PREGNANT & NURSING STUDENTS

About This Policy

Policy Statement

The university is dedicated to creating a community where pregnant and parenting students can succeed and where becoming a parent does not create a barrier to education. The university prohibits any form of discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions and will make reasonable changes to its rules and practices to support a student’s equal access to all programs and activities.

To protect a student’s ability to continue their education, the university will not require a pregnant or parenting student to do the following things just because of their status:

• The university will not require a student to take a leave of absence or leave their degree program.
• The university will not require a student to limit their studies.
• The university will not require a student to join an alternative program.
• The university will not require a student to change their major or degree program.
• The university will not require a student to stop taking part in any course, activity, or program.

The university will provide reasonable changes for a pregnant student. This support is similar to the help given to a student with a temporary medical issue. It also includes changes for the health and safety of the student and their unborn child, like keeping a safe distance from harmful materials, areas, and activities.

For reasons related to a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, or a resulting medical condition, the university must take these actions:

• The university will excuse the student’s absence from class.
• The university will allow the student to make up missed assignments or tests.
• The university will allow the student extra time to finish assignments, just as it would for a student with a temporary medical condition.
• The university will give the student access to class materials and video recordings if other students with excused absences can also get them.

The university will allow a pregnant or parenting student to take a leave of absence. If a student has good grades when they take leave, they can return to their program with the same good standing and will not need to reapply. Also, if the university offers early registration for classes to any group of students, it must also offer early registration to pregnant and parenting students.

Non-Discrimination & Non-Retaliation
The university prohibits discrimination or any negative action against a student for asking for support, taking leave, or using their rights.

Confidentiality
All information about a student’s request for support will be kept as private as possible and will only be shared with university staff who have a real need to know it to help with the accommodation.

Designated Contact
The Title IX Coordinator is the main contact for any student who needs these protections or changes.

Reason For Policy

As a Christian university, North Central is a community committed to demonstrating compassion and support for one another. The university believes that embracing and assisting students through major life events, including pregnancy and parenthood, is a core expression of its values. These rules provide the necessary support and flexibility for students to achieve academic excellence while managing their family responsibilities. This commitment to caring for our community also fulfills the university’s duty to follow all state and federal laws.

Policy Scope

These provisions apply to all pregnant and parenting students, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, in their capacity as students.

Procedures

• Requesting Accommodation

Forms

• There are no forms associated with this policy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Who is the main contact for a student needing academic support?
A: A student can start the process with their instructor or department head. For privacy or extra help, they must contact the campus pregnancy accommodation coordinator (the Title IX Coordinator), who can guide the process.

Q: Can a student take time off from school and return to their studies later?
A: Yes. A student with good grades has the right to take a leave of absence and return to their program with the same good grade status without having to reapply.

Q: Are absences due to pregnancy or childbirth excused?
A: Yes. The university will excuse absences for medically necessary reasons related to pregnancy and childbirth, with a doctor’s note.

Q: What is the “interactive process”?
A: It is the good-faith talk between the university and a student to find and agree on an effective and reasonable accommodation. Both the student and the university must take an active part in this conversation.

Q: Does a student need a doctor’s note for every request?
A: No. The university will not ask for a note when the need is clear, has been provided before, or for guaranteed accommodations like lactation needs.

Q: Can the university deny a request for an accommodation?
A: Yes, but only in rare cases. A request might be denied after the interactive process if it is found to be unreasonable because it would fundamentally change a program or was requested too late.

Q: What should a student do if their request is denied or they feel they are treated unfairly?
A: Concerns about a denied accommodation or unfair treatment must be reported to the campus Title IX office.

Appendices

• Appendix A: Examples of Reasonable Accommodations Reasonable
• Appendix B: Deciding if an Accommodation is Reasonable
• Appendix C: Medical Documentation Rules

Additional Contacts

Definitions

Campus Pregnancy Accommodation Coordinator
The university official who helps with the interactive process for students and receives private medical notes. State law requires the Title IX Coordinator to be the designated point of contact for students requesting these protections.

Fundamental Alteration
A change so big that it would alter the essential requirements or learning goals of a course or academic program.

Good Academic Standing
The status of a student who meets the university’s standards for grades and progress toward finishing their degree.

Interactive Process
The good-faith talk between the university and a student to find an effective and reasonable accommodation.

Parenting Student
A student at the university who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18.

Pregnancy or Related Conditions
Includes pregnancy, childbirth, ending a pregnancy, lactation, related medical issues, and recovery.

Reasonable Accommodation
A change to the academic environment that helps a student take part in the university’s programs, as long as it does not fundamentally change a program.

Responsible Administrator
The person with the authority to put an accommodation in place, like an instructor or department head.

Retaliation / Adverse Action
Any action that might stop a reasonable person from asking for an accommodation or using their rights.

Title IX Coordinator
The university official who oversees compliance with federal laws that prohibit sex-based discrimination. As required by state law, this person is the designated point of contact for students requesting protections related to pregnancy and parenting.

Responsibilities

Student

• Must start the accommodation process in a timely manner.
• Must communicate their needs clearly and take part in the interactive process in good faith.
• Must provide any required medical information to the campus pregnancy accommodation coordinator.
• Must communicate with their instructors to arrange for making up missed work.

Responsible Administrator (e.g., Instructor, Department Head)

• Must engage in the interactive process in good faith when a student makes a request.
• Must work to put approved accommodations in place.
• Must keep the student’s information private.
• Must talk with the correct offices, such as the Title IX office, before denying a request.

Faculty/Instructor

• Must work with students who have an approved academic support plan.
• Must provide fair opportunities for students to make up missed assignments, quizzes, and tests in a timely way.

Campus Pregnancy Accommodation Coordinator (Title IX Coordinator)

• Acts as the designated point of contact and guide for student accommodation requests, as required by state law.
• Will receive and review private medical notes from students.

Will help create support plans and share necessary information with the right people to put the plan in place.

RELATED INFORMATION

University Policies & Procedures

• Parental Leave Policy: https://www.northcentral.edu/policy/parentalleave/
• Bias, Discrimination, & Harassment Policy: https://www.northcentral.edu/policy/bias/
• Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) Policy: https://www.northcentral.edu/policy/sexualmisconduct/
• Non-retaliation Policy: https://www.northcentral.edu/policy/non-retaliation/

Relevant Legislation

• Minnesota Statute 135A.1582: Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students – https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2024/cite/135A.1582

History

Issued
2025-08-11