Policies and Rights

Student Pregnancy and Parenting Nondiscrimination Policy

This policy protects you from discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting status. It ensures you can continue your education without being penalized for being pregnant or being a parent.

What This Policy Means for You

Under this policy, UTA:

• Cannot require you to drop classes or leave school because you are pregnant or have children.
• Cannot exclude you from any classes, programs, or activities because of your pregnancy or parenting status.
• Must provide reasonable adjustments to help you continue your education.
• Must excuse absences related to pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting for doctor appointments and medical needs.
• Must allow you to make up work you missed due to pregnancy or parenting-related absences.

If you are pregnant, UTA will work with you to provide reasonable adjustments to help you stay in school and succeed. These adjustments are based on your individual needs.

Examples of Reasonable Adjustments

• Allowing more frequent bathroom breaks during class or exams
• Providing a larger desk or more comfortable seating
• Allowing you to eat or drink water during class if needed
• Excusing absences for prenatal appointments
• Allowing you to turn in assignments early or late due to childbirth
• Providing access to lactation rooms
• Allowing you to take exams at a different time if needed
• Keeping you at a safe distance from hazardous substances or activities

Important: You do not need medical documentation to request reasonable adjustments. Your own confirmation of your needs is enough.

You have the right to take a voluntary leave of absence from school if you need time off due to pregnancy, childbirth, or recovery. Texas law requires that this leave be for at least one full semester.

What You Need to Know About Leave

• You can take leave for as long as medically necessary.
• When you return, you must be allowed to return to the same academic standing you had when you left.
• You will have a reasonable amount of time to make up any work you missed.
• Taking leave is completely voluntary - no one can force you to take time off.

To Request Leave: Contact the Dean of Students Office or the Title IX Office.

Texas Education Code Section 51.982 - This law, which took effect September 1, 2023, provides comprehensive protections for pregnant and parenting students at all Texas colleges and universities.

UTA Cannot:

• Make you take a leave of absence or withdraw from your program just because you are pregnant or have children
• Treat you differently or unfairly because you are pregnant or a parent
• Keep you from joining or stop you from participating in any course, activity, or program

UTA Must:

• Provide reasonable accommodations similar to those given to students with temporary medical conditions
• Provide accommodations related to your health and safety, such as keeping you away from hazardous substances or activities that could harm you or your unborn child
• Allow you to take a voluntary leave of absence for at least one semester (or longer if medically necessary)
• Return you to the same academic status when you come back from leave
• Have a clear policy about pregnancy and parenting discrimination
• Make this policy easy to find on the UTA website
• Provide contact information for the person or office you can reach out to for help (the Student Parent Liaison)

Title IX is a federal law that protects you from sex discrimination in education. This includes discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. All schools that receive federal funding (including UTA) must follow Title IX.

What Title IX Protects You From

Title IX makes it illegal to discriminate against you because of:

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• False pregnancy, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy
• Recovery from any pregnancy-related condition
• Lactation (breastfeeding or pumping milk)
• Parenting status