Pregnant & Parenting Student Information
MSUM supports and accommodates pregnant and parenting students under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (June 2013) from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, “Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students.”
Title IX: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Pregnant and parenting students are entitled to all programs and activities sponsored by the University. Every department and unit within the University must not discriminate against a student based on the following:
- pregnancy,
- child birth,
- false pregnancy,
- termination of pregnancy, and
- recovery from any of these conditions.
Student Absence
A student’s absence because of pregnancy or childbirth must be excused as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences medically necessary. When a student returns, she must be allowed to return to the same academic and co-curricular status as prior to her leave.
If absences are due to pregnancy, faculty must allow a student to submit work after the deadline and earn class attendance and participation points. The faculty member will work with the student to determine how to make up missed work and points.
A school may offer the student alternatives to making up missed work, which the student should be allowed to choose. Possible alternatives include the following: retaking a semester, taking part in an online course credit recovery program, or continuing at the same pace and finish at a later date by allowing the student additional time in a program.
Special Services
Pregnant students will be provided with special services that are provided to those who have a temporary medical condition. At Minnesota State University Moorhead, Accessibility Resources will determine and coordinate appropriate services. Medical certification will be requested through Accessibility Resources.
Students who are pregnant may be allowed additional services based upon functional limitations imposed by the pregnancy. Examples may include requiring a larger desk, being allowed frequent trips to the bathroom, and being permitted temporary access to elevators.
As a reminder, there are designated spaces on campus for students who may be breastfeeding. See the list of lactation rooms.
Any harassing behavior towards the student due to her pregnancy (such as sexual comments, jokes, and humiliating or physically threatening or harmful behavior) must be promptly addressed and referred to the Title IX Coordinator on campus.
All allegations of discrimination against or towards a pregnant or parenting student at MSUM will be investigated under the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board Policy 1B.1 Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education and System Procedure 1B.1.1 Report/Complaint of Discrimination/Harassment Investigation and Resolution.