Pregnant Student & Related Conditions and Parenting Student Policy

Updated June 2025

Non-Discrimination Statement

Transylvania University does not discriminate in its education program or activity against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Transylvania University prohibits members of the Transylvania University community from adopting or implementing any policy, practice, or procedure that treats an applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee differently on the basis of current, potential, or past parental, family, or marital status. This policy and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant students. 

Pregnant and parenting employees should contact the Office of Human Resources at (859) 233-8701 or hr@transy.edu

Definitions

Familial Status

The configuration of one’s family or one’s role in a family.

Marital Status

The state of being married or unmarried.

Medical Necessity

A determination made by a healthcare professional that a certain course of action is in the patient’s best health interests.

Lactating Person

A person who expresses or pumps milk as well as a person who directly nurses a child.

Parental Status

The status of a person who, with respect to another person who is under the age of 18,1Or a person who is 18 or older but who is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability. is a biological, adoptive, foster, or stepparent; a legal custodian or guardian; in loco parentis with respect to such a person; or actively seeking legal custody, guardianship, visitation, or adoption of such a person.

Parenting

The raising of a child by the child’s parents in the reasonably immediate postpartum period.

The full spectrum of processes and events connected with pregnancy, including pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; related medical conditions; and recovery therefrom.2“[T]he Department interprets ‘termination of pregnancy’ to mean the end of pregnancy in any manner, including, miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.” Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, 89 F.R. 33474, April 29, 2024, codified at 34 C.F.R. 106.

Reasonable Modifications  

For the purpose of this policy, individualized modifications to Transylvania University’s policies, practices, or procedures that do not fundamentally alter Transylvania University’s education program or activity.

Information Sharing Request

Any Transylvania University employee who becomes aware of a student’s pregnancy or related condition is asked to provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information. This is to inform the student that the Title IX Coordinator can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and to ensure equal access to Transylvania University’s education program and activity. 

Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the student to inform them of Transylvania University’s commitments to prohibit sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions. Additionally, the Title IX Coordinator will inform the student of Transylvania University’s ability to:

  • Provide reasonable modifications.
  • Review options for a medical leave of absence.
  • Ensure lactation space availability.

When a student is experiencing pregnancy-related conditions, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the student that Transylvania University will treat pregnancy as comparable to other temporary medical conditions. The Title IX Coordinator will also notify the student of the process to file a complaint for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, as applicable, and to request a resolution for alleged discrimination.

Reasonable Modifications

Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to Transylvania University’s education program and activity and to prevent sex discrimination. Any student may seek reasonable modifications by contacting the Title IX Coordinator to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request reasonable modifications as promptly as possible, as retroactive modifications may not be available in all circumstances. Reasonable modifications are voluntary, and a student may accept or decline offered modifications. Not all reasonable modifications are appropriate for all contexts.

Reasonable Modifications may include:

  • Breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom
  • Access to a lactation space
  • Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
  • Access to online or homebound education, if class requirements permit
  • Changes in schedule or course sequence
  • Time extensions for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations
  • Allowing a student to sit or stand during class or lab time
  • Allowing to carry or keep water and food nearby
  • Counseling
  • Changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest)
  • Elevator access where available
  • A larger uniform or other required clothing or equipment
  • Other changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Title IX Coordinator

In situations such as clinical rotations, performances, labs, or group work, Transylvania University will work with the student to devise an alternative path to completion, if possible. In progressive curricular and/or cohort-model programs, medically necessary leaves are sufficient cause to permit the student to shift course order, substitute similar courses, or join a subsequent cohort when returning from leave. The Title IX Coordinator will work with students, their faculty members, and Transylvania University’s support systems to devise a plan for how to best address the conditions as pregnancy progresses, anticipate the need for leaves, minimize the academic impact of their absence, and get back on track as efficiently and comfortably as possible.

Supporting documentation for modification requests will only be required when it is necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to determine which specific actions or reasonable modifications are necessary to ensure equal access. Documentation, if necessary, should be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator when requested.

Information about pregnant students’ requests for modifications will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the Reasonable Modifications.

Students experiencing pregnancy-related conditions that manifest as a temporary disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are eligible for reasonable modifications just like any other student with a temporary disability. The Title IX Coordinator will consult with the Office of Accessibility Services to ensure the student receives reasonable modifications for their disability as required by law.

Certification to Participate

A student may not be required to provide medical clearance for physical ability to participate in the program or activity, unless:

  1. The certified level of physical ability or health is necessary for participation
  2. The institution requires such certification of all students participating; and
  3. The information obtained is not used as a basis for pregnancy-related discrimination.

Lactation Space Access

Transylvania University provides students and employees with access to a lactation space that is functional, appropriate, and safe. The space is regularly cleaned, shielded from view, and free from the intrusion of others.

A lactation space is located in the following location:

Old Morrison, Room 213
Campus Map

The lactation room in Old Morrison is available for students, employees and guests. The building can be accessed anytime via Crimson card swipe. The accessible entrance (side of Brown Science Center) is unlocked Mo-Fr between 8-5. Public Safety (859-233-8118) can be called for access outside these hours. The lactation room is on the second floor on the east side of the building, at the end of the hall left to Old Morrison Chapel. Elevator access is available. University employees, including student employees, may contact Human Resources for more information on lactation accommodation during their work hours. 

