To ensure a pregnant student’s access to educational programs, a school must make adjustments that are reasonable and responsive to the student’s temporary pregnancy status. These adjustments are known as "accommodations" under Title IX. Accommodations often require mutual cooperation between the student and professor to develop and implement. 

Upon notification, VSU is obligated to provide the following accommodations:

  • Absences due to pregnancy. Excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as the student's doctor says it is necessary;
  • If medical leave is necessary, the student must be allowed to return to the same academic and extracurricular status the student had before medical leave began, which should include providing the student with an opportunity to make up missed work;
  • Ensure that instructors understand Title IX requirements related to excused absences and medical leave. Instructors may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline the student missed because of pregnancy or childbirth. If the teacher’s grading is based in part on class participation or attendance and the student missed class because of pregnancy or childbirth, the student should be allowed to make up the participation or attendance credits the student did not have the chance to earn; and
  • Provide pregnant students with the same special services it provides to students with temporary medical conditions.

As a general matter, students must be afforded reasonable academic accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, to the extent that such accommodations would not result in a fundamental alteration of the academic program or impose an undue burden on the University. Students should be given an opportunity to make up missed work, to the extent possible, and be provided with flexibility in how the missed work will be made up. 

 

To request reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and childbirth, please complete the Pregnancy Accommodations Form. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Myia Miller, Title IX Compliance Officer and Investigator at maburden@valdosta.edu. Please note, you will be required to provide documentation from an appropriately licensed medical professional indicating the requested accommodations are medically necessary.

 

Note: Valdosta State University makes available a private space for VSU students, faculty, and staff to pump or to breastfeed/chestfeed. More information can be found at the following link: Lactation Room