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Pregnancy & Parenting

Title IX & Clery Compliance

UNCW is committed to creating and maintaining an environment where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination.  Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes pregnancy, parenting and all related conditions, in education and in programs and activities that receive federal funding.

Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights’ pamphlet entitled Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (PDF) includes strategies that can be used to address the educational needs of students who become pregnant or are parenting. Although this pamphlet focuses on secondary schools, the legal principles apply to all recipients of federal financial assistance, including post-secondary institutions.

Please use the Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance's Pregnant and Parenting Resource Referral Form when seeking accommodations or when referring a student who is pregnant, parenting, or has a related condition.

REPORT A PREGNANT & PARENTING ACCOMMODATION REQUEST

Find more information on Pregnant and Parenting Students below.

Students

Faculty, staff or other employees shall not require a student to take a leave of absence, withdraw or limit their studies or activities due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Further, students have the right:

  • To be reinstated after a period of leave for the condition(s) below at the same status as when the leave began.
  • To preserve future eligibility for their scholarship, fellowship, or similar university-supported funding when taking parental leave.
  • To not be harassed based on their protected class status.
  • To be free from retaliation for exercising rights under the UNCW Anti-Discrimination Policy.
  • Pregnancy,
  • Childbirth,
  • Lactation Rooms,
  • False pregnancy,
  • Termination of pregnancy,
  • Pregnancy loss,
  • Recovery from any of the above, and
  • Parental responsibilities for medically necessary child healthcare
Parenting and pregnancy-related services apply to all persons regardless of gender identity or expression.
  • Yes, there are dedicated lactation rooms on UNCW’s campus. Each space offers a clean, secure, and private space for parenting students or employees who need to express breast milk or nurse while on campus. Individuals should bring any personal supplies needed with them. Lactation spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis.
  • UNCW’s Lactation Rooms
    • Administrative Annex, Room 2001
      • Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Please call 910.962.3160 to make arrangements
    • Abrons Student Health Center, Second Floor, DePaolo Hall
      • Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Please call 910.962.3280 and ask to speak to the Lead Nurse or the Director to make arrangements
    • Education Building, Room 121 (back of Alumni Lounge)
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • UNCW Library, Randal Hall, First Floor - Mamava Lactation Pod
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
        • Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
        • Saturday - Closed
        • Sunday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
      • To access the space, please visit the Library Help Desk or the Library Security Desk to obtain the code. The pod can also be found on the Mamava app, a free locator app that helps lactating individuals find thousands of approved lactation spaces.
    • UNCW Library, Discovery Hall, First Floor - Family Room
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.
        • Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
        • Saturday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
        • Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
      • Space for Baby Changing and Lactation Use
    • Veterans Hall, Room 1536 (CHHS side)
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • To start the process, you can complete this online form.
    • You may also contact the Director of Title IX and Clery Compliance via titleix@uncw.edu or 910.962.3557.
  • Medical documentation is not required unless it is necessary and reasonable.
  • If you are also a student worker or employee, you may be entitled to other benefits under employment policies. Reach out to your Benefits Counselor to learn more.
  • Changes for the health and safety of the student and/or the pregnancy (such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances).
  • Accessible seating and flexible classroom breaks.
  • Flexible deadlines, make-up tests or assignments.
  • Food/water in class
  • Extra time on exams
  • Breaks
  • Remote learning options where not a fundamental alteration to the course.
  • Excusing medically necessary absences (student will still need to make up assignments with opportunity to regain participation points).
  • Incomplete status to extend time to complete course or to re-take course without cost.
  • Leave of absence for as long as medically necessary.
  • Lactation accommodations
Your health care provider determines the medical necessity of your care and the time period(s) during which you are unable to attend school or participate in all activities.

If you experience a temporary or permanent medical situation (such as anemia, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, postpartum depression, etc.), you are encouraged to seek additional disability related accommodations by contacting UNCW’s Disability Resource Center.

