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ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ State University is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students as well as pregnant employees.

Pregnancy adjustments

Accommodations for pregnant faculty or staff may include more frequent breaks, limits on lifting, access to places to sit, ergonomic furniture or other measures that can enable the pregnant individual to work. Students can also request accommodation based on pregnancy, childbirth or a related condition.

What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and what does it cover?

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination under Title VII. Women affected by pregnancy or related conditions must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work. If a woman is temporarily unable to perform her job due to a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, the employer or other covered entity must treat her in the same way as it treats any other temporarily disabled employee. Additionally, impairments resulting from pregnancy (for example, gestational diabetes) may be disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

What is Title IX and what does it cover?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of schools. This prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy and parental status – in education programs and activities. The law requires that the University cannot treat students differently on the basis of sex concerning their actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Schools that receive federal funds must not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, including a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination or recovery therefrom. This also includes those who are already raising children. ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ wants every student to be able to work successfully toward graduation. The University will provide equal access to school programs and extracurricular activities to students who might be, are or have been pregnant. The University will provide services to pregnant students as they would to other students who have temporary medical conditions.

What types of accommodations may I request?
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 doctors' appointments or to take care of their sick children

How do I request accommodations?

Students:
Students may request reasonable accommodations as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary based on the student's circumstances, but may include: academic accommodations and flexibility (such as breaks during class, excused absences, rescheduling of tests, extensions of deadlines, and alternatives to make up missed work); leaves of absences or changes in work schedules; changes to housing; or other types of accommodations. Accommodation requests should be directed to Ken Ashlock in the Office of Student Disability Services. The Office of SDS will discuss the pregnant or parenting individual's needs and will ask for documentation that supports the requested accommodations.  Other documents which might be helpful for this conversation include but are not limited to: class schedule, syllabi, professor contact information, contact information for the student, etc.  Contact the Office of SDS at 270.809.2018 located at 423 Wells Hall or email Ken Ashlock at kashlock@murraystate.edu. 

Employees:
Faculty and staff who wish to request a reasonable accommodation, including accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition, should contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) at 270.809.3155 located at 103 Wells Hall or email msu.titleix@murraystate.edu.

How do I advise a student who has disclosed that they are pregnant or parenting as a reason for absences or a need for an accommodation?
Students making those requests should be directed to Ken Ashlock in the Office of Student Disability Services. The Office of Student Disability Services will discuss the pregnant or parenting individual's needs and will ask for documentation that supports the requested accommodations.  The Office of SDS will also contact the professor to discuss options for alternatives. Contact the Office of SDS at 270.809.2018  located at 423 Wells Hall or email Ken Ashlock at kashlock@murraystate.edu. 

Requests from pregnant, parenting or pregnancy related medical conditions should be directed to:
Ken Ashlock
Director of Student Disability Services
270.809.2018
kashlock@murraystate.edu

Reports regarding discrimination regarding pregnancy or parenting should be directed to:
Title IX Coordinator
Office of IDEA
270.809.3155
msu.titleix@murraystate.edu

Additional resources: