Pregnancy, Childbirth, Pregnancy-Related Conditions, and Parenting Information

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.

• Pregnant and Parenting Student Accommodation Frequently Asked Questions

  Under the Policy, the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance is responsible for the student modifications process.

  The FAQs below pertain to students. Questions or requests pertaining to the employment accommodations process should be directed to Human Resources at WorkplaceAccommodations@hr.msu.edu.

  FAQS FOR STUDENTS IMPACTED BY PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH OR PREGNANCY-RELATED CONDITIONS OR PARENTING STUDENTS

  What is the process for a student to receive modifications?

  A student initiates the process by making a request for reasonable modifications through the Public Incident Reporting Form (https://msu.guardianconduct.com/incident-reporting) identifying the “report type” as “Pregnancy-Related and Parenting Modifications”. OCR then initiates an individualized interactive process and will endeavor to gather information from the faculty or other employees involved in implementing the modification and may include the faculty or other employee in the interactive process. At the conclusion of the process, OCR issues the Pregnancy-Related Conditions and Parenting Student Modification Form (PRP) for approved modifications. The process is fully outlined in Policy Section V(A).

  What types of modifications can a student receive?

  A non-exhaustive listing of possible modifications includes excused absences, extensions, alternative assignments, and lactation breaks. Additional examples are listed in Policy Section IV(A).

  What about leaves of absence?

  Students are entitled to leaves of absence for medically necessary reasons related to pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions as defined in the policy. Once a student returns from an extended period of absence, they will be reinstated to the same academic and extracurricular status as before and will not be required to demonstrate a readiness to return before being able to re-enroll. Leaves of absence are addressed in Policy Section V(A).

  What about lactation and breastfeeding/chestfeeding?

  The University provides reasonable time and spaces (https://ispm.msu.edu/locations/lactation-rooms) for students to express milk or breastfeed/chestfeed that are not bathrooms and are shielded from view and free from intrusion from others. See Policy Section IV(A).  

  For specific questions regarding compliance with Title IX, you may contact:

  Laura Rugless

  Vice President & Title IX Coordinator

  Office for Civil Rights and Title IX
  408 W. Circle Drive, Olds Hall, Suite 105

  East Lansing, MI 48824

  Phone: (517) 355-3960

  Email: ocr@msu.edu

  Website: civilrights.msu.edu

  Rob Kent

  Interim Executive Director,

  Interim Senior Deputy Title IX Coordinator

  and Interim Title VI Coordinator

  Office of Civil Rights and Title IX
  408 W. Circle Drive, Olds Hall, Suite 5

  East Lansing, MI 48824

  Phone: (517) 353-3922

  Email: ocr@msu.edu

  Website: civilrights.msu.ed
• Pregnancy and Parenting Adjustment Request

  Form

  Pregnancy Adjustment Form (html)

• Resources

  Resources on Campus 

  • For information on child care, Student Parent Resource Center - https://studentparents.msu.edu/family-resources/.
  • For information regarding the location of lactating rooms on campus, Student Parent Resource Center - https://studentparents.msu.edu/family-resources/finding-child-care/.
  • For information regarding breastfeeding, MSU Extension - https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/breastfeeding_resources.
  • For information regarding child care assistance, Office of Financial Aid - https://finaid.msu.edu/ccgrant.asp.
  • For information regarding family housing on campus, Residence Education and Housing Services - http://liveon.msu.edu/apartments/family-apartments.
  • For information regarding financial aid for pregnant and parenting students – Office of Financial Aid - https://finaid.msu.edu/stuwithdis.asp.
  • To register temporary disabilities due to pregnancy and childbirth complications, Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities - https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/.
  • For information for pregnant graduate students, Graduate Student Handbook - https://msu.edu/unit/neurosci/graduate/handbook/univpolicies.html.
  • Employee Assistance Program - http://eap.msu.edu/.  

  
   Other Resources  

  • Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At School by the Office for Civil Rights - https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.html.
  • Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students - https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/pregnancy.pdf.
  • National Women's Law Center (NWLC) – Pregnant and Parenting Students’ Rights: FAQs for College and Graduate Students - https://nwlc.org/resources/pregnant-and-parenting-students-rights-faqs-college-and-graduate-students/.
  • A Review of Federal Law and NCAA Rules Impacting Treatment of Pregnant and Parenting Student-Athletes - http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/inclusion/pregnant-parenting-student-athletes.