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FAQs

  1. Who is covered under Title IX for pregnancy related issues?
    “Pregnant” refers to someone who is-or was-pregnant. Title IX includes protections related to:
    • Pregnancy
    • Childbirth
    • Loss of Pregnancy
    • Recovery

  2. Where can a student seek assistance for pregnancy-related accommodations?
    Students may work directly with their faculty members to determine accommodations but may also contact the Office of Title IX to request assistance with accommodations. Students can apply for modifications through The W’s Title IX website or they can contact the office directly at titleix@muw.edu. The Title IX Office is located on Cochran Hall, Room 300.

  3. Where can an employee seek assistance for pregnancy-related accommodations?
    The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) became effective on June 27, 2023. The PWFA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause undue hardship to the employer’s operations. An employee or applicant may request an accommodation due to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition by submitting the request in writing to Human Resources. The accommodation request should include an explanation of the pregnancy-related limitations, the accommodation needed and any alternative accommodation(s) that might be reasonable. Depending on the nature of the accommodation, the individual may be requested to submit a statement from a health care provider substantiating the need for the accommodation.

  4. What are common pregnancy-related accommodations for students?
    Examples of pregnancy-related accommodations include, but are not limited to, rescheduling tests or exams, excusing absences, submitting work after a deadline, providing alternatives to make up missed work, or temporary parking arrangements for closer accessibility to buildings on campus. The Office of Title IX may facilitate communications with the student’s professors or assist with other University resources.

  5. Pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions may necessitate absences. Will those absences be excused?
    Yes. Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Depending on the length of the absence and area of instruction, it may be academically necessary for the student to consider additional academic processes, such as incompletes. Students are encouraged to speak with the Title IX Office to determine a plan that best fits their needs. Professors may require a doctor’s note for pregnancy –related absences only if a doctor’s note is required to excuse other medically-related absences. See the Missed Class Policy in the Student Handbook for additional information on excused absences for medical conditions related to pregnancy. If you would prefer not to provide medical documentation to individual faculty members, you can provide your documentation to the Title IX Office and they can work with your faculty to ensure your absences are excused.

  6. What happens when a pregnant student misses assignments, quizzes, exams, etc., due to an excused absence?
    After an excused absence due to pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions, professors must allow a reasonable time for the student to make up missed assignments and tests. This is true regardless of the professor’s typical makeup assignment policy. Depending on the nature of the course, making up the exact missed assignment might not be feasible. The makeup work does not have to be exactly the same as the missed work, but needs to be reasonably equivalent.

  7. Can pregnant students be penalized for their absence if grades in a class are based on attendance or participation?
    A student may not be penalized for absences known to be due to pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions. A professor cannot reduce a pregnant student’s grade because of attendance or participation points that the student missed during excused absences due to their pregnancy-related conditions. The professor must give the student a reasonable opportunity to earn back or otherwise earn the credit due to pregnancy.

  8. Can professors prevent pregnant students from attending class?
    No. Under Title IX, the University cannot exclude someone from class based on their pregnancy. The University can only require a pregnant student to provide a doctor’s certification of fitness to continue in an education program or activity if the same requirement is imposed on all other students with medical conditions requiring a doctor’s care.

  9. Does the University have designated areas for students or employees to breastfeed, pump milk or address other needs throughout the day?
    Lactation rooms will be provided as a private and sanitary place, other than a bathroom, to express milk during business hours. The two lactation spaces on campus are located in Cochran Hall- Room 311 and the Education Building- Room 121D. The rooms will provide an electrical outlet, a comfortable seating, and nearby access to running water. Employees may use their private office area to express milk, if they prefer. The Title IX Coordinator can work with students on a case-by-case basis to determine if other temporary lactation space needs to be created based on the students’ schedule

  10. What about my on-campus housing?
    Pregnant students are not barred from utilizing campus housing. Upon birth of student’s child, the student will not be permitted to remain in student housing; however, university apartments may be available to eligible students. Contact Resources Management at (662) 329-7126 regarding availability of university apartments.