Pregnant & Parenting Students

The Title IX statute prohibits discrimination based on gender in all educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. This means colleges and universities cannot discriminate against a student because of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions and must give students the same access to school programs and educational opportunities given to all students. This law applies to female and male parenting students experiencing a birth, adoption or a new foster child.

Pregnant and parenting students are entitled to all programs and activities sponsored by the College. Departments and units within the College must not discriminate against a student based on the following:

• Special circumstances impacting parenting
• Pregnancy,
• Childbirth,
• Miscarriage,
• Termination of pregnancy, and recovery from any of these conditions

Title IX

Familial Status
A student who has custody or is the designated parent or guardian of one or more children under the age of 18. Familial status also means residing with and caring for one or more individuals who lack the ability to meet essential requirements for physical health, safety, or self-care because the individual or individuals are unable to receive and evaluate information or make or communicate decisions. The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of family status apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of an individual who is under the age of 18.

Martial Status
The status of a students as single, married, remarried, divorced, separated, or a surviving spouse. 

Parenting Student
A student who is the parent or legal guardian of or can claim as a dependent a child under the age of 18.

Pregnancy and Related Conditions
The full spectrum of processes and events connected with pregnancy, including pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; related medical conditions; and recovery therefrom.

Reasonable Modifications
Individualized modifications that are necessary to prevent sex discrimination and to ensure equitable access to college and university programs and activities; reasonable modifications do not fundamentally alter any education program or activity. Individualized modifications may include modifications to the Minnesota State rules, policies, or practices. 

Student Parent Navigators
Each college and university shall designate at least one employee to act as a student parent navigator who provides information regarding support services and other resources available to students on campus and in the local community. Find your navigator at the bottom of this page.

A parenting student or student with familial status, regardless of marital status, who wants to remain engaged in their coursework while adjusting their academic responsibilities because of the birth or adoption of a child, placement of a foster child, recent event requiring medical attention for a child under the age of 18, or extraordinary caretaking or parenting responsibilities shall work directly with their advisor, faculty, or the Title IX coordinator or designee.

Modified Academic Responsibilities
Students seeking a period of modified academic responsibilities may consult with their academic advisor or with the Title IX coordinator or designee to determine appropriate academic modification requests. The Title IX coordinator or designee will communicate all requests under this procedure to students’ academic advisors and coordinate efforts with the advisors unless the student specifically request that their advisors be excluded.

Advisors and Faculty
Students are encouraged to work with their advisors and faculty members to reschedule course assignments, lab hours, examinations, or other requirements and/or to reduce their overall course load as appropriate.

Support from Title IX
If, for any reason, parenting students are not able to work with their advisors or faculty members to obtain appropriate modifications, students should alert the Title IX coordinator or designee as soon as possible, and the office will evaluate and facilitate modifications.

Timed Degree, Certification, or Credentialing Programs
In timed degree, certification, or credentialing programs, students who seek modifications upon the birth or placement of their child will be allowed an extension of up to six months to prepare for and take preliminary and qualifying examinations, and an extension of up to six months toward normative time to degree while in candidacy, to the extent those deadlines are controlled by the college or university. Longer extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances.

Parenting students can request modified academic responsibilities under this procedure regardless of whether they elect to take a leave of absence.

Employee Responsibility
Students who are pregnant or are experiencing pregnancy-related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equitable access to Minnesota State education programs and activities. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Title IX coordinator, deputy Title IX coordinator or designee to discuss appropriate and available reasonable modifications based on their individual needs.

Student Responsibility
Students are encouraged to request reasonable modifications as promptly as reasonably possible; some modifications may be provided retroactively. Modifications that result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program or activity or an undue financial or administrative burden will not be provided. Information about pregnant students’ requests for modifications will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the reasonable modification. 

Examples of Modifications
Reasonable modifications will be identified and implemented through an interactive process between the college or university and the individual seeking the modification(s). Reasonable modifications may include but not be limited to the following:

• Breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed/chestfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom.
• Excused absences for pregnancy related conditions.
• Access to online education when available.
• Changes in schedule or course sequence.
• Time extensions for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations.
• Early and/or extended access to course materials.
• Allowing a student to sit or stand.
• Allowing a student to carry or keep water nearby, or to eat or drink in class. 
• Permission to leave class suddenly.
• Changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or footrest).
• Elevator access.
• Alternative testing site.
• Extended test time (1.5).
• Limited exposure to chemicals.
• Limited lifting requirements.
• A larger uniform or other required clothing or equipment (for those provided by the college or university).
• Allowing the student continued access to campus housing or health insurance coverage.
• Other changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Title IX coordinator.

