
Title IX Pregnancy and Parenting
In support of HCC’s commitment to Title IX and the success of our students, the college offers support to pregnant and parenting students.
Pregnancy
The College is here to support you in achieving your academic goals. Students are not required to inform faculty, staff, or other employees of their pregnancy or related conditions however, to receive approval for pregnancy related accommodations the student will need to submit their request to a member of HCC’s Title IX team to initiate the accommodation process. To ensure timely processing of requests, students should seek assistance as soon as possible.
The college provides reasonable accommodations to student who are pregnant or have pregnancy related conditions. Accommodations can assist the student with ongoing support and/or need based support. Examples of accommodations can include, but are not limited to: a larger desk, ability to make up missed work or an exam as a result of an unforeseen medical impact resulting from the pregnancy, ability to take more frequent breaks, etc. Accommodations can be approved for childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, or any other pregnancy related health issues and/or recovery from any of these conditions.
Parenting
As part of the college’s supportive measures, HCC provides reasonable accommodations to parenting students during the period immediately post-partum (up to 120 days). Support is available to students who are becoming parents through childbirth, adoption and/or foster care placement.
Nursing Parent Information
The College provides support and resources for breastfeeding students, nursing students, and lactating students. These terms are used interchangeably and are intended to include any student who expresses milk for the nourishment of their child. The college’s Wellness Center provides a lactation room where students are invited to pump in a private, relaxing atmosphere.
Nursing students will make all reasonable efforts to pump between classes or outside of instruction time. A student who needs to regularly use the lactation room during instruction time should request accommodations from the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are students required to obtain a doctor’s note before allowing them to attend college if there are concerns about the student’s health or safety?
No. The college is not permitted to require a doctor’s note in order for a student to continue with classes or participate in activities unless medical clearance is required for all students participating in the same course or activity.
Can the college require a pregnant student to participate in a separate program specifically for pregnant students?
No. Pregnant student’s must be permitted to participate in programs offered by the college in the same way any student would participate. If special programs for pregnant students are offered, participation must be voluntary.
Does the College have to excuse absences due to pregnancy or childbirth?
The College is able to provide excused absences for pregnancy or childbirth as long as the student’s doctor has deemed it medically necessary. The student should make all attempts to schedule routine care and appointments at times that do not conflict with college obligations.
Does the college provide accommodations to pregnant students?
Yes. The college provides accommodations to pregnant students consistent with the accommodations provided to any student with a temporary medical condition.
What types of accommodations may be available to pregnant students?
Reasonable accommodations are given on a case by case basis to students to address their specific medical needs. Accommodations are assigned based on the documentation provided by the student’s doctor and a conversation with the student. Examples of possible accommodations include: providing a larger desk, allow frequent trips to the bathroom, provide assistive technology, etc.
Requesting Accommodations
For more information about the support available for pregnant/parenting students or to request accommodations for pregnancy or parenting needs please submit the Information and Accommodation Request Form.
For additional questions or concerns about Pregnancy and Parenting support at HCC please contact:
- Ms. Christy Lee Koontz, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, ckoontz@howardcc.edu or;
- Ms. Zakia Reaves-Johnson, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, zjohnson@howardcc.edu
File a Complaint
A student who has experienced harassment or discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, or parenting status may file a complaint. Complaints must be submitted in writing and include:
- A detailed description of the incident(s) including names and dates to the greatest extent possible.
- Outline any steps the student has taken to resolve the matter prior to filing the complaint.
- The student’s desired resolution if known.
Complaints are submitted to:
Ms. Zakia Reaves-Johnson, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, zjohnson@howardcc.edu or;
Ms. Christy Lee Koontz, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, ckoontz@howardcc.edu