Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's “actual or potential" parental, family, or marital status or “pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom." Generally speaking, this means that schools must give all individuals who might be, are, or have been pregnant (whether currently parenting or not) equal access to school programs and extracurricular activities. For the most part, compliance entails simply treating pregnant and parenting individuals in the same way that schools treat other individuals who are similarly able or unable to participate in school activities. Title IX also requires schools to prevent and address sex-based harassment, which includes harassment based on pregnancy. In addition to offering general protection, Title IX regulations detail how the law applies to a range of specific activities and policies that affect pregnant and parenting individuals. These regulations govern activities both in and outside of the classroom.
Pregnancy or related conditions
Defined as pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation, medical conditions related to those events, or recovery from those events.
Right to privacy
Office for Civil Rights is committed to maintaining the privacy of all individuals. Information about pregnancy and related conditions will be shared if there is a legitimate need to know. Information about pregnant students' requests for reasonable modifications will be shared with employees only to the extent necessary to provide reasonable modifications. Employees should not ask for medical documentation for any pregnancy or related condition.
Rights in Title IX
- You have equal access to classes and activities.
- The University/department cannot make you take time off if you don't want to. However, they must provide you with withdrawal/re-enrollment information should you choose to explore that option.
- The University/department must excuse your absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as a your doctor deems medically necessary.
- When you return, the University/department must allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status you had before you left.
- You cannot be excluded from a special program because you are pregnant or experiencing a related condition.
- The University/department cannot make you change your major or degree program because you are pregnant or experiencing a related condition. They also cannot force you to attend an alternate program, like an evening program.
- You can take part in activities for as long as you want. The University/department cannot stop you from joining clubs, going to events, or participating in research unless the same rules apply for all students who have a temporary medical condition.
- Any lactating student has the right to a clean and private lactation space on campus. A list of available lactation spaces is located on under “request support" or by contacting the Office for Civil Rights. If you do not see a convenient lactation space on this list, contact the Office for Civil Rights for an alternative arrangement.
- If you feel any of the above rights have been violated, please contact the Office for Civil Rights immediately.
Start Here
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under Title IX and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pregnant students are offered services and accommodations similar to those offered to other students who have a temporary medical condition. If you experience complications or other medical conditions related to your pregnancy, you can seek support and accommodations through the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of Accessibility. These offices will work with you to develop a plan around your pregnancy. Reasonable accommodations will be identified on an individual basis and where they do not pose an undue hardship.
You Can Do It!
Stay in school and meet your education and career goals.
- Stay in school and attend regular classes
Coordinate parenting responsibilities (postpartum and child medical appointments, lactation time and spaces, etc.) for birthing and non-birthing parents.
Create a plan to progress toward a degree despite absence due to childbirth
Coordinate healthcare provider’s recommendations with academic requirements
Access services like those provided to other students with temporary medical conditions
Maintain eligibility to participate in academic and extracurricular programs and activities
Request support for pregnancy related conditions
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 Accessibility 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 two private lactation spaces for individuals (students and employees) who are nursing, chest feeding or expressing breast milk. The current lactation spaces available include:
- 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.
Resources:
Sample Syllabus Language
The University of Findlay is committed to fostering and maintaining an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environment for pregnant and parenting individuals. If you are a student experiencing pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition(s), or are newly parenting, please visit the Office for Civil Rights website at https://www.findlay.edu/offices/student-affairs/civil-rights/ for resources, support, and assistance with reasonable modification requests (such as excused absences, extended deadlines, priority registration, and others).