Pregnancy/Parental support information

 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, which includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students and employees. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) also prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions against employees. These laws make it unlawful to discriminate because of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, and related conditions including recovery from pregnancy.

Employees and students who also experience serious health conditions that constitute a disability arising from pregnancy or from aggravation of an existing impairment due to pregnancy may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Florida Atlantic University is required to provide pregnancy support resources to pregnancy and parents students and employees, which may include the right to take necessary leave, receive reasonable modifications to academic and employment arrangments, and be free from harassment, intimidation, and acts of discrimination because of pregnancy and parenting related conditions.

 

What types of supportive measures/modifications may a pregnant student or employee request? 

  • Temporary parking modification
  • Modified work schedule
  • Excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions
  • Extending classwork deadlines/Modifying make up policies/Rescheduling exams
  • Access to lactation rooms
  • Utilizing modified equipment and devices (i.e., chairs, desks, floor mats, etc.)

 

Student Pregnancy and Related Conditions Considerations

Faculty members must be mindful regarding these Title IX provision concerning pregnancy.

  • It is unlawful to exclude a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational program (applies extracurricular activities, sports, student leadership).
  • Special instructional programs or classes for pregnant students are allowed, but participation must be completely voluntary on the part of the student (programs must be comparable to those offered to other students).
  • Absences because of pregnancy or childbirth MUST be excused (it is allowed to require a doctor's note, so long as a doctor's note is required of all students for medical related reasons).
  • Any special services provided to students for "temporary medical conditions" MUST be provided to a pregnat student (i.e., online courses, medical withdrawal,etc.).
  • The student MUST be allowed to return to same academic and extracurricular status as before the pregnancy or related condition.
Faculty members who have questions about pregnancy support measures, should contact OCR9 at 561-297-3004 immediately for guidance and assistance. 

 

Employee Pregnancy and Related Conditions Considerations
University Employees with one or more years of continuous services shall be provided with up to six months unpaid parental leave. 

Also, University Employees may utilized FMLA leave. For more information about Parental Leave, visit Employee Relations at www.fau.edu/hr/employee-relations or email emprels@fau.edu for additional assistance.

 

How to request Pregnancy Support Resources?
Students seeking pregnancy support resources who do have medically related symptoms that are consider medical disabilities should follow these steps:
  •  Meet with your academic advisor when registering for classes and make them aware about your pregnancy.
  • Once you have registered for classes, contact OCR9 at accommodate@fau.edu and provide the following information
    • Medical proof of your pregnancy or parenting needs dated within the current semester
    • Your current class schedule with your course professors' name and email.
    • Identify any special modifications you may need, (i.e., eating in the class, extended bathroom breaks, exam modifications, etc.).
    • Any additional supporting documentation you believe may be helpful.
  • OCR9 will notify your professors to provide you with pregnancy and parenting support resources. 
  • Notify your professors about your pregnancy. If you expect to have or already have scheduled appointments for pregnancy related issues, provide your professors with these dates.
  • Plan to meet with you professors to discuss class modifications you expect may be needed to support you during the pregnancy. Common examples of pregnancy support include: amending attendance policy, excusing absences, making up assignments, alternative classroom seating, extended breaks, eating during class, alternative exam dates, or modifying the course modality.  
  • If you experience unexpected situations such as absences, hospitalizations, ordered on bed rest, or post pregnancy medical issues, immediately notify your professors and copy OCR9 via email as soon as possible. Also contact Student Accessibility Services for medical related disability assistance at www.fau.edu/sas/about/contact-us/ or call 561-297-3880. Try to notify your professors within 24 hours of the unexpected pregnancy related situation (be advised you may be asked to provide a doctor's excuse). 
  • If you experience problems or issues arise with your professors regarding your request for pregnancy support, immediately contact OCR9 at 561-297-3004 or submit a report via the University's online reporting form at www.fau.edu/report then select the "Sexual Misconduct/Title IX" form to complete. 

 OCR9 will mediate issues that may arise between students and faculty.

 

Lactation Rooms

Florida Atlantic University in accordance with Title IX, PWFA, and Pump Act are required to provide break time for nursing students and employees with lactation needs. The University provides available locations to accommodate nursing students and employees. Florida Atlantic Unviersity has lactation rooms located in the following spaces: 

 Boca Campus: 

  • College of Business - Building 93, Room OD 114
  • College of Medicine - Building BC 71, Room 111
  • Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence - Building SF 107, Room 118
  • Women's Resource and Community Connection - Building SS 8, Room 224-A

Davie Campus: 

  • Student Union Serenity Room in the Coconut Cove Student Lounge - SD 214

Broward/Davie Campus: 

  • BC Building 17, Room 224 (Mother's Room)

Fort Lauderdale Campus: 

  • HEC 909 (Mother's Room)

Students and employees who need to utilize lactation spaces after hours may need to contact the Building Manager or Campus Police and Security.