Pregnant & Parenting Rights

The Title IX statute prohibits discrimination based on gender in all educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. This means colleges and universities cannot discriminate against a student because of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions and must give students the same access to school programs and educational opportunities given to all students. This law applies to female and male parenting students experiencing a birth, adoption or a new foster child.

Yes. Title IX requires Hennepin Tech instructors to excuse a student’s absences due to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, for as long as the student’s health care provider says the absences are medically necessary. When a student returns to the college, she should be reinstated to the status she had before the leave, which includes giving her the opportunity to make up any missed work. Instructors may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline that she missed because of absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or recovery from childbirth.

Yes. Students who miss class for pregnancy-related reasons, childbirth or a related condition can make up missed work as well as any points lost for participation and/or attendance. Faculty should give students the information required to complete make-up work as if they were in class, discuss deadlines for make-up work, and give them at least as much time to complete each assignment as other students had. Make-up options due to absences for parenting students with children 12 years old or younger is appropriate.

The college may offer student alternatives to making up missed work such as withdrawing and appealing or assigning an incomplete grade or other options based on the conversation between the student, faculty member, and the Title IX coordinator.

Modified academic responsibilities vary depending on the student’s situation and are determined through communication between the Title IX Coordinator and the faculty member. It could include modifications to the physical environment such as being a safe distance from hazardous substances, accessible seating, larger desk, temporary elevator access, and/or allowing frequent trips to the restroom because of a pregnancy.

Lab involvements by a pregnant student are determined on a case-by-case basis. If a student’s health care provider says it is safe for a student to do experiments, faculty should comply with that decision. If a health care provider says it is unsafe, faculty should allow the student to make-up the assignment later.

No, but some services are available on campus to all students such as tutoring in the Tutoring Centers.

Not necessarily. Student-loan borrowers should contact the financial aid office to determine the impact of a leave. Recipients of any type of financial aid including grants, loans and scholarships, should discuss the impact of taking fewer credits with the financial aid office staff.

Continuation of a student’s scholarship, fellowship, or similar college-sponsored funding during the leave term will depend on the student’s registration status and the policies of the funding program regarding registration status. Students will not be negatively impacted or forfeit future eligibility for their scholarship or similar college-supported funding by taking leave under this policy.

Spaces are available on the Hennepin Tech campus for students, staff and faculty to breastfeed or pump milk in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible. The Title IX coordinator will provide information about lactation spaces available on the Hennepin Tech campus.

Faculty and staff cannot interfere with students taking leave, seeking reasonable academic adjustments, or otherwise exercising their rights under this policy. Employees cannot retaliate against a student for exercising the rights articulated by this policy, including imposing or threatening negative educational outcomes because a student requests leave or accommodations, files a complaint, or exercises their rights under the policy. Faculty and staff shall not require a student to take a leave of absence or withdraw from or limit their studies due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions.

• Child care listings for the metro area at childcarecenter.us
• Hennepin county housing options at hennepin.us
• Transportation listings at hennepin.us/transit
• Additional Basic Needs Resources

Pregnant and parenting students who have questions regarding protections available to them should meet with the Title IX Coordinator in order start the process for an appropriate academic plan. After this, communication will occur between the Title IX Coordinator and the student’s instructors for course feedback and plan implementation. Students and faculty who have already developed a plan should forward the plan to the Title IX Coordinator for review. Make an appointment with the Title IX Coordinator listed below.

This information is based on information from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students: Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.