Request for reserving the lactation room is not necessary. Use of the room is on a first-come, first-served basis. The room is unlocked but can be locked from the inside if desired. Please ensure that the door is unlocked prior to leaving. A privacy sign (provided) can be hung on the door when in use. 

Transylvania University does not provide breast pumps but a table suitable to hold a breast pump as well as an electrical outlet is available. Hand sanitizer and wipes are in the lactation room and a bathroom is nearby. Please note that the bathrooms in Old Morrison are not accessible for wheelchair users. If you need an ADA compliant location, please contact Lisa Ladanyi, Title IX/VI/ADA Coordinator, at lladanyi@transy.edu.

Nothing in this policy restricts a person’s right to pump or nurse in areas not designed as a lactation space. In accordance with Kentucky State law,3KRS §211.755 breastfeeding or expressing milk is permitted in locations that the person is otherwise authorized to be.

Leave of Absence

  1. Students

Students are permitted to take a voluntary leave of absence for a reasonable time as deemed medically necessary by their healthcare provider because of pregnancy and/or the birth, adoption, or placement of a child. The leave term may be extended in the case of extenuating circumstances or medical necessity but should not exceed one year. Students who elect to take leave under this policy during a term will be registered as medical leave of absence. When a leave is taken between terms, medical leave of absence is not necessary, and the student may request a standard leave of absence.4Transylvania University Catalog, Leave of Absence

To the extent possible, Transylvania University will take reasonable steps to ensure that students who take a medical leave of absence under this policy return to the same position of academic progress that they were in when they took leave, including access to the same or an equivalent course catalog that was in place when the leave began. If a student exceeds one year and is not enrolled for three consecutive regular terms, they will return under the catalog in place upon readmission.5Transylvania University Catalog, Readmission

Students will not forfeit their future eligibility for Transylvania-funded scholarship or grant aid by exercising their rights under this policy. Transylvania’s financial aid Terms and Conditions6Financial Aid, Terms and Conditions will apply during and following the leave of absence and student. Questions about financial aid eligibility should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.

In order to request a leave of absence under this policy, the student must contact the Title IX Coordinator 30 days prior, or as soon as possible, before the initiation of leave.

  1. Student Employees

Student employees are entitled to the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act. If an employee, including a student-employee, is not eligible for leave under the aforementioned leave policy because they either (1) do not have enough leave time available under that policy, or (2) have not been employed long enough to qualify for leave under that policy, they are eligible to qualify for pregnancy or related condition leave under Title IX. Pregnancy and related conditions will be regarded as a justification for a leave of absence without pay for a reasonable period of time.

Employees who take leave under Title IX must be reinstated to the status held when leave began or a comparable position without a negative effect on any employment privilege or right.

Student Parents

Students with child caretaking/parenting responsibilities who wish to remain engaged in their coursework while adjusting their academic responsibilities because of the birth or adoption of a child or placement of a foster child may request an academic modification period during the first 6-8 weeks after birth or from the time the infant entered the home. Extensions may be granted when additional time is required by medical necessity or extraordinary caretaking/parenting responsibilities.

Students seeking a period of modified academic responsibilities must consult with their faculty members to determine appropriate academic adjustments, such as rescheduling course assignments, lab hours, exams, or other requirements and/or reduce their overall course load. 

Transylvania’s financial aid Terms and Conditions7Financial Aid, Terms and Conditions will apply and financial aid may be affected when enrolled less than full time. Student loan borrowers should direct questions to the office of financial aid to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities as borrowers.

Once appropriate modifications are determined, the Title IX Coordinator will communicate and coordinate adjustment-related efforts with the faculty members. 

If, for any reason, caretaking/parenting students are not able to work with their faculty members to obtain appropriate modifications, students should alert the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible to help facilitate needed modifications.

Students can request modified academic responsibilities under this Policy regardless of whether they elect to take a leave of absence. 

While receiving academic modifications, students will remain registered and retain benefits accordingly.

Transylvania University Student Housing

A pregnant student’s housing status will not be altered based on pregnancy status unless requested by the student. Parenting students’ access to housing is governed by Transylvania University’s Student Life and Housing Policies, outlined in the Student Handbook. Children are not allowed to reside on campus in Student Housing.  

Policy Dissemination and Training

A copy of this policy will be posted on the Transylvania University Title IX website. Notice of this policy and a link to the posted copy will be made available to faculty and employees in annually required training. All new students will be educated about this policy and the location of this policy as part of their Title IX orientation. 

Retaliation and Harassment

Harassment, threats, intimidation, and coercion as well as interfering with a person’s right to seek protection under this policy by any member of the Transylvania University community based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or parental status is prohibited. 

If a Transylvania community member believes to have been discriminated against based on reasons of pregnancy or parenting, they have the right to file a complaint as described in the Transylvania University’s Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy at https://www.transy.edu/campus/title-ix/.

Complaints

Students who wish to make a complaint regarding discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions may do so by contacting the Title IX Coordinator to submit a written complaint.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this policy, grievance procedures, or any other Title IX related concern should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, Lisa Ladanyi (lladanyi@transy.edu; titleix@transy.edu; 859-233-8502). 

Transylvania University