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Pregnancy and Parenting for Students

Pregnant and Parenting Students: Accommodations and Resources

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) is committed to providing an educational environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of pregnant and parenting status in accordance with Texas Education Code, Section 51.982 and other applicable laws, including Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including pregnancy discrimination) in education programs or activities; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability (including disabilities based on temporary medical conditions from pregnancy); and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public schools such as institutions of higher education.

If a student is a pregnant or parenting student (with a child under the age of one who needs documented medical care) and wishes to request reasonable related accommodations from the University, the student can work with the Title IX office for reasonable accommodations which have protections under Federal law.

Under the HB 1361, each institution must designate at least one employee to act as a liaison officer for current or incoming students at the institution who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. The liaison officer is responsible for providing HSC students with information regarding support services and other resources available at HSC.

Under SB 412, each institution must adopt and post a policy on pregnancy and parenting discrimination. Please click here to access HSC Policy 7.106 Student Pregnancy and Parenting Nondiscrimination Policy.

Students may request resources and/or reasonable accommodations as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions through the Pregnancy and Parenting form. Each submission is reviewed by the HSC Title IX Coordinator and the designated Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison Officer to determine what accommodations may be reasonable to assist the student and to provide the student with resources.

Key Contact Information:

Information for Students

Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Examples of accommodations may include:

  • a larger desk;
  • breaks during class, as needed;
  • permitting temporary access to elevators;
  • rescheduling tests or exams;
  • excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions;
  • submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth;
  • providing alternatives to make up missed work;
  • allowing excused absences for parenting students (both male and female) who need to take their children to medical appointments or to take care of their sick children

A pregnant student will be allowed to make up any work missed due to medically necessary absences for pregnancy. A student will be offered acceptable alternative arrangements to make up missed work. The student will not be required to complete make up work until the student’s medically necessary absences for pregnancy are completed.

Students must apply for accommodations through the Title IX Coordinator and Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison for HSC by completing the Pregnancy and Parenting form. Accommodations are not retroactive.

Students can submit the Pregnancy and Parenting form to apply for accommodations or request connection to support services. Each submission is reviewed by the HSC Title IX Coordinator and the designated Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison Officer, who will collaborate with the appropriate academic college/program and to make reasonable accommodations and relevant support services, when applicable.

Accommodations are NOT retroactive, so please fill out the request as soon as possible.

Students are not required to inform faculty, staff or any member of the administration of their pregnancy or parenting status, unless they are seeking accommodations, support services, or self-disclosing. HSC wishes to create an environment that encourages voluntary sharing of this information in order to provide students with holistic and comprehensive support services.

It is important to note that accommodations may not be retroactive. If you would like to discuss your options, please reach out to the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison (Emily.Mire@unthsc.edu) or the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@unthsc.edu.

If you are the father/other parent of a new baby and you are performing parenting activities within the first year of your child’s life, you can apply for accommodations. If you have absences related to parenting, then your child’s doctor must certify your absences were medically necessary by completing the Pregnancy and Parenting form.

If you’re an expectant father/other parent, you may be excused from class to attend prenatal doctor visits if you apply for accommodations via the Pregnancy and Parenting form and submit relevant documentation.

Additionally, the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison can help connect you to resources and services.

If you have any questions regarding your rights as a pregnant or parenting student, please contact the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison (Emily.Mire@unthsc.edu) or the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@unthsc.edu.

Information for Faculty and Staff

Pregnant and parenting students have rights under both federal and state laws. Students can contact the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison (Emily.Mire@unthsc.edu) or the HSC Title IX Coordinator at titleix@unthsc.edu to learn more. Additionally, students may request accommodations or connection to resources by submitting the Pregnancy and Parenting form.

It is important that pregnant and parenting students are treated equally as other students. Please direct students to the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison (Emily.Mire@unthsc.edu) or the HSC Title IX Coordinator at titleix@unthsc.edu to learn more. Additionally, students may request accommodations or connection to resources by submitting the Pregnancy and Parenting form. Instructors will be notified about reasonable accommodations that should be made based on pregnancy and parenting.

Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Examples of accommodations may include:

  • a larger desk;
  • breaks during class, as needed;
  • permitting temporary access to elevators;
  • rescheduling tests or exams;
  • excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions;
  • submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth;
  • providing alternatives to make up missed work;
  • allowing excused absences for parenting students (both male and female) who need to take their children to medical appointments or to take care of their sick children

A pregnant student will be allowed to make up any work missed due to medically necessary absences for pregnancy. A student will be offered acceptable alternative arrangements to make up missed work. The student will not be required to complete make up work until the student’s medically necessary absences for pregnancy are completed.

The Title IX office and/or the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison works with each student on a case by case basis to best accommodate the student under the law.

Students must apply for accommodations through the Title IX Coordinator and Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison for HSC by completing the Pregnancy and Parenting form. Accommodations are not retroactive.

The Title IX office would highly advise against this since there are protections under state and federal laws that protect students. Students can contact the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison (Emily.Mire@unthsc.edu) or the HSC Title IX Coordinator at titleix@unthsc.edu to learn more. Additionally, students may request accommodations, connection to resources, and submit documentation by submitting the Pregnancy and Parenting form.

This page was last modified on April 3, 2024