Pregnancy Adjustments and Accommodations for Students
Pace University is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students.
Title IX, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex including pregnancy and parental status in educational programs and activities. The University is required to provide reasonable adjustments and accommodations during and after pregnancy that provide equitable access and ability to fully participate in academic programs, activities, athletics, and practicums/field placements. It is illegal to exclude a pregnant student from any part of an educational program due to their pregnancy and parenting status. Students may request adjustments based on general pregnancy needs or accommodations based on a pregnancy-related condition. See below for more information.
Information for Students
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Requests should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity & Title IX Compliance. That office will meet with you to discuss your needs and may ask for documentation that supports the request. If your pregnancy involves health or medical complications, you may contact Student Accessibility Services at the following contact:
Student Accessibility Services (New York City)
161 William Street, 7th Floor
Phone: (212) 346-1199Student Accessibility Services (Westchester)
Administration Center
861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville
Phone: (914) 773-3201 -
Requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis and may include the following:
Adjustments
- Furniture size, shape, and position (i.e. a larger desk)
- Breaks in class for food or hydration
- Opportunity to reschedule tests
- Excused absences for specific treatments and care and for parenting and medical care for infant or child
- Ability to turn in late submissions
- Make up work that is similar in nature
- Temporary access to elevators
Absences
Absences related to pregnancy and childbirth must be excused as long as your doctor deems the absence medically necessary (i.e., for doctor’s appointments, bed rest, recovery, etc.).
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Yes, Pace University supports nursing parents who return to school/work and continue to breastfeed their child by maintaining a private space where lactating parents can nurse their child or express milk. Any Pace affiliated nursing parent, including faculty, staff, and students, who are breastfeeding, can request to use these lactation room.
There are lactation rooms on all three Pace University campuses. To receive access to the lactation rooms, please reach out to security via security@pace.edu.
- New York City Campus: Room W205A in 1 Pace Plaza
- Pleasantville Campus: Miller 15D
- Haub Law Campus: Aloysia Hall 109
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Ask the University for help—meet with the Title IX Coordinator regarding what the University can do to support you in continuing your education.
Keep notes about your pregnancy-related absences, any instances of harassment, and immediately report problems to the Title IX Coordinator.
If you feel you have been discriminated against you because you are pregnant or parenting you may file a complaint using the University's Title IX process.
Information for Faculty
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Inform the student that they can reach out to the Title IX office if they want to discuss adjustments/accommodations.
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It can vary student to student but may include allowing frequent bathroom breaks, a larger desk, rescheduling exams or assignments, allowing time for access to lactation rooms, and excusing pregnancy-related absences. The length of time needed for medically required absences can vary depending on the student's situation.
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You should contact Bernard Dufresne, the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Equity/Title IX Compliance and Title IX Coordinator at bdufresne@pace.edu.
Lactation Rooms
Pace University supports nursing parents who return to school/work and continue to breastfeed their child by maintaining a private space where lactating parents can nurse their child or express milk. Any Pace affiliated nursing parent, including faculty, staff, and students, who are breastfeeding, can request to use these lactation room.
There are lactation rooms on all three Pace University campuses. To receive access to the lactation rooms, please reach out to security via security@pace.edu.
New York City Campus: W205A in 1 Pace Plaza
Pleasantville Campus: Miller 15D
Haub Law Campus: Aloysia Hall 109
As part of the process to request and receive accommodations, Student Accessibility Services may ask you for documentation from your healthcare provider.
Title IX Requirements Regarding Pregnant and Parenting Students (PDF) from the U.S. Department of Education:
Title IX prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. The Title IX regulations also prohibits a school from applying any rule related to a student’s parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on their sex.
Among other things, Title IX requires a school to excuse a student’s absences due to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences to be medically necessary. Title IX also prohibits harassment of students based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions. Harassing conduct can take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, graphic and written statements, and other conduct that may be humiliating or physically threatening or harmful. Particular actions that could constitute prohibited harassment include making sexual comments or jokes about a student’s pregnancy, calling a pregnant student sexually charged names, spreading rumors about her sexual activity, and making sexual propositions or gestures. The University will take prompt and appropriate steps reasonably calculated to end pregnancy related harassment, prevent its recurrence, and eliminate any hostile environment created by the harassment.