Pregnancy Modifications Policy

丝瓜视频APP (the 鈥淯niversity鈥�) is committed to providing all students and employees with the opportunity to pursue and attain their individual goals as it relates to the University鈥檚 admissions, employment, and educational programs or activities. This commitment includes the University鈥檚 students and employees who are pregnant, parenting, or experiencing pregnancy related conditions. The University prohibits differential treatment or discrimination against students and employees based on the student or employee鈥檚 current, potential, or past parental, family, marital status, or pregnancy or related condition.

II. Definitions

鈥淧regnancy or related conditions鈥� means:

  • Pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation;
  • Medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; or
  • Recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related medical conditions.

III. Student Pregnancy Disclosure

A student who is, or becomes, pregnant or has a related condition is strongly encouraged to notify the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible. By doing so, the student and the Title IX Coordinator can collaborate and develop an appropriate plan for the continuation of the student鈥檚 education in light of the unique nature of the University鈥檚 programs and requirements, as well as particular challenges the student may face while pregnant or while experiencing a pregnancy related condition.

If a University employee is informed of a student鈥檚 pregnancy or related condition by a student or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student, the employee must provide the student or the student鈥檚 representative with the Title IX Coordinator鈥檚 contact information for further assistance.

Contact information for the University鈥檚 Title IX Coordinator is as follows:

Claudia Lyerly, Ed.D
Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator
Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance
650 丝瓜视频APP Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141
Work Phone: 314.529.6721 Email: titleix@maryville.edu

The employee will also inform the student or the student鈥檚 representative that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the student鈥檚 equal access to the University鈥檚 education programs or activities. However, the choice to declare a student鈥檚 pregnancy is voluntary, and students and employees are not required to disclose this information to the University.

After being notified by a student or the student鈥檚 representative of the student鈥檚 pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator will do the following:

  • Inform the student about the University鈥檚 prohibition on sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment;
  • Provide the student with the option of reasonable modifications due to the student鈥檚 pregnancy or related conditions;
  • Allow the student voluntary access to any separate and comparable portion of the University鈥檚 education programs or activities;
  • Allow the student a voluntary leave of absence for medical reasons and reinstatement for the student upon return from leave;
  • Provide the student with a private, clean space for lactation that is a space other than a bathroom and is shielded from view and free from intrusion from others.

The University will not require students to submit supporting documentation for the above items, unless the documentation is necessary and reasonable for the University to determine the reasonable modifications to make, or whether to take additional, specific actions. Situations where supporting documentation is not necessary may include, but are not limited to, when the student鈥檚 need for a specific action is obvious, such as when a student who is pregnant needs a bigger uniform; when the student has previously provided the University with sufficient supporting documentation; when the reasonable modification at issue is allowing a student to carry or keep water nearby and drink, use a bigger desk, sit or stand, or take breaks to eat, drink, or use the restroom; when the student has lactation needs; or when the requested action is available to other students for reasons other than pregnancy or related conditions and such students are not required to submit supporting documentation.

Additionally, the University will not require a student who is pregnant or has a related condition to provide certification from a healthcare provider or any other person that the student is physically able to participate in the University鈥檚 class, program, or extracurricular activity unless:

  • The certified level of physical ability or health is necessary for the student鈥檚 participation in the class, program, or extracurricular activity;
  • The University requires such certification of all students participating in the class, program, or extracurricular activity; and
  • The information obtained is not used as a basis for discrimination.

IV. Options After Student Pregnancy Disclosure

Once a student has voluntarily disclosed a pregnancy or related condition to the University, the student has the following options:

Continue in the Program

      • If a student decides to continue in the program and desires to have any modifications to the University鈥檚 education programs and activities due to the pregnancy or related condition, the student should contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss any reasonable modifications that may be necessary for the student to continue in the program. Such modifications, if any, are discussed in Section V below, and will be documented in the form in Addendum A which will be signed by both the student and a University representative.
      • The University will also allow a student to voluntarily access any separate and comparable portion of the University鈥檚 education program or activity.

Voluntary Leave of Absence

      • Students have the option to take a leave of absence due to pregnancy or related condition. However, such a leave of absence is not required. Should a student choose to take a leave of absence, a student is permitted to do so based on the medical recommendation of the student鈥檚 licensed healthcare provider.
      • A leave of absence due to pregnancy or related condition may be for various amounts of time depending on a student鈥檚 particular circumstances and the period deemed medically necessary by the student鈥檚 licensed healthcare provider. Such a leave may be extended if deemed medically necessary by the student鈥檚 licensed healthcare provider.
      • Students are encouraged to communicate with faculty and supervisors regarding plans for leave to ensure a smooth return to campus.
      • International students are further encouraged to contact their international advisor immediately, as a leave could require the student to leave the country.
      • When a student returns from a leave of absence, the student will be reinstated to the same academic status and, where applicable, extracurricular status, that the student held prior to their leave of absence. This includes the opportunity to make up any work the student missed while on leave.
      • If taking a leave of absence due to a pregnancy or related condition, the Education Plan in Addendum B will be discussed and signed by the student and a University representative.

Withdraw from the University

      • The student may, in their sole discretion, determine that they must withdraw from the University for an indefinite period or permanently due to their pregnancy or related condition. Existing University withdrawal procedures, and readmission procedures (if applicable) apply.

V. Reasonable Modifications for Students

The University will treat pregnancy or related conditions, or temporary disability resulting from pregnancy or related conditions, consistent with the University鈥檚 policy on temporary medical conditions.

Reasonable modifications for pregnancy or related conditions will be provided to students based on their individualized needs. Such reasonable modifications will be identified through an interactive process with the student; however, a modification is not reasonable if it fundamentally alters the nature of the University鈥檚 education program or activity.

Reasonable modifications may include, but are not limited to:

      • Breaks during class to attend to any necessary medical or lactation needs
      • Access to online education
      • Excused absences to attend medical appointments
      • Schedule or course changes
      • Test rescheduling
      • Time extensions for coursework
      • Counseling
      • Physical space or supply changes
      • Elevator access
      • Other appropriate policy, practice, or procedure modifications

Students may accept or decline each reasonable modification offered by the University.

VI. Reasonable Modifications for Employees

The University will treat employee pregnancy or related conditions as any other temporary medical condition for all job-related purposes and will provide accommodations as appropriate. The University will further adhere to its leave policies for employee pregnancy or related conditions.

VII. Lactation Stations & Information

The University provides lactation stations across campus for breastfeeding students and employees. These spaces provide a private, clean area where students and employees are shielded from view and free from intrusion.

The University will also allow reasonable break time for employees to express breast milk or breastfeed as needed.

The following spaces are designated for lactation and/or personal wellness use:

      1. Gander Hall, Room 101D (Located on the first floor near the Admissions Offices)
      2. Library, Personal Wellness Room (located on the first floor near Starbucks and Counseling Center)
      3. Walker College of Health Professions, Walker 160 (located on the first floor near the Scottish Rite Clinic)

The above rooms are generally open and available to breastfeeding students, however any questions about the availability of the above lactation spaces may be directed to titleix@maryville.edu.

VIII. Questions or Concerns

A student who has questions about this policy or who is concerned about its implementation should contact the Title IX Coordinator using the contact information listed in Section III of this policy. Employees with questions about the policy or concerns about its implementation should contact HR at hr@maryville.edu.

The Title IX Coordinator will provide copies of this form during the review process.

To view samples in the policy addendum, .

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