Pregnant and Parenting Students

Additionally, pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and parenting statuses apply to both partners, regardless of sex or gender identity; therefore, the non-birthing partner is also protected by both state and federal laws.

 

Collin College has created a document designed to help pregnant and parenting students determine their rights under Title IX and Texas state laws. This document also provides information about resources available on campus and in the community. To view the Pregnant and Parenting Students' Rights and Resources document, click here.

Title IX prohibits discrimination against a student based on the student's current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions, including childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Title IX also prohibits a school, college, or university from adopting or implementing any policy, practice, or procedure concerning a student’s current, potential, or past parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently on the basis of sex.

 

For more information on Collin College's compliance with Title IX, click here.

Texas Education Code Section 51.9357 aka Texas House Bill 1361 88(R)

Each institution of higher education shall designate at least one (1) employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer for current or incoming students at the institution who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. The liaison officer shall provide to the students information regarding support services and other resources available to the students at the institution, including:

 

1. Resources to access:

a. Medical and behavioral health coverage and services; and

b. Public benefit programs, including programs related to food security, affordable housing, and housing subsidies;

2. Parenting and childcare resources;

3. Employment resources;

4. Transportation assistance;

5. Student academic success strategies; and

6. Any other resources developed by the institution to assist the students.

 

Not later than May 1 of each academic year, an institution of higher education shall submit to the coordinating board a report that contains the following information regarding students enrolled at the institution for the current academic year who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age:

 

1. The number of those students;

2. Demographic data, including age, race, sex, and ethnicity;

3. Academic data, including full-time or part-time enrollment status and graduation, transfer, and withdrawal rates; and

4. Other data as prescribed by coordinating board rule.

 

Texas Education Code Section 51.982 aka Texas Senate Bill 412 88(R)

An institution of higher education may not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student's status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student's pregnancy or parenting to:

 

1. Take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program;

2. Limit the student's studies;

3. Participate in an alternative program;

4. Change the student's major, degree, or certificate program; or

5. Refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.

 

An institution of higher education shall provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations that:

 

1. Would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or

2. Are related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.

 

An institution of higher education shall, for reasons related to a student's pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:

 

1. Excuse the student's absence;

2. Allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;

3. Allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and

4. Provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available to any other student with an excused absence.

 

An institution of higher education shall allow a pregnant or parenting student to:

 

1. Take a leave of absence; and

2. If in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.

 

Texas Education Code Section 51.983 aka Texas Senate Bill 459 88(R)

If an institution of higher education provides early registration for courses or programs at the institution for any group of students, the institution shall provide early registration for those courses or programs for parenting students in the same manner.

In accordance with the Texas Education Code Section 51.9357, the following person is designated as Collin College's liaison officer for pregnant and parenting students:

 

Liaison Officer for Pregnant and Parenting Students

Amy Throop

Associate Dean Title IX Compliance

Technical Campus

2550 Bending Branch Way

Suite A004/A006

Allen, TX 75013

Phone: 972.599.3126

Email: athroop@collin.edu

Students who are pregnant and/or parenting (i.e., the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age) are eligible to register on the first day of priority registration. To opt into early registration, you will need to submit the Pregnant and Parenting Students Request for Early Registration Form. For specific information on registration dates and requirements, see Collin College's Registration webpage. 

Any absences due to pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition(s) must be considered medically necessary and excused. Students who think they will need to take an excused absence(s) due to their pregnancy and/or pregnancy-related condition(s) should complete and submit the Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions Modifications Application Form. Students who are pregnant and/or experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s) are responsible for following the professor's syllabus policies, including, but are not limited to, those regarding absences due to issues that are not related to the student's pregnancy and/or pregnancy-related condition(s).

 

Intermittent absences due to a student's parenting status are not covered under federal and state laws. These absences will need to be addressed by each professor in accordance with the attendance/absence policy stated in their course syllabus.

 

In accordance with Title IX and Texas state laws, Collin College will permit, but not require, a student who is pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting to take a leave of absence related to their pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting status. see the How Do I Request a Leave of Absence Due to Pregnancy, a Pregnancy-Related Condition(s), and/or Parenting section below for more information.

