Pregnancy & Related Conditions

  • Title IX: Pregnant & Parenting Students anner

Pregnancy & Related Conditions

Title IX: Pregnancy & Related Conditions

Title IX prohibits discrimination by the University based on pregnancy and related conditions, including termination of a pregnancy. Specifically, a student at the University cannot be discriminated against or excluded from their education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity based on because of a pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of a pregnancy, or recovery therefrom. 

To reaffirm these principles and support students in this area, Rowan has developed a Pregnancy and Related Conditions Policy for students. 

Modifications

Pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom, must be treated by the University as a temporary disability. Modifications may include but are not limited to:

  • Temporary leave for as long as the student’s physician deems medically necessary (after which the student will be reinstated to the status the student held when the leave began).
  • Extended deadlines.
  • Classroom modifications such as: modification to the physical environment such as accessible seating or elevator access.
  • Excused absences as deemed medically necessary.
  • Rescheduling of missed exams.
  • Use of lactation rooms. Lactation and Nursing rooms are available lactation are available at all sites.

How to Request Modifications

Students requesting modifications due to pregancy or related conditions are encouraged to complete the Pregnancy and Related Conditions Modification Request Form. You can also contact the Title IX Coordinator, directly for more information about your rights under Title IX.

Please note, completion of this form ONLY notifies our office that you need modifications. Modifications are not put in place automatically. Students will recieve official outreach from the Title IX Coordinator with next steps after filling out the form.

Request Modifications Form

  1. Complete Modification Request form (above).
  2. Receive outreach from the Title IX Coordinator to discuss modifications you need (modifications are not automatically put in place upon filling out the form).
  3. Title IX Coordinator will connect you with Accessibility Services, who will help put modifications in place with faculty/program staff.

Clinical Placements, Student Teaching, Internships, & Assistantships

Students participating in clinical rotations, student-teaching, internships, assistantships, or other experiential learning programs should meet with the Title IX Coordinator as early as possible to discuss available reasonable accommodations. This also includes students in medical, veterinary, and other healthcare programs at Rowan University.

*Reasonable modifications do not waive academic or program requirements. 

 Title IX Basic Rights
  • As a pregnant student, you have equal access to classes and activities.
  • You are entitled to accommodations for both your pregnancy and childbirth, including excused absences, extra time on assignments, and other reasonable accommodations that would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition.
  • Your school/department must excuse your absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says is necessary. Schools/departments must also reschedule exams missed due to pregnancy or childbirth.
  • When you return, your school/department must allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status you had before you left. They must also give you a chance to make up missed work.
  • Your school/department cannot make you take time off if you don’t want to.
  • Your school/department cannot exclude you from a special program because you are pregnant.
New Jersey Law (S-1489/A-1465)

New Jersey Law ensures equal rights and opportunities for pregnant students in institutions of higher education. 

New Jersey Law (S-1489/A-1465) protects the rights of pregnant students. The law:

  • Prohibits institutions of higher education from requiring a student to take a leave of absence, withdraw from an associate, bachelor’s or graduate program or limit her studies due to pregnancy or issues related to pregnancy.
  • Requires schools to provide pregnant students with reasonable accommodations, for example allowing students to maintain a safe distance away from hazardous materials or make up examinations missed due to pregnancy-related issues, for the successful completion of coursework and research. Institutions would be required to develop, adopt and distribute policies regarding pregnancy discrimination.
  • A graduate student who chooses to take a leave of absence because she is pregnant or recently has given birth will be allowed a minimum of 12 months to prepare for and take preliminary and qualifying examinations. The normative time to degree while in candidacy for a degree for a pregnant graduate student would be increased in an amount equal to the length of the leave of absence, unless a longer extension is medically necessary. The law also allows a graduate student who is not the birth parent to take additional time to prepare for preliminary and qualifying examinations if he or she needs to care for his or her partner or child. 

A student in good academic standing who voluntarily takes a leave of absence would return to their associate, bachelors or graduate program in good academic standing under the law.

Additional Resources for Pregnant and Parenting Students

 

Pregnancy and Related Conditions FAQs