Info for Pregnant and Parenting Students
Title IX, of the Education Amendments of 1972, is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status— in any federally funded education program or activity. All public and private schools, school districts, colleges, and universities receiving any Federal funds (“schools”) must comply with Title IX.
Student Rights
Students who are pregnant or parenting have certain rights under Title IX including:
- Allow you to continue participating in classes and extracurricular
- Provide you with reasonable adjustments, like a larger desk, elevator access, or allowing you to make frequent trips to the restroom, when necessary because of your pregnancy.
- Excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.
- Allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began, which should include giving you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out.
- Provide pregnant students with the same special services it provides to students with temporary medical conditions.
- Protect you from harassment based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions. Comments that could constitute prohibited harassment include making sexual comments or jokes about your pregnancy, calling you sexually charged names, spreading rumors about your sexual activity, and making sexual propositions or gestures, if the comments are sufficiently serious that it interferes with your ability to benefit from or participate in your school’s program.
Resources
Helpful Tips for Pregnant and Parenting Students (from the U.S. Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights website):
- Ask your school for help—meet with your school’s Title IX Coordinator or counselor regarding what your school can do to support you in continuing your education.
- Keep notes about your pregnancy-related absences, any instances of harassment and your interactions with school officials about your pregnancy, and immediately report problems to your school’s Title IX Coordinator, counselor, or other staff.
- If you feel your school is discriminating against you because you are pregnant or parenting you may file a complaint:
- Using your school’s internal Title IX grievance procedures.
- With the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), even if you have not filed a complaint with your school. If you file with OCR, make sure you do so within 180 days of when the discrimination took place.
- In court, even if you have not filed a complaint with your school or with OCR.
Breastfeeding Accommodations
For mothers who need to pump or breastfeed, a private room is available at the following campus locations:
- At ECC: Osgood Library
- At MCC: Room 406A
For more information, students should contact the ECC Director of Student Success/Registrar or MCC Learning Services Specialist, or the campus Title IX Coordinator.
On-Campus Contacts
Questions? We are here to help! Contact info can be found in the Directory.
- Marshalltown Community College: Nate Chua
- Ellsworth Community College: Tracy Crippin-Haake
- Iowa Valley Grinnell: Ashtyn Beek (on-campus contact)
- Iowa Valley Business and Community Solutions: Becky Hassett
- Iowa Valley District Office (Employees only): Sara Aguilera