Pregnancy and Parenting Support

Title IX prohibits discrimination and harassment against any student or employee on the basis of sex, including pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Under Title IX, students, faculty and staff who are pregnant or experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational and employment opportunities.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification to the academic environment or workplace that enables an individual to fully access educational and employment programs and activities. For employees, reasonable accommodations must be provided unless they impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business.

Student Accommodations

Examples of accommodations may include:

  • Excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions
  • Submitting classwork after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or related conditions
  • Providing alternatives to make up missed classwork
  • Rescheduling tests or exams
  • Temporary parking in a closer location
  • Temporary access to elevators
  • Access to lactation rooms
  • Additional breaks
  • Purchasing or modifying equipment (chairs, desk, floor mats, etc.)

A pregnant student must be allowed to make up any work missed due to medically necessary absences related to pregnancy. Acceptable alternative arrangements will be offered, and the student will not be required to complete make-up work until the medically necessary absences are complete.

A student who has a chronic medical condition as a result of a pregnancy should request accommodations from Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Faculty/Staff Accommodations

Examples of accommodations may include:

  • Additional, longer, or more flexible breaks to drink water, eat, rest or use the restroom
  • Modifying food or drink policies to allow for a water bottles or snacks
  • Adjusting equipment, devices, or workstations, (e.g. providing a stool or sit-stand options)
  • Modifying uniforms or dress codes; providing appropriately fitting safety gear
  • Telework options
  • Temporary reassignment
  • Temporary suspension of one or more essential job functions
  • Light duty or assistance with lifting or manual labor
  • Access to lactation rooms
  • Temporary parking in a closer location

HOW DO I REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PREGNANCY? 

Accommodation Request Process:

  1. The student/employee completes the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
  2. The student/employee confirms their Official Job Description and/or class schedule with the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX.
  3. The student/employee provides their healthcare provider with Official Job Description and/or class schedule and the Healthcare Provider Form.
  4. All forms are returned by fax to:

Division of Student Life
Office of Gender Equity & Title IX
Kent Student Center – Suite 250
Fax: 330-672-2600 

Once all required documentation is received, a staff member from the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX will contact you and your direct supervisor/professor(s) to explain next steps and to begin the interactive process for implementing accommodations.