Pregnant and Parenting Students

In June 2013, the Office of Civil Rights, within the Department of Education, issued guidance that it
is illegal for schools to exclude a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational
program. This prohibition applies to classes, extracurricular programs, interscholastic sports, and
student leadership opportunities. The purpose of this amendment is to encourage and support
students who may not otherwise complete their education due to pregnancy and conditions
related to pregnancy.

This Title IX regulation specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy,
childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions,
this includes the parenting fathers. The Title IX regulation also prohibits a school from applying
any rule related to a student’s parental, family, or marital status that treats the student differently
based on their sex.

At Rock Valley College, a pregnant student may utilize the process established for any student
with a temporary medical condition. A pregnant student must be given excused absences due
to pregnancy or pregnancy-related issues for as long as deemed medically necessary by a doctor.
The student seeking an excused or extended absence should first contact the Dean of Students
Office using the Hospitalization Procedure and provide medical documentation. The Dean of
Students Office will then communicate with the student's faculty alerting them to their medical
leave and requesting reasonable accommodations. The student will be strongly encouraged to
also contact their faculty member or supervisor to inform them if an excused absence is needed.
The student and faculty will identify a reasonable timeframe for any missed assignments and/
or class accommodations. If a pregnant or parenting student feels they are being treated unfairly,
the student should then seek out additional information from the Title IX Coordinator, second
floor Student Center. A pregnant or parenting student will be expected to provide medical
documentation from their doctor.

In addition, Rock Valley College provides a “Lactation Room” available for nursing mothers. It is
located in the Student Center room 1221and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.