In accordance with Title IX and Texas state laws, Collin College provides classroom modifications to students who are pregnant and/or experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s) on a case-by-case basis if the student requests them and they are reasonably available. The objective of reasonable modifications is to accommodate the student who is pregnant and/or experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), not to dilute scholastic requirements.

 

The Title IX Office works with students who are pregnant and/or experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s) to provide reasonable modifications on a case-by-case basis. Students who need to request reasonable modifications due to pregnancy and/or a pregnancy-related condition(s) should complete and submit the Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions Modifications Application Form.

In accordance with Title IX, Collin College must allow a student who is pregnant and/or experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s) to voluntarily take a leave of absence from Collin College’s education program or activity to cover, at minimum, the period of time deemed medically necessary by the student’s licensed healthcare provider. To the extent that a student qualifies for leave under the Texas state law requirements listed below, Collin College must permit the student to take voluntary leave under that policy instead, if the student so chooses.

 

In accordance with the Texas Education Code Section 51.982, Collin College will permit, but not require, a student who is pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting to take a leave of absence related to their pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting status for a minimum of one (1) semester without a showing of medical need. The student will not be required to provide a doctor’s certification or documentation to obtain a leave of absence. Therefore, Collin College may not ask for documentation related to leaves of absence.

 

The Title IX Office works with students who are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting to process leave of absence requests, in consultation with the appropriate program director, associate academic/workforce dean, and/or academic/workforce dean. Students who are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting and need to request a leave of absence should complete and submit the Pregnant and Parenting Students Leave of Absence Request Form.

 

Collin College encourages students to meet with the Financial Aid Office and/or the Collin College Foundation (i.e., scholarship office) before the student takes a leave of absence. Students can contact the Financial Aid Office at 972.881.5760 or FinancialAid@collin.edu and/or the Collin College Foundation at 972.599.3145 or foundation@collin.edu to schedule a meeting with the appropriate staff member(s).

If a student has informed you that they are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting, please notify Collin College's liaison officer for pregnant and parenting students by submitting the Pregnant and Parenting Students Information Form or sending an email to athroop@collin.edu. 

Yes, Collin College is required to provide a lactation space, which must be a space other than a bathroom that is clean, shielded from view, free from intrusion by others, and may be used by a student for expressing breast milk or breastfeeding, as needed. Each campus has at least one (1) designated lactation space. Contact the appropriate Campus Provost's Office to obtain access. Contact information for each Campus Provost's Office is located here.

Collin College provides a Child Development Lab School at the Plano Campus. Qualifying students and Collin College employees may enroll their children in the Child Development Lab School as space permits. The children's program promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development in a nurturing and supportive environment. Daily activities are based on individual children's needs and interests. For more information on the Child Development Lab School or a fee schedule, call 972.881.5945.

 

There are many childcare facilities in the local community. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) maintains a database parents can use to search for licensed childcare facilities. To access and search the DFPS childcare database, click here.

There are resources on campus and in the local community from which pregnant and parenting students may seek support. Some of these resources are linked below, and information on additional resources can be found in the Pregnant and Parenting Students' Rights and Resources document available here.

 

Campus Resources:

ACCESS Office

Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS)

Counseling Services

Financial Aid and Veterans Services

International Student Office (ISO)

TimelyCare

Veterans Resource Centers (VRCs)

 

Community Resources:

Collin County Cares
Health Services of North Texas (HSNT)
Hope Women's Center
LifePath Systems
Planned Parenthood
Real Options for Women
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Pregnancy and Parenting Education Resources
Texas Health and Human Services Resources for Moms and Moms-to-Be
The Pregnant Scholar
U.S. Department of Education Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination at School
U.S. Department of Education Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students
U.S. Department of Education Title IX Website
Whole Woman's Health

If you believe you have been discriminated against because you are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting, you can contact the liaison officer for pregnant and parenting students listed above, contact one of the Title IX coordinators or deputy Title IX coordinators listed here, and/or submit the online Title IX Formal Complaint Form. 

 

To learn more about reporting prohibited conduct, click here. 

 

Information on Collin College's Title IX investigation and resolution procedures is located here.

To view Title IX resources provided by Collin College, the State of Texas, and the federal government, click here.