Michigan State University is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for students and employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions.
This Policy addresses the University’s obligations under federal law to provide reasonable accommodations for employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth or pregnancy-related conditions, and academic modifications and extended leaves of absence for students who are affected by pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, and/or students who are parenting, including, adoptive parents, foster parents, stepparents and/or legal guardians.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This prohibition includes discriminating against or excluding a student from an education program or activity, extracurricular activity, athletic program, or other program or activity of the University, on the basis of the student's pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Additionally, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, which amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or other related medical conditions. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to an employee’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. The Fair Labor Standards Act and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act provide nursing employees up to one year after birth, the right to receive break time and private space at work to express breast milk.
The University prohibits any action based on actual or potential parental, family, or marital status which discriminates on the basis of sex.