  • Modified academic conditions can be provided on a case-by-case basis, particularly within the first six months of the child entering the home. Students are entitled to full relief from academic responsibilities for at least six weeks after the birth or arrival of the child.
  • Extensions may be granted where additional time is required due to medical necessity or extraordinary parenting responsibilities.
  • Coming Soon: UNCW plans to release their policy regarding Pregnant and Parenting Students, to coincide with the release of the Office of Civil Right’s new regulations regarding Title IX and pregnant and parenting students.
  • You may also contact UNCW’s Title IX Office for more information at titleix@uncw.edu or 910. 962.3557.

Faculty

  • If you have questions about how to appropriately accommodate a student who is pregnant or parenting, please contact the Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance. 
  • Collection/requesting of medical documentation by faculty is prohibited.  Please refer students who have concerns and possible accommodation requests to the Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance.
  • If you request medical documentation, you may be requesting legally-protected private information and assuming legal responsibility for its handling.
  • If you request medical documentation, you may become aware of further medical situations that the student is not required to disclose outside of the Title IX or disability accommodation process.
  • Modification to the essential elements of any academic program is not required.  This is a collaborative process, and your participation is integral to this process in order to provide students with reasonable accommodations. 
  • Coming Soon: UNCW plans to release their policy regarding Pregnant and Parenting Students, to coincide with the release of the Office of Civil Right’s new regulations regarding Title IX and pregnant and parenting students.
  • You may also contact the UNCW’s Title IX Office for more information at titleix@uncw.edu or 910.962.3557.
  • Prohibition of gender-based discrimination
    • UNCW is committed to creating and maintaining an environment where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination.  Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes pregnancy, parenting and all related conditions, in the university's education program and activities.
  • Title IX Safeguards for Pregnant and Parenting Students
    • Title IX provides reasonable protections and support for pregnant and parenting students.  Discrimination on the basis of a student's pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of the previous conditions is prohibited by Title IX, and UNCW is committed to providing equal access to academic programs and extracurricular activities to students who might be, are, or have experienced pregnancy or related conditions.  If you need support related to pregnancy or related conditions, you may contact the Director of Title IX & Clery Compliance at 910.962.3557 or titleix@uncw.edu. The Office of Title IX & Clery Compliance can advise you of your rights under Title IX and assist with any reasonable modification and resources needed. For more information, visit uncw.edu/titleix.
    • If you feel that you have been discriminated against due to pregnancy or related conditions, you may contact the Office of Title IX & Clery Compliance from the previously mentioned contact information.

Pregnant Employees

  • Yes, there are dedicated lactation rooms on UNCW’s campus. Each space offers a clean, secure, and private space for parenting students or employees who need to express breast milk or nurse while on campus. Individuals should bring any personal supplies needed with them. Lactation spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis.
  • To learn more about UNCW’s lactation policy for employees, please see 08.231 Lactation Support Policy
  • UNCW’s Lactation Rooms
    • Administrative Annex, Room 2001
      • Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Please call 910.962.3160 to make arrangements
    • Abrons Student Health Center, Second Floor, DePaolo Hall
      • Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Please call 910.962.3280 and ask to speak to the Lead Nurse or the Director to make arrangements
    • Education Building, Room 121 (back of Alumni Lounge)
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • UNCW Library, Randal Hall, First Floor - Mamava Lactation Pod
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
        • Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
        • Saturday - Closed
        • Sunday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
      • To access the space, please visit the Library Help Desk or the Library Security Desk to obtain the code. The pod can also be found on the Mamava app, a free locator app that helps lactating individuals find thousands of approved lactation spaces.
    • UNCW Library, Discovery Hall, First Floor - Family Room
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.
        • Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
        • Saturday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
        • Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
      • Space for Baby Changing and Lactation Use
    • Veterans Hall, Room 1536 (CHHS side)
      • Hours:
        • Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For additional information regarding paid parental leave, please see Human Resource’s Paid Parental Leave webpage.

If you would like to talk through your options for taking family medical leave or would like more information regarding UNCW’s leave provisions for pregnant employees, please contact your Benefits Counselor in Human Resources.

Additional Resources

Office of Civil Right’s Infograph - Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting?

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Fact Sheet: Pregnancy Discrimination