Pregnant and Parenting Student Resources
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against students based on their sex, which includes protections for pregnant and parenting students. Springfield College does not discriminate against pregnant or parenting students on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related conditions, including recovery. Students at Springfield College have the right to be free of harassment, intimidation, or other discrimination because of pregnancy-related conditions. Students also have the right to take medically necessary leave and the right to return to the same academic and co-curricular standing following a leave for these purposes.
The College has a responsibility to ensure that faculty members understand the Title IX requirements related to excused absences relative to pregnancy and parenting status, including class participation, grades, and delayed due dates for assignments. If you are experiencing medical concerns based on your pregnancy or parental status that are affecting your academic schedule or standing, or participation in other educational programs or activities, support can be provided by meeting with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Pregnant and Parenting Students or the College’s Title IX Coordinator.
To schedule a meeting with the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Pregnant and Parenting Students or the College’s Title IX Coordinator to discuss supportive measures, please complete the meeting request form.
Examples of supportive measures that students can request include, but are not limited to:
- Larger desk
- Breaks during class, as needed
- Excused absences due to pregnancy or related conditions
- Rescheduling tests or exams or submitting work after a deadline due to pregnancy or childbirth
- Providing alternatives to make up missed work
If you develop a pregnancy-related disability at any time during your pregnancy for which you would like to request accommodations, please contact Accessibility Services to request accommodations. Accommodations available through Accessibility Services and the Office of Non-Discrimination/Title IX may overlap. After receiving a request for accommodations, Accessibility Services will assign a case manager for the request who is neither the Deputy Title IX Coordinator nor Title IX Coordinator.
If you have experienced discrimination related to your pregnancy or parenting status you can report the discrimination here.
Parenting Room:
The Learning Commons has a parenting room located to the right side of the first floor by the printers. The room number is LC103.
The room is designed for a variety of parenting needs, ranging from breastfeeding to diaper changing. If you need to use this room, please ask a present staff member at the information desk to open it for you.
