Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes protections for pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. Please know that the University of Findlay and the Office for Civil Rights will not track student information regarding pregnancy loss or termination. Our records are for the purposes of tracking outreach and assistance provided, and will not reflect that an individual is seeking abortion or pregnancy termination. Our goal remains to assist individuals with access to the University's education program or activity. If you have experienced a recent pregnancy loss, termination, or miscarriage, you can still qualify for reasonable modifications under Title IX.
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to reasonable modifications under Title IX. Pregnant individuals are offered services and reasonable modifications similar to those offered to other individuals who have a temporary medical condition. If you experience complications or other medical conditions related to your pregnancy, you can seek support and reasonable modifications through the Office for Civil Rights. The office will work with you to develop a plan around your pregnancy. Reasonable modifications will be identified on an individual basis and where they do not pose an undue hardship. Students may also connect with any UF employee (faculty and staff), who can direct them to the Office for Civil Rights. Please see below for examples of support. Please note, employees should not ask students for documentation. Students should work directly with the Office for Civil Rights for assistance.
If the pregnancy related impairments substantially limit one or more major life functions, the Office for Civil Rights will refer the matter to the Office of Accommodation and Inclusion to identify any reasonable accommodations that meet course objectives and ensure equal access.
Employees (faculty & staff) experiencing pregnancy and related conditions may contact the Office for Civil Rights for information about rights and resources available. Employees may also connect with Human Resources.
Disclosure is voluntary, and employees are not required to report to the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator if the student does not want the pregnancy to be shared. However, employees are required to share contact information for the Office for Civil Rights with the student. It is the student’s choice to connect with the office to learn about their rights, protections, and to request reasonable modifications.
To ensure continued access to the University's education program or activity, reasonable modifications may include, but are not limited to:
- A larger desk
- A seat close to an exit
- Access to an elevator
- Breaks during class
- Incompletes in classes to allow you to complete assignments after birth or pregnancy termination or loss
- Alternative assignments to ensure safety (ex: not handling certain chemicals)
- Pregnancy-related absences, including flexible attendance
- Access to lactation space(s)
- Temporary parking changes
Lactation Spaces
The University offers three private lactation spaces for individuals (students and employees) who are nursing, chest feeding or expressing breast milk. The current lactation spaces available include:
- The OC3 House (212 Howard St)
- Old Main #306
- Brewer Center #222
On-campus work responsibility
If you are a student employee, please let the Office for Civil Rights know if there is a need for modifications to your on-campus job (such as sitting v. standing or exposure to chemicals), and the office will work with your campus supervisor to review available options.
Employees (faculty & staff) should contact Human Resources for support with any workplace modifications.
Housing Support
The University may be able to assist with housing-related adjustments while a student is pregnant. The University of Findlay does not offer family housing services but can provide recommendations for local community resources if an individual needs assistance.