically necessary for the student to take a leave of absence. The College must provide a leave of absence for pregnant students for as long as it is deemed necessary by their medical doctor. 

 

• What happens when a pregnant student misses assignments, tests, exams, etc. due to an excused absence?

After an excused absence due to pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions, faculty must allow a reasonable time for the student to make up missed assignments and tests. This is true regardless of the instructor’s typical makeup assignment policy. Depending on the nature of the course, making up the exact missed assignment might not be feasible. The makeup work does not have to be exactly the same as the missed work but needs to be reasonably equivalent.

 

• Can pregnant students be penalized for their absence if grades in a class are based on attendance or participation?  

A student may not be penalized for absences known to be due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. An instructor cannot reduce a pregnant student’s grade because of attendance or participation points that the student missed during excused absences due to their pregnancy-related conditions. The instructor must give the student a reasonable opportunity to earn back the credit missed due to pregnancy. 

 

• Can faculty prevent a pregnant student from attending class?

No. Under Title IX, faculty cannot exclude someone from class or class activities based on their pregnancy.  If there are potentially dangerous activities or chemicals utilized within a course, the student should consult with their medical professional to determine what is safe or unsafe for participation with their pregnancy and coordinate with faculty when alternative assignments are necessary.  

 

• Can a pregnant student participate in internships, clinicals, and other off-campus programs?

Yes. Pregnant students cannot be excluded from College-related off-campus programs, such as internships, clinicals, off-campus activities, College-sponsored activities, and other extracurricular activities. 

 

• Does the College have to provide special services to pregnant students?

The College must provide the same services to pregnant students that it provides to other students with temporary disabilities.

 

• Am I required to tell anyone about my pregnancy or parenting status?

Students are not required to inform faculty, staff or any member of the administration of their pregnancy or parenting status unless they are seeking accommodations and support. Stephens College wishes to create an environment that encourages voluntary sharing of this information, so that the College can provide support for the physical and mental health of the student.  Information shared with the Title IX Office will only be shared on a limited and need-to-know basis with faculty or staff providing support and accommodations.  All medical information will remain confidential.  

 

• What if a student or faculty member makes an offensive or inappropriate remark about a student’s pregnancy?  

The College will not tolerate gender-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy and related conditions. If a pregnant student experiences harassment based on their pregnancy, they should let the Title IX Office know immediately so that it can take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end pregnancy-related harassment, prevent its recurrence, and eliminate any hostile environment created by the harassment. 

Title IX prohibits a school’s retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint or raising concerns about the rights of a pregnant and parenting student.

 

Information for Faculty about Student Accommodations

• What do I do if a student tells me they're pregnant?

Ask them if they need any accommodations, and if they have met with the Title IX Coordinator. If they have not, refer them to the Title IX Office.

The student may:

Submit a request form

Email: [email protected]

Call: (573) 876-7250

Faculty may also send questions or concerns to the Title IX Office.

 

• What do I do if a student tells me they need to miss class due to a pregnancy?

Federal law and College Policy requires excuse for all medically necessary absences for pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery. This includes doctors appointments. Students should be referred to the Title IX Office for the purpose of verifying and documenting medical needs.  Faculty should not ask students directly for medical notes or documentation.  

 

• What do reasonable accommodations for a pregnant student look like?

Reasonable accommodations could be allowing frequent bathroom breaks, a larger desk or different chair if needed. Students may need extended deadlines or alternative course delivery.  The number and length of time needed for medically required absences can vary depending on the student's situation.

 

• What do reasonable accommodations for a parenting student look like?

Students may need independent study or tutoring, incomplete grades, and opportunities to make up missed work following leaves of absence.  Parenting students may need reasonable time for nursing and access to lactation rooms.  

 

• Can I ask a student to prove they're pregnant or provide a doctor's note?

Faculty cannot ask students for doctor’s notes or any other proof of pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions. Please refer the student or direct questions to the Title IX Office for support and registration for accommodations.

 

• What if faculty member makes an offensive or inappropriate remark about a student’s pregnancy?  

Faculty and staff should not make offensive or inappropriate remarks about a student’s pregnancy.  If a faculty or staff member witnesses or learns about harassment of a pregnant student by an employee or student, they should immediately notify the Title IX Office so that it can take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end pregnancy-related harassment, prevent its recurrence, and eliminate any hostile environment created by the harassment. 

Title IX prohibits a school’s retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint or raising concerns about the rights of a pregnant and parenting student.

 

Resources for More Information 

U.S. Department of Education - Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students 

The Pregnant Scholar - Title IX Basics 

National Women's Law Center - Pregnant and Parenting Students' Rights