Pregnancy and Parental Status

I. Our Commitment

MUSC is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all our students, including those who are pregnant or parents. We understand the unique challenges that come with pregnancy and parenting. Our goal is to ensure that you have the resources and accommodations to succeed academically while managing your responsibilities. The Title IX Office is here to facilitate personalized support and modifications tailored to your needs.

 

II. Reasonable Modifications

Our team consults with the student to develop an individualized plan to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to MUSC’s education program or activities. The student has discretion to accept or decline each reasonable modification offered.

 

Below is a non-exhaustive list of possible reasonable modifications:

 

Academic Flexibility:

  • Breaks during class, clinic, lab, etc. to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom
  • Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
  • Extensions of time for coursework and rescheduling of exams
  • Access to online or remote learning options
  • Changes in schedule or course sequence

 

Physical Accommodations:

  • Limiting exposure to toxic substances that present health risks to pregnant students
  • Changes in physical space or supplies (e.g., access to a larger desk or a footrest)
  • Access to lactation spaces and reasonable break times to express milk
  • Closer parking
  • Allowing a student to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby

 

Support Services:

  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Peer support groups
  • Childcare resources and referrals

 

III. Voluntary Leaves of Absence

Students may voluntarily take a leave of absence for as long as is deemed medically necessary by their healthcare provider.

 

When the student returns from voluntary leave of absence, the student will be reinstated to the academic status and, as practicable, to the extracurricular status that the student held when the voluntary leave began.  

 

IV. How To Request Reasonable Modifications and a Leave of Absence

  1. Fill out the Request Form. Complete the Pregnancy Accommodations Request Form
  2. Consultation. Meet with the Title IX Coordinator to discuss your needs and develop a personalized plan.
  3. Implementation. Receive your accommodations and ongoing support throughout your academic journey.

 

V. Your Rights Under Title IX

  • Prohibited Discrimination. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions as well as parental, family or marital status. The prohibition against discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions includes current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions. Title IX prohibits harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and other forms of discrimination because of pregnancy-related conditions.
  • Scope. Title IX protections apply to all aspects of MUSC’s program and activities, including admissions, academics, extracurricular, research, occupational training, etc.
  • Pregnancy or related conditions means (1) pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; (2) medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy,or lactation; or (3) recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related medical conditions.
  • Medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation include, but are not limited to: pregnancy-related fatigue; dehydration (or the need for increased water intake); nausea (or morning sickness); increased body temperature; anemia; and bladder dysfunction; gestational diabetes; preeclampsia; hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting); pregnancy induced hypertension (high blood pressure); infertility; recovery from childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion; ectopic pregnancy; prenatal or postpartum depression; and lactation conditions, such as swelling or leaking of breast tissue or mastitis.
  • Temporary Disability. Title IX requires that MUSC treats pregnancy or related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary medical conditions.
  • Reasonable Modifications. Title IX ensures the right for pregnant and postpartum students to receive reasonable modifications.
  • Voluntary Leave. Title IX ensures the right of pregnant students to take time off for as long as is medically necessary. MUSC will not penalize students for taking leave. Any student who takes leave will be permitted to return to their program in the same status they held before taking leave.
  • Reporting. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://web.musc.edu/about/leadership/institutional/offices/equity/federal-and-state-compliance/title-ix
  • Parental, Family, or Marital status discrimination. Title IX prohibits treating individuals differently based on sex related to their parental, family, or marital status. Examples of prohibited conduct include:
    • treating mothers more or less favorably than fathers
    • treating women who care for a child or an aging parent more or less favorably than men who care for a child or an aging parent
    • treating married women more or less favorably than married men
  • Parental status means the status of a person who, with respect to another person who is under the age of 18 or who is 18 or older but is incapable of self-care because of a physical or mental disability, is: a biological parent; a foster parent; a stepparent; a legal custodian or guardian; in loco parentis with respect to such a person; or actively seeking legal custody, guardianship, visitation, or adoption of such a person.
  • Employee Accommodations. Employees may consult with the Title IX Coordinator regarding their rights or file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator. However, requests for accommodations and leave should be made to HR.

 

VI. Resources