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LU Policy Number: SS.043
Effective Date: 05/09/23
Approval Date: 05/09/23
Revised Date: N/A
Purpose:
Life University, Inc. (the “University”) is committed to maintaining an environment where individuals can continue pursuing an education while pregnant, experiencing pregnancy- related conditions or engaging in parenting responsibilities. This policy procedures for students affected by pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions to request reasonable accommodations, modified academic responsibilities or voluntary medical leave.
Additional Authority: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
Scope: This policy only applies to pregnant and parenting students while participating in the University’s educational programs and activities.
Approval Authority: President
Responsible Authority: Office of Title IX
Recipients: University Community
Publications: Student Handbook
Definitions
Medical Necessity: A determination made by a licensed health care provider of a student’s choosing.
Pregnancy or Pregnancy Related Conditions: Includes (but is not limited to) pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or conditions arising in connection with pregnancy or recovery from any of the aforementioned conditions.
Pregnant Student: the student who is or was pregnant.
Reasonable Accommodations: Changes in the academic environment or typical operations that enable a pregnant student or student with a pregnancy-related condition or parenting student to continue to pursue their studies and enjoy equal benefits of the University.
Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- Providing accommodations requested by the pregnant student to protect the health and safety of the student and/or the pregnancy (such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances).
- Modifications to the physical environment (such as accessible seating).
- Extending deadlines and/or allowing the student to make up tests or assignments missed for pregnancy-related absences.
- Excusing medically necessary absences.
- Granting voluntary medical leaves and/or implementing incomplete grades for classes that will be completed at a future date.
- Providing reasonable time and space for lactation in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible.
- Retaliation: Retaliation is intimidation, threatening behavior or discrimination against an individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing.
Sex Discrimination: Sex discrimination occurs when persons are excluded from any activity on the basis of their sex - including employment. Sex discrimination includes materially adverse treatment or action based on a person’s biological sex, pregnancy status, gender, gender expression or sexual identity, and/or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity and femininity (so called “gender stereotyping”).
Policy Title
Pregnancy And Parenting Policy
Policy Policy Statement
This policy is designed to protect the rights of pregnant and parenting students and to maintain a community free from sex-based discrimination in accordance with the Title IX regulations and the University’s community standards.
Reasonable Accommodations for Students Affected by Pregnancy, Childbirth, or Related Conditions
Students seeking a period of modified academic responsibilities must consult with the Title IX Office and faculty members to engage in the interactive process to determine appropriate reasonable accommodations. The student will work with the Title IX Office to receive excused absences, allow for make-up work, allow for other adjustments and/or to reduce the student’s overall course load as appropriate.
Modified Academic Responsibilities Policy for Parenting Students
Students with parenting responsibilities who wish to remain engaged in their coursework while adjusting their academic responsibilities because of the birth or adoption of their child or placement of a foster child may request an academic modification period of up to the period of time that is determined to be medically necessary by the student’s provider. Extensions may also be granted where additional time is required due to extraordinary parenting responsibilities.
Students seeking a period of modified academic responsibilities must consult with the Title IX Office. The Title IX Coordinator or designee will consult with faculty members and the student to engage in the interactive process to determine appropriate modifications. The Title IX Coordinator will work with the student and faculty members on determining reasonable accommodations and/or to reduce the student’s overall course load as appropriate.
Medical Leave
Medical leave is available for pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions for the period of time deemed medically necessary by a student’s provider. A student taking a medical leave under this policy shall provide the Title IX Office with a notice of the intent to take medical leave at least thirty days prior to the initiation of leave, or as soon as practicable. Students who elect to take medical leave under this policy will remain in active status and may register for classes.
Retaliation
Faculty, staff, and other University employees are prohibited from interfering with or retaliating against a student for seeking reasonable accommodations, taking medical leave or otherwise exercising their rights under this Policy. Any student allegations of discrimination or retaliation related to pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, or parenting should be directed to the Title IX Office for review and examination in accordance with the University’s Sexual Misconduct and Gender-Based Harassment Policy.
Discretion in Application
The University retains discretion to interpret and apply this policy in a manner that, in its determination, is reasonable, even if the University’s interpretation or application differs from the interpretation of the parties.
Accommodations Request Procedures
If a student discloses that they are experiencing a situation that is a pregnancy related condition or parenting related, the student must be referred to the Title IX Coordinator or to the Title IX Pregnancy and Parenting webpage to request accommodations.
If the student submits a request for accommodations, the Title IX Coordinator will meet with the student to explain the process, discuss their specific needs and documentation requirements, and collect any additional relevant information.
The student will submit their documentation from their provider to the Title IX Coordinator, which shall include the student’s name, provider’s name, medical facility, contact information and expected leave dates. The Title IX Coordinator may contact the provider or medical facility to verify any information if necessary.
The Title IX Coordinator will facilitate the accommodations request in collaboration with the DAC and faculty members, engaging in an interactive process, to determine appropriate accommodations for the student. The Title IX Coordinator will communicate with the student regarding the available options for accommodations. The student will inform the Title IX Coordinator of their decision regarding the accommodations.
The Title IX Coordinator will forward a formal letter outlining the specific details of the accommodation to the student and faculty members.
Notes
N/A
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