Student Rights and Responsibilities

Pregnant and Parenting Students

The U.S. Department of Education regulations concerning pregnancy and related conditions provide that a college that is a recipient of federal funding shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery from these conditions. In the event that the educational institution does not maintain a leave policy for its students (as in the case of SLCC), or in the event that a student does not otherwise qualify for an institutional leave under the policy, the institution is required to treat such conditions as justification for a leave of absence for so long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician.
 
This information is provided both to inform and remind the College community of the institution’s obligation not to discriminate against students on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions.
 
South Louisiana Community College does not discriminate against persons on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and related conditions—in educational programs and activities that are eligible for federal funding.
 
Basic rights under Title IX state that your school must excuse your absence due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary. You must have equal access to school and activities, and special services provided for temporarily disabled students must also be provided for pregnant students.
 
South Louisiana Community College must give all students who might be, are, or have been pregnant the same access to school programs and educational opportunities that other students have. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy must be excused for as long as medically necessary. The student must be given the opportunity to make up missed work, with the goal of having the student graduate on time; if possible, and if desired by the student. These rules supersede any classroom based attendance policy/practices regarding allowable numbers of absences.
 
A school may offer the student alternatives to making up missed work, such as retaking a semester, taking part in an online course credit recovery program, or allowing the student additional time in a program, or allowing the student additional time in a program to continue at the same pace and finish at a later date, especially after longer periods of leave.
 
ASSISTANCE FOR PREGNANT STUDENTS
For medically excused absences, pregnant students should contact the Title IX Coordinator, Erica Precht at erica.precht@solacc.edu. For accommodations, the Title IX Coordinator will assist pregnant students in contacting disability services in the Ardoin Building.
 


*NOTE: Pregnant students are encouraged to seek assistance for excused absences or accommodations as quickly as possible. Some options and accommodations cannot be retroactively applied. Pregnant students seeking assistance during the semester of enrollment will have better options than those notifying the College of their situation after the semester has ended.

INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
 

The U.S. Department of Education regulations concerning pregnancy and related conditions provide that a college that is a recipient of federal funding shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery from these conditions.

Basic rights under Title IX state that SLCC must excuse a student's absence due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as a doctor says it is necessary.

Example accommodations include:

  • Flexible Attendance: This includes excused tardiness and an unlimited number of excused absences with no grade penalty. It also includes the ability to complete course requirements at home when feasible and submit them electronically. In addition, the student is entitled to an extension for assignment due dates. If the student is unable to meet course objectives, then you may request alternatives such as a grade of Incomplete or withdrawal from the course
  • Class Section Change (e.g. in-person to online)
  • Limited Exposure to Potentially Dangerous Substances (e.g., Lab or Clinical)
  • Limited Lifting • Limited Standing • Separate or Different Table/Chair
  • Restroom Use (e.g., frequency)

Your Role:

Content for Letter of Support: Below is the information the college is looking for in evaluating an individual’s request for accommodation(s). Please include the following in your letter of support:

  1. What type of accommodation the student is in need of (listed above)
  2. Estimated Due Date
  3. If accommodation includes time away from class, include an estimated date when a student needs to begin time away from class and a date when the student should be able to resume in-person participation. This is for planning purposes and can change if needed

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