Pregnancy-Related Conditions
Antioch University is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students, where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Sex discrimination, which can include discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions, marital status, or parental status, is prohibited and illegal in admissions, educational programs and activities, hiring, leave policies, employment policies, and health insurance coverage.
Students interested in obtaining Academic Adjustments (Accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions under Title IX) are encouraged to reach out to the Title IX coordinator to learn about their rights as pregnant or parenting students.
University Title IX Coordinator:
Sarah Hellyar, JD
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (218) 209-1141
Reasonable Accommodations
Students have a right to reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and related conditions. Pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions include (but are not limited to) pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, conditions arising in connection with pregnancy, and recovery from any of these conditions. The term “parenting” usually refers to the raising of a child by its parents or other primary caregiver in the reasonably immediate post-partum period or within the first 12 months after the child enters the home.
An Academic Adjustment is a modification that allows a student with pregnancy-related conditions to benefit from a program or activity, where such an Academic Adjustment does not constitute a substantial change or fundamental alteration to an essential element of a course or program or pose an undue burden on the University. Academic Adjustments may include but are not limited to leaves of absence, excused absences, modified class schedules, lactation accommodations, alternative testing options, and modified class modality.
Lactation Accommodations
A student or employee may, at their discretion, express breast milk or breastfeed on campus as needed. While individuals are not prohibited from breastfeeding in public spaces, the University will make reasonable efforts to provide a private room or other location where the student or employee can express milk.
Please contact the University Title IX Coordinator for information about lactation rooms.
How to Request an Academic Adjustment
You may make a request for an Academic Adjustment to the Title IX Coordinator. A request for an accommodation should include:
- an explanation of why the person making the request requires an Academic Adjustment
- a description of the requested Academic Adjustment
- the expected duration of the Academic Adjustment (e.g., start and end dates)
Students who have a temporary disability caused or contributed to by a pregnancy-related condition are NOT required to notify the University. If students do not want to request Academic Adjustments due to pregnancy-related conditions, they may request an accommodation pursuant to the Disability Support Services Policy.
Coordinating Academic Adjustments for Pregnancy-Related Conditions
Upon receipt of a request for an Academic Adjustment, the Title IX coordinator will schedule a meeting with the student making the request. The student’s academic advisor or Program Chair may also attend this meeting to provide course-related guidance during the interactive process.
During the meeting, the student will discuss their request, and all parties will discuss potential Academic Adjustment options.
If the Title IX coordinator determines that the request is not reasonable or would not be effective, parties will discuss other alternative options. While students have a right to participate in a good-faith interactive process, they do not have a right to a specific Academic Adjustment if granting the requested Academic Adjustment constitutes a substantial change or fundamental alteration to an essential element of a course or program or poses an undue burden on the University.
Approval Process
The Title IX coordinator will assist students in determining whether an effective and reasonable Academic Adjustment exists. The university may request medical documentation from a healthcare provider to assist in the interactive process of determining an appropriate Academic Adjustment.
If an Academic Adjustment is approved, the Title IX Coordinator will send the student a written notification of approval. This notification will include a summary of the Academic Adjustment and the duration of the accommodation.
If a specific Academic Adjustment request is denied, the Title IX Coordinator will provide an explanation for the denial and instructions regarding how the student may dispute the decision to deny the specific Academic Adjustment.
Modification of Accommodation
If students need to modify an Academic Adjustment, they should notify the Title IX Coordinator.
Absences Related to Pregnancy and Parenting
While the university will not assume that a student with pregnancy-related conditions cannot attend school or participate in school activities, absences due to pregnancy-related conditions shall be excused for as long as the student’s doctor and the Title IX Coordinator deem them medically necessary.
Where possible, a student should request for an excused absence in advance of the missed class. Students will be given a reasonable opportunity to make up exams and coursework they missed during an approved absence. If a professor awards “points” for class attendance, students must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed because of pregnancy-related conditions.
Class Attendance and Participation in Activities
Students with pregnancy-related conditions will not be prevented from attending class because of their condition. As such, students may continue participating in activities and programs outside of class, such as extracurricular activities, labs, career rotations, and clinicals.
Scholarships
The university will not terminate or reduce merit or need-based scholarships because of pregnancy-related conditions.