Other Considerations
When possible, Minnesota colleges and universities will work with students whose pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions impact clinical rotations, performances, labs, group work, or similar aspects of their educational experiences. This may include devising an alternative path to completion. In progressive curricular and/or cohort-model programs, medically necessary leaves are sufficient to permit consideration of shifting course order, substituting similar courses, or joining a subsequent cohort when returning from leave.

Collaboration
Students are encouraged to work with their faculty members and Minnesota State college and university support systems to devise a plan for how to best address the conditions as pregnancy progresses, anticipate the need for leaves, minimize the academic impact of their absence, and get back on tracks efficiently and comfortably as possible. The Title IX coordinator, deputy Title IX coordinator, or designee will assist with plan development and implementation as needed. Each college/university shall provide information to students regarding the process for reasonable modifications. Students are not required to use or access any modification. 

Reasonable Modifications vs. Accommodations
Supporting documentation for reasonable modifications will only be required when it is necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to determine which reasonable modifications to offer to determine other specific actions to take to ensure equitable access.

Students experiencing pregnancy-related conditions that manifest as a temporary disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are eligible for reasonable accommodations just like any other student with a temporary disability.

The Title IX coordinator will consult with and/or refer the accessibility or disability resources staff at the college or university to ensure that student receives reasonable accommodations for their disability as required by law. 

Certification to Participate
All students should be informed of health and safety risks related to participation in academic and co-curricular activities, regardless of pregnancy status. A student is not required to provide health care providers (or other) certification that the student is physically able to participate in the program or activity, unless:

• The information obtained is not used as a basis for pregnancy-related discrimination.
• The certified level of physical ability or health is necessary for participation;
• The college or university requires such certification of all students participating; and

Employee Responsibilities
If a student self-discloses pregnancy or related condition or parenting status to a Minnesota State employee who is advising, supporting, or working with the student, the employee shall provide the student with the Title IX coordinator’s or designee’s contact information and communicate that the Title IX coordinator can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equitable access to the Minnesota State education program and activity. If the employee has a reasonable belief that the Title IX coordinator is already aware of the pregnancy or related condition, the employee is not required to provide the student with the Title IX coordinator’s contact information. 

Notification of Pregnancy
Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related conditions or status as a parenting student, the college or university Title IX coordinator or designee will contact the student and inform the student of the Minnesota State obligations to:

• Prohibit sex discrimination
• Provide reasonable modifications
• Allow access, on a voluntary basis, to any separate and comparable portion of the institution’s education program or activity that may be available.
• Allow a voluntary leave of absence. 
• Ensure lactation space availability. 
• Maintain a resolution process for alleged discrimination.
• Treat pregnancy as comparable to other temporary medical conditions.
• Provide a fact sheet with legal rights and available resources. 
• Provide contact information about early registration processes, if applicable. 

The Title IX coordinator or designee will also notify the student of the process to file a complaint for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. 

Christina Brown
Academic Advisor, TRIO Student Support Services & Accessibility Coordinator
christina.brown@minnesotanorth.edu
218.403.9217
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Ann Vidovic
Program Supervisor – TRIO Student Support Services and Accessibility Services
ann.vidovic@minnesotanorth.edu
218.398.7306 Cell
218.322.2433 Office
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Kevin Langdon
Academic Advisor – TRIO Student Support Services and Accessibility Services
kevin.langdon@minnesotanorth.edu
218.550.2524
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Matt Jarva
TRIO and Technical Program Academic Advisor
matt.jarva@minnesotanorth.edu
218.550.2608

Amy Amundsen
TRIO Student Support Services Academic Advisor, PSEO Advisor
amy.amundsen@minnesotanorth.edu
218.598.9326
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Molly Johnston
Academic Advisor – Assessment – Accessibility Services
molly.johnston@minnesotanorth.edu
218.235.2119
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