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Pregnant & Parenting Students

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a Federal Civil Rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities, including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic and other programs/activities of the College. This prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students. At Cedar Crest College, any form of sex discrimination is prohibited. If a complainant chooses to move forward with a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will facilitate a Title IX investigation. If you have been harassed or discriminated against related to your pregnancy, you can submit a report online or contact the Title IX Coordinator at .

Although pregnancy itself is not a disability, pregnant persons may have impairments related to their pregnancies that qualify as disabilities under the American with Disabilities Act (1990). It is the procedure of Cedar Crest College to provide individualized reasonable accommodations to the students who have pregnancy related disabilities, including recovery from childbirth.

To receive these modifications/accommodations please complete the Modification Request Form. Once the form has been received the Title IX Coordinator in conjunction with the Director of Accessibility Services will review the request. At that time someone from the Dean’s Office will reach out to the student to further discuss the options that are available.

Cedar Crest College may request documentation of the temporary disability, and it is the student’s responsibility to work with their private physician prior to the provision of services. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and is based on information provided by the student.

Pregnant students & faculty with pregnant students in their courses

The most effective way to ensure a successful semester during pregnancy is by having open communication between pregnant students and faculty. Upon the students’ request, the Title IX Coordinator can send a letter to faculty, that serves as an opening for conversation in which the student and each individual faculty can discuss course obligations and options. The letter also provides a reminder about the protections afforded to pregnant students under Title IX.

Faculty: if you receive a pregnancy notification, please work with the student to plan a successful way for the student to complete the semester. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator to consult about complicated matters.

What protections do pregnant students have?

  • Students should work with their professors to make up coursework missed due to pregnancy, childbirth, or any related conditions.
  • The benefits and services provided to pregnant students are no less than those provided to students with temporary medical conditions.
  • Class absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, or recovery cannot be penalized.

Do I need to notify Cedar Crest College that I am pregnant or parenting?
No, you don’t need to notify and College official that you are pregnant. However, you are encouraged to communicate with each of your faculty members about your plans and contact the Title IX Coordinator about any accommodations that you may need.

I feel like my faculty are not accommodating my request. What should I do?
If you have provided the professor with either an accommodation letter from Student Accessibility Services or a modification letter from the Dean of Students Office and you are not receiving the accommodations/modifications, please call 610-606-4628 or complete this form and you will be put in contact with the Title IX Coordinator.

I had pregnancy related complications. Can I request accommodations?
In certain situations, pregnancy-related complications may be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), entitling the student to a reasonable accommodation. Please contact Student Accessibility Services for medical related accommodations resulting from pregnancy.

I am a student athlete and I am pregnant or parenting. Do I need to quit the team?
No, you do not need to quit the team. Pregnant student-athletes can continue to participate in a limited manner on the team, including all team-related activities, unless the student-athlete’s physician or other medical caregiver certifies that partial participation is not medically safe. It is strongly encouraged that you communicate with the Athletic Training staff if you are pregnant.

How can I best support a pregnant student?
When a pregnancy is disclosed to you, please remember you are required to provide the student with Title IX Information. Pregnancy & Parenting Resource brochures have been provided to each of your areas to assist with this. Additionally, ask the student what they would require to be successful moving forward during the semester. Creating an open line of communication is the best way to support your pregnant students. Encourage students to Contact the Dean of Student’s Office to have further conversations and to complete the Modification Request Form.

My student did not inform me of their pregnancy and now they are requesting accommodations. Am I still required to provide accommodations without prior notice?
You may provide accommodations/modifications without notice from the Dean of Student’s Office. Students should be encouraged, however, to contact the Dean of Student’s Office so that accommodations/modifications are consistent across classes.

Possible Accommodations (can this be a click and expand drop down)

Students who are or have experienced complications (permanent or temporary) related to pregnancy or childbirth may request reasonable accommodations/modifications. The non-exhaustive list below provides examples of accommodations/modifications that may be afforded to students depending on their unique situation. To ensure accommodations/modifications, student must contact the Dean of Student’s Office.

Accommodation Type Examples of who may benefit What it provides How to enact it
Excused Absences Those with morning sickness, complications, delivery, postpartum depression, etc. Protects students from penalization for missing class because of pregnancy-related issues. Students with this accommodation should communicate as soon as they know they will be absent and contact the Title IX Coordinator if absences are becoming frequent.
Breaks Those who have difficulty sitting or standing for long periods. Those who need to pump. Time to step out of class, lab, or site to meet one’s needs. Students will work with instructors to identify how to take a break in the least disruptive way.
Extended Time on Assignments Those who are having difficulties during their pregnancy and that are impeding their ability to get schoolwork done. Extra time to complete an assignment. Students will work with the Title IX Coordinator, Student Accessibility Services, and their faculty.
Food/Water in Class Those who need to eat or drink in a class where it is otherwise prohibited. An opportunity to either eat/drink in class or step out to do so. Students will work with instructors to identify how to utilize this accommodation in the safest and least disruptive way.
Chair/Table Students, who due to their pregnancy, require a separated chair/desk space to provide adequate space for their abilities. A moveable chair separate from a desk. Students can make a furniture request by utilizing this form.
Access to Missed Work, Exams, Lectures, etc. Students who miss any of these due to their pregnancy, complications, or delivery. Access to complete their course. Students will work with the Title IX Coordinator, Student Accessibility Services, and their faculty.
Extra Time on Exams Students who may have needs or demands from pregnancy that cause disruption for them during exams. Extra time to accommodate the unexpected demands of pregnancy. Students will work with the Title IX Coordinator, Student Accessibility Services, and their faculty.

There are two federal laws that may require an Cedar Crest College to accommodate a pregnant employee: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  If someone is temporarily unable to perform their job due to a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, Cedar Crest College or other covered entity must treat them the same way as it treats any other temporarily disabled employee.

The PDA forbids employment discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth.  The law requires Cedar Crest College to treat a pregnant employee who is temporarily unable to perform or is limited in performing the functions of her job because of pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition in the same manner as it treats other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work.  Under the PDA, a covered employer is responsible for making job-related modifications (or accommodations) for pregnant workers when the employer does so for other employees who are similarly limited in their ability to perform job functions.  For example, an employer with a policy of accommodating most non-pregnant employees with lifting limitations would be required to also accommodate pregnant employees with lifting limitations. A change in duties can include for example, light duty, alternative assignments, additional breaks, or unpaid leave.

The ADA requires Cedar Crest College to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities so long as doing so does not impose an undue hardship on the College.

Although pregnancy alone is not a disability under the ADA, many pregnancy-related conditions are disabilities that the College may have to accommodate under the ADA.  An employee with a pregnancy-related disability under the ADA may also qualify for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) provides workers with state-level protection against pregnancy discrimination and retaliation.  This statute is like the federal PDA.

Employees who need assistance with seeking accommodation or in filing a complaint should contact Kim Alarcon at 610-606-4666 ext. 3584.