1502P | College Procedures for Responding to Title IX Reports Involving Pregnant or Parenting Students

Policy Manager: Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students + Title IX Coordinator

Section 1. Introduction

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy and parent status – in educational programs and activities. Discrimination against any student, or the exclusion of any student from participation in any part of the College’s education program or activity, on the basis of a student’s actual or potential pregnancy is prohibited. For purposes of this procedure, “pregnancy” means pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.

Section 2. Requesting Accommodation and Adjustments

A student seeking accommodations or adjustments because of pregnancy should contact the Title IX Coordinator, Amanda Fronek, Ph.D., at [email protected] or 216-421-7427 and advise that they need pregnancy-related accommodations.

Disclosure of pregnancy is voluntary, and it is the pregnant student’s obligation to disclose and affirmatively seek any necessary accommodations and adjustments. Once a student discloses a pregnancy, the College will collaborate with the student to develop an appropriate plan for continuation of the student’s education.

Requests for modifications to academic requirements made by pregnant or parenting students must be given the same consideration as requests made by other students (e.g., if a student diagnosed with a viral infection is given permission to attend class remotely, a pregnancy student experiencing persistent morning sickness or with a child experiencing an extended illness should be given the same consideration).

Section 3. Institutional Response

Upon receiving a request for excused absences/leave of absence, the Title IX Coordinator will request a letter from the student’s physician providing dates on which the student’s attendance must be excused and a statement that the absences are medically necessary.

Upon receiving a request for academic accommodations, the Title IX Coordinator will review similar requests made by students receiving academic modifications for other temporary medical conditions to determine appropriate accommodations.

The Title IX Coordinator will work with the student and any faculty members to create a plan for completion of course work and continuation of the student’s education. Individual plans may be adjusted as circumstances change.

Section 4. Reporting Violations

A person may report any alleged violations to the Title IX Coordinator, Amanda Fronek, Ph.D., at [email protected] or 216-421-7427

Section 5. Institutional Response

Upon receiving a report of discrimination based on sex stereotypes, the Title IX Coordinator or their designee will conduct a thorough investigation and determine what, if any, actions are necessary to restore the individual’s rights.

Approval Authority:

Adoption and Revision History