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

In August 2024, new federal regulations strengthened protections for pregnant and parenting students. Here's what you need to know about your rights under these regulations.

Key Rights Under Current Title IX Regulations

You Have the Right To:

• Stay in school: Continue in all your classes and extracurricular activities during pregnancy and after having a baby.
• Participate fully: Join any clubs, sports, honors programs, student leadership, and activities without being excluded because of pregnancy or parenting.
• Choose your path: Decide for yourself whether to participate in separate programs for pregnant students (if UTA offers them).
• Get reasonable modifications: Receive changes to your learning environment to help you succeed.
• Have excused absences: Miss class for doctor appointments, childbirth, recovery, or to care for a sick child - and these absences must be excused.
• Make up missed work: Have a reasonable opportunity to make up any assignments, tests, or participation points you missed due to pregnancy or parenting.
• Take voluntary leave: Take time off from school when medically necessary, for as long as your doctor says you need.
• Return to your program: Come back to the same academic standing you had before your leave, with a reasonable chance to catch up on missed work.
• Access lactation spaces: Use private, comfortable spaces to nurse or pump milk.
• Be free from harassment: Be protected from sexual harassment or harassment based on your pregnancy or parenting status.

Important Things to Remember About Your Rights

• You don't need permission: You do not need to get permission or register with any office to have your basic rights. Your rights exist automatically.
• No proof required for basic adjustments: You do not need to provide medical documentation for reasonable adjustments. Your word that you need the adjustment is enough.
• You can't be forced out: No one can make you drop out, withdraw from classes, or take time off because you are pregnant or have children.
• Your grades can't suffer: You cannot be penalized in your grades for pregnancy-related absences or for taking time to recover from childbirth.
• Professors must comply: Even if a professor has a strict attendance or deadline policy, federal and state law requires them to accommodate your pregnancy and parenting needs.
• Both parents are protected: These protections apply to all parents, regardless of gender. If you are the non-birthing parent, you also have rights to take care of your child.