Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of schools. This prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students.

Am I required to tell anyone about my pregnancy or parenting status?

Students are not required to inform faculty, staff or any member of the administration of their pregnancy or parenting status, unless they are seeking accommodations (below). The college wishes to create an environment that encourages voluntary sharing of this information, so that the college can provide optimal support for physical and mental health of the student.

How do I request accommodations?

Accommodation requests should be directed to the Office of Title IX.  The Title IX Coordinator will discuss the pregnant or parenting individual's needs and may ask for documentation that supports the requested accommodations. 

A student who has a chronic medical condition as a result of a pregnancy should request accommodations from the Office of Accessibility Services. 

What types of accommodations may I request?

Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Examples of accommodations may include:

• breaks during class, as needed
• permitting temporary access to elevators
• relocating class to an accessible location
• rescheduling tests or exams
• excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions
• submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth
• providing alternatives to make up missed work
• allowing excused absences for parenting students (both male and female) who need to take their children to doctors' appointments or to take care of their sick children

A pregnant student will be allowed to make up any work missed due to medically-necessary absences for pregnancy. A student will be offered acceptable alternative arrangements to make up missed work.  Examples of acceptable alternative arrangements include, but are not limited to, withdrawing from the college during the semester in which student was absent, switching to an online course of study, if available, allowing the student additional time to complete work, or granting the student an incomplete grade. The student will not be required to complete makeup work until the student's medical-necessary absences for pregnancy are completed.

What resources are available to me as a pregnant and/or parenting student?

Resources at Goucher:

• Lactation Room at Goucher
• Students who do not have access to a private, sanitary location in which to breastfeed or express milk, are welcome to use the lactation room at Goucher located in the women’s restroom on the first floor of the Dorsey Center.
• Student Health Insurance Plan
• Counseling Center
• Undergraduate Leave of Absence and Withdrawal Policies
• Graduate Academic Polices (leave of absence and other policies)

Other Resources:

• Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students (pamphlet from the US Department of Education)
• Pregnant and Parenting Student-Athletes (NCAA)
• National Women’s Law Center – FAQ: Pregnant and Parenting College & Graduate Students Rights