Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects students in all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of schools. This includes prohibiting discrimination against pregnant and newborn-parenting students. Specifically, Title IX prohibits schools from excluding a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational program, including the admissions process, attending classes, and completing coursework. This prohibition applies to all university policies, including the practices of individual instructors.
So that they will not be disadvantaged in their courses of study or research, reasonable academic accommodations can be granted to students affected by pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, childbirth, and post-partum parenting. Accommodations may include alternatives for making up missed work and exams and/or alternative assignments to make up for class participation points or attendance requirements. The Title IX coordinator can work directly with a student who identifies herself as pregnant in order to require and retain the medical documentation necessary to identify an approved absence.
Please download and read the IUP Guidelines: Title IX Rights of Pregnant and Newborn-Parenting Students and an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) resource explaining discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions.
If requesting an excused absence and/or accommodations, please complete the Pregnant and Newborn-Parenting Absence and Accommodation Reporting/Request Form.
For further information, including those regarding the obligations of IUP generally or those of instructors in regard to this issue, please contact Elise Glenn, Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer/Title IX Coordinator, at title-ix@iup.edu.
Please Note:
- International students who are on F-1 or J-1 student visas can qualify for a reduced courseload approval for up to two semesters for medical reasons during a pregnancy. In addition to reading and completing the above forms, you must contact intl-education@iup.edu for more information and approval.
- A Lactation Room is located on the second floor of Stabley Library, which includes a restroom and refrigerator. Please ask for the key at the Library Information Desk.