Pregnant and Parenting Students

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Pregnant Student

What the Title IX Federal Law Says

Title IX prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Title IX also prohibits a school, college, or university from applying any rule related to a student's parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on their gender.

What the Texas State Laws Say

Texas Education Code Section 51.982

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 51.9357

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 child care 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 51.983

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.

Pregnant and Parenting Students FAQs

What Are My Rights As a Pregnant and/or Parenting Student?

Students who are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting have the right to:

1. Not be told to drop out or change their educational plans.
2. Be excused from class due to pregnancy-related appointments.
3. Not be harassed due to their pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting status.

Additionally, pregnant 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 Supportive Measures document, click here.

Who Is Collin College's Liaison Officer for Pregnant and Parenting Students?

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

Collin Higher Education Center

3452 Spur 399

Suite 128

McKinney, TX 75069

Phone: 972.599.3126

Email: athroop@collin.edu

What Should I Do If I Need to Miss Classes or Cannot Meet Assignment Deadlines?

Any absences due to pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition(s) must be considered medically necessary and excused. Additionally, any absences for parenting students who need to take their children to doctors' appointments or take care of their sick children must be excused. If you think you will need to take an excused absence(s) due to your pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting status, you should complete and submit the Pregnant and Parenting Students Modifications Application Form.

How Do I Request Modifications Due to Pregnancy or Parenting?

Collin College must provide modifications to a student who is pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting if the student requests them and they are reasonably available. Collin College will provide reasonable modifications to a pregnant student, including modifications that:

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

Collin College will, 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.

Collin College will 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.

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

How Can Pregnant and Parenting Students Register Early?

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 the Registration webpage.

I Am a Faculty or Staff Member Who Has Been Notified a Student Is Pregnant or Parenting. What Should I Do?

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.

Are There Lactation Spaces On Campus?

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.

What Childcare Options Are Available?

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.

What Campus and Community Resources Are Available for Pregnant and Parenting Students?

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 Supportive Measures 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

What Should I Do If I Think I have Been Discriminated Against Because I am Pregnant or Parenting?

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

To learn more about reporting prohibited conduct, click here.

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

Title IX Resources

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