Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's “actual or potential" parental, family, or marital status or “pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom." Generally speaking, this means that schools must give all individuals who might be, are, or have been pregnant (whether currently parenting or not) equal access to school programs and extracurricular activities. For the most part, compliance entails simply treating pregnant and parenting individuals in the same way that schools treat other individuals who are similarly able or unable to participate in school activities. Title IX also requires schools to prevent and address sex-based harassment, which includes harassment based on pregnancy. In addition to offering general protection, Title IX regulations detail how the law applies to a range of specific activities and policies that affect pregnant and parenting individuals. These regulations govern activities both in and outside of the classroom.
Pregnancy or related conditions
Defined as pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation, medical conditions related to those events, or recovery from those events.
Right to privacy
Equity & Title IX is committed to maintaining the privacy of all individuals. Information about pregnancy and related conditions will be shared if there is a legitimate need to know. Information about pregnant students' requests for reasonable modifications will be shared with employees only to the extent necessary to provide reasonable modifications. Employees should not ask for medical documentation for any pregnancy or related condition.
Rights in Title IX
- You have equal access to classes and activities.
- The University/department cannot make you take time off if you don't want to. However, they must provide you with withdrawal/re-enrollment information should you choose to explore that option.
- The University/department must excuse your absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as a your doctor deems medically necessary.
- When you return, the University/department must allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status you had before you left.
- You cannot be excluded from a special program because you are pregnant or experiencing a related condition.
- The University/department cannot make you change your major or degree program because you are pregnant or experiencing a related condition. They also cannot force you to attend an alternate program, like an evening program.
- You can take part in activities for as long as you want. The University/department cannot stop you from joining clubs, going to events, or participating in research unless the same rules apply for all students who have a temporary medical condition.
- Any lactating student has the right to a clean and private lactation space on campus. A list of available lactation spaces is located on under “request support" or by contacting Equity & Title IX. If you do not see a convenient lactation space on this list, contact Equity & Title IX for an alternative arrangement.
- If you feel any of the above rights have been violated, please contact Equity & Title IX immediately.