Pregnancy and Parenting

Compliance

Troy University is obligated to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., Title IX is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities.

All public and private schools, school districts, colleges, and universities such as Troy University receiving any Federal funds (“schools”) must comply with Title IX.

Troy University is committed to create an environment that is accessible, welcoming and inclusive of pregnant and parenting students. Students may request reasonable accommodations as outline below for pregnancy and parenting. If you have any questions, please contact the campus Title IX Coordinator at the address or number below.

Below are some things you should know about your rights as outlined by the US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.

Classes and School Activities

Troy University MUST:

Allow you to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities even though you are pregnant. This means that you can still participate in advanced placement and honors classes, school clubs, sports, honor societies, student leadership opportunities, and other activities, like after-school programs operated at the school.
- Allow you to choose whether you want to participate in special instructional programs or classes for pregnant students. You can participate if you want to, but your school cannot pressure you to do so. The alternative program must provide the same types of academic, extracurricular and enrichment opportunities as your school's regular program.
Allow you to participate in classes and extracurricular activities even though you are pregnant and not require you to submit a doctor's note unless your school requires a doctor's note from all students who have a physical or emotional condition requiring treatment by a doctor. Your school also must not require a doctor's note from you after you have been hospitalized for childbirth unless it requires a doctor's note from all students who have been hospitalized for other conditions.
Provide you with reasonable adjustments, like a larger desk, elevator access, or allowing you to make frequent trips to the restroom, when necessary because of your pregnancy.

Excused Absences and Medical Leave

Troy University MUST:

Excuse absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.
Allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began, which should include giving you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out.
Ensure that faculty members understand the Title IX requirements related to excused absences/medical leave. Your faculty may not refuse to allow you to submit work after a deadline you missed because of pregnancy or childbirth. If your teacher's grading is based in part on class participation or attendance and you missed class because of pregnancy or childbirth, you should be allowed to make up the participation or attendance credits you didn't have the chance to earn.
Provide pregnant students with the same special services it provides to students with temporary medical conditions. This includes homebound instruction/at-home tutoring /independent study.

Accommodations you may request:

Providing a larger desk
Allowing breaks during class, as needed
Permitting temporary parking
Rescheduling tests and exams
Excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions
Submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth

Providing alternatives to make up missed work
Permitting a reasonable time for nursing and access to lactation spaces
Allowing excused absences for parenting students (both male and female) who need to take their children to medical appointments or to take care of their sick children

Helpful Tips

Ask your school for help—meet with your University's Title IX Coordinator or counselor regarding what your school can do to support you in continuing your education.
Keep notes about your pregnancy-related absences, any instances of harassment and your interactions with University officials about your pregnancy, and immediately report problems to your University's Title IX Coordinator, counselor, or other staff.

Pregnant students will be allowed to make up any work missed due to medically necessary absences for pregnancy. Students will be offered acceptable arrangements to make up missed work. The student will not be required to complete make up work until the student's medically necessary absences for pregnancy are completed.

File a Complaint

If you feel your school is discriminating against you because you are pregnant or parenting you may file a complaint:
- Using the University's internal Title IX grievance procedures.
- With the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), even if you have not filed a complaint with the University. If you file with OCR, make sure you do so within 180 days of when the discrimination took place.
- In court, even if you have not filed a complaint with the University or with OCR.

Contact the Title IX Coordinator or the OCR if you have any questions. We are here to help make sure all students, including pregnant and parenting students, have equal educational opportunities!

If you want to learn more about your rights, or if you believe that the University is violating Federal law, you may contact the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, at (800) 421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov. If you wish to fill out a complaint form online, you may do so at: http://www.ed.gov/ocr/complaintintro.html or by contacting the University Title IX Coordinator, Grace Wagstaff at (334) 808-6403 or gwagstaff@troy.edu.

Information for Students

How can I request pregnancy or parenting related accommodations?

Pregnant and parenting students should submit a request for accommodations by filling out the online form. Someone from the Title IX Office will contact you to discuss your pregnancy or parenting needs. You will need to submit supporting documentation (i.e. letter from your doctor) with your request for accommodations.

What types of accommodations can I request?

Students will be provided reasonable accommodations based upon their pregnancy and parenting related needs. Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Some examples of accommodations may include:

Providing a larger desk.
Allowing breaks during class, as needed.
Permitting temporary faculty/staff parking.
Rescheduling tests or exams.
Excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions.
Submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth. *
Providing alternatives to make up missed work.
Permitting a reasonable time for nursing and access to lactation spaces.
Allowing excused absences for parenting students (both male and female) who need to take their children to medical appointments or to take care of their sick children.

*Pregnant students will be allowed to make up any work missed due to medically necessary absences for pregnancy. Students will be offered acceptable alternative arrangements to make up missed work. The student will not be required to complete make up work until the student's medically-necessary absences for pregnancy are completed.

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

Students are not required to inform anyone of their pregnancy or parenting status. However, Troy University aims to create an environment that encourages students to share this information with the Title IX Office, so that the University can provide the proper support and assistance

Can pregnant students be penalized for absences, if grades are based upon attendance?

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

Are there any designated areas on campus for mothers to address breastfeeding related needs?

No, but provisions will be made upon request.

How can I report harassment or discrimination due to pregnancy or parenting?

Troy University prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex. Pregnant or parenting students who believe they have been discriminated against or harassed because of a qualifying condition may file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator by clicking on the link provided below to report a Title IX incident.

Title IX Pregnancy and Parenting Accomadations FORM

Information for Faculty and Staff

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 Pregnancy and Parenting accommodation form located on the Title IX webpage.

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

We excuse all medically necessary absences for pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery. This includes doctor appointments. Via the Title IX Office, faculty members should excuse those absences deemed medically necessary by the appropriate medical professional. Students should be referred to the Title IX Office for the purpose of documenting medical needs.

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

Faculty cannot ask for doctor's notes. Please refer the student to the Title IX office for documentation and support.

What do reasonable accommodations look like for a pregnant student?

Reasonable accommodations could be allowing frequent bathroom breaks, a larger desk or different chair if needed. The length of time needed for medically required absences can vary depending on the student's situation.