parenting, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions
Students who are pregnant, parenting, or living with a pregnancy-related condition(s) are entitled to support services and accomodations.
Pregnancy and Parenting
title ix
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities. This also includes all related conditions, such as abortion, miscarriage, adoption and fostering.
Students should consider notifying the Deputy Title IX Coordinator of their or their partner’s pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition, or adoption and fostering. Students who adopt or foster children are entitled to the same rights and benefits as birth parents.
The Deputy Title IX Coordinator can create a coordinated approach to short term accommodations, maternity or paternity leave, and academic accommodations, due to medical necessity, extraordinary parenting, or caretaking responsibilities.
eligible students
Pregnant Students
Expecting students are protected under Title IX. Students may request accommodations such as larger desks, the ability to have water in the classroom, or additional breaks. Pregnant students given medical restrictions such as bed rest will be accommodated to the fullest extent practicable. At times, a student’s medical situation may require an incomplete in a course, etc. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator can assist with such arrangements.
Students with Recent or Current Pregnancies
Typically, students who have a vaginal birth are allowed a six week maternity leave and Cesarean deliveries are granted an eight week maternity leave. Students may be granted leave as long as medically necessary. Students may also return to school as soon as they wish and are encouraged to work with their medical professionals to determine that timing.
Pregnancy Loss, Miscarriage, and Abortion
Students who miscarry, suffer pregnancy loss or false pregnancy, and those who have an abortion are all protected by under Title IX. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator can assist in making academic and other arrangements in these situations.
Parenting Students
UMaine will provide reasonable accommodations to parenting students who request assistance. Extensions may be granted for medical necessity or extraordinary caretaking/parenting responsibilities.
Adoption and Fostering Parents
Students who adopt or foster children are entitled to the same rights and benefits as birth parents.
Accommodations for Pregnant and Parenting Students
Pregnant and Parenting Students may be entitled to receive reasonable accommodations through Title IX. For more information, including on receiving priority registration for courses, please see the UMS Title IX website.
An informative PDF “Accommodations for Pregnant and Parenting Students” is also available.
accommodations
If your pregnancy-related condition is causing you to experience any impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (e.g., walking, thinking, sleeping, concentrating, standing, sleeping, lifting, eating, drinking, or the functioning of normal bodily systems), you should seek accommodations through the Title IX Student Services.
example pregnancy-related conditions
example pregnancy-related accommodations
Family and lactation rooms
One Family and Lactation Room is a place in the Memorial Union where families and nursing parents can bring their children to nurse/feed. It is located in the Memorial Union in Room 162B. If the room is open, it is available for a family to use. Click here to learn more about the room.
For access to the room, please reach out to:
Cameron (Cam) McDonnell, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Office: Memorial Union, Room 235A
Email: um.titleix@maine.edu
Phone: 207-581-1485
Another Wellness and Lactation room for students, staff, and faculty is available in 101A Hitchner Hall. This room features comfortable furniture, a refridgerator, and the room can be locked for privacy. For questions or to arrange a specific time in the 101A Hitchner Hall Lactation Room, please reach out to:
Lily Hesseltine, Academic and Administrative Specialist
Email: lily.hesseltine@maine.edu
Phone: 207-581-2947