Medical necessity
is a determination made by a health care provider of a student’s or employee’s choosing.
Pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions
include (but are not limited to) pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, conditions arising in connection with pregnancy, and recovery from any of these conditions, in accordance with federal law.
Pregnancy discrimination
includes treating a woman affected by pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition less favorably than similar individuals not so affected, and includes a failure to provide legally mandated leave or accommodations.
Pregnant student/Birth-parent
refers to the student who is or was pregnant. Although the pronoun “she” and “her” are used herein, this policy and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant persons regardless of gender identity or expression.
Reasonable accommodations
for the purposes of this policy are changes in the academic environment or typical operations that enable a pregnant student or student with a pregnancy-related condition to continue to pursue her studies and enjoy equal benefits of the University.
Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- accommodations requested by the pregnant student to protect the health and safety of the student and/or her pregnancy (such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances)
- modifications to the physical environment (such as accessible seating)
- mobility support
- extending deadlines and/or allowing the student to make up tests or assignments missed for pregnancy-related absences
- Flexible exam scheduling
- Ability to take a final early (before the expected birth of a child)
- Ability to start class later in the semester (to account for time off required for the birth of a child)
- Grades of incomplete or being withdrawn from courses without negative impact to academic standing and without regard to regular deadlines
- providing remote learning options
- Ability to go off camera during class
- excusing medically necessary absences
- granting leave
- Bringing a sleeping or quiet infant to class