Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., 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, miscarriages, adoption & fostering. The U.S. Department of Education has more information online.
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 can create a coordinated approach to short term accommodations, maternity or paternity leave, and academic accommodations, due to medical necessity or 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.
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.
Students recently pregnant
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.
Adoption and fostering
Students who adopt or foster children are entitled to the same rights and benefits as birth parents.
Family & Lactation Room
The 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 on the 1st floor of the Memorial Union. 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:
Heather Hogan, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Office: 235 Memorial Union
Email: heather.hogan@maine.edu
Phone: 207.581.1485
Pregnancy Information
Pregnancy is an exciting time. Knowing that you are doing all you can to stay healthy during pregnancy and give your baby a healthy start in life will help you to have peace of mind.
Learn more at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Childcare
Finding childcare services for your child is and can be a very stressful experience. ChildCare Choices, provided by the University of Maine, helps parents find childcare. It also help parents learn abut the different types of childcare and subsidies available for parents.