ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

Faculty and staff may provide a range of reasonable supportive measures to ensure pregnant and parenting students can continue their education safely and successfully. These adjustments are designed to maintain academic progress while supporting the student’s health, well-being, and unique circumstances.

1. Making modifications to the physical environment (such as accessible seating, standing or sitting);
2. Allowing for additional restroom breaks;.
3. Extending deadlines and/or allowing the student to make up tests or assignments missed
4. Excusing absences;
   1. This is irrespective of classroom attendance requirements set by a faculty member, department, or division
   2. Upon their return, the student will be reinstated to the extent possible to the same status held prior to the absence.
5. Faculty may offer alternatives to making up any missed work;
6. Implementing incomplete grades for classes that will be resumed at a future date;
7. Allow for an Administrative Withdrawal (AW) if requested;
8. Allow remote learning options if available and requested;
9. Providing reasonable supportive measures requested by a pregnant student to protect the health and safety of the student and/or the pregnancy (such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances or equipment). Safety Data Sheets for labs are in a folder cage on the lab's wall;
10. Allowing breastfeeding students reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a private, clean, and reasonably accessible location. Bathroom stalls do not satisfy this requirement;
11. In situations like clinical rotations, performances, labs, and group work, the institution will work with the student to devise an alternative path to completion, if possible, if the modification does not alter the program.

Supportive measures are available to pregnant students for pregnancy and related conditions for as long as they are medically necessary. Following the birth of a child, supportive measures may continue for up to six months to address recovery, the health of the birth parent, or medically necessary conditions of the child. This time frame may be extended in extenuating circumstances.

The College supports the rights of nursing mothers in the workplace in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Mothers returning to work following the birth of a child will be provided reasonable break periods to express breast milk. The College has dedicated a Lactation room on every TCC campus for any student, employee, or visitor to use to express milk or to be used to feed a child if desired. Here is a list of the Lactation rooms:

If the room is locked, please contact Campus Police at 918-595-8888.

• Metro Campus Academic Building - MC130
• Metro Campus Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity Building - 1068 (Green Room - Dual Purpose)
• Northeast Campus Academic Building - AB 147
• Southeast Campus Science and Math Building - SEC8156
• Southeast Campus - SEC2226
• West Campus - IC 107
• Aviation Center - Room 123
• Education Outreach Center - Room 104 (Dual Purpose)

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and the surrounding area offer a range of resources to support pregnant and parenting students, including healthcare, childcare, counseling, and assistance with basic needs. Explore the programs below to find support for you.

Faculty

Faculty play a key role in supporting pregnant and parenting students by ensuring equal access to educational opportunities. When notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, faculty should provide reasonable supportive measures based on the student’s needs, allow continued participation in classes and activities, and avoid requiring medical documentation. 

Faculty should also work with students to address missed coursework, including offering flexibility with deadlines, alternative assignments when appropriate, and assigning an incomplete grade with an extended time frame when coursework cannot be finished during the term. These efforts help maintain academic progress while supporting the student’s health and well-being.

To support faculty and staff, we’ve provided a Pregnancy and Parenting Guidance document to help answer common questions and outline expectations.

Pregnancy & Parenting Guidance

In addition, Stephanie Merritt, Associate Professor in the Nursing School, has recorded a video for faculty on the rights of pregnant students.

Staff

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and its employees will not require pregnant students to limit their involvement in school clubs, academic societies, honors programs, or athletics. A pregnant student must be eligible to hold leadership positions in these activities. A pregnant student may not be excluded from an activity that is part of the school’s educational program, even if the activity is not operated directly by the school.

No. Pregnancy alone is not a mandatory reporting situation under Title IX. However, faculty are encouraged to connect students with the Office of Civil Rights Compliance for support and resources if questions or needs arise.

No. Absences must be excused if they are for pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions. Excused absences and reasonable opportunities to make up missed work must be provided. Even if your syllabus includes an absence penalty, students cannot be penalized for pregnancy or pregnancy-related absences.

Faculty should avoid discussing the student’s situation with colleagues, classmates, or others who are not directly involved in providing support. 

Yes. Remote participation is an option in some cases, but not all classes can reasonably provide remote or online learning. In those cases, faculty can look for alternative assignments or adjust coursework to temporarily limit in-person attendance. Any adjustments should maintain course learning objectives and academic standards.

Supportive measures related to pregnancy protections apply only to the pregnant student. It would be up to the faculty’s discretion to allow a partner any support.

As faculty, unless the student has informed you of the reason they are missing class, follow your normal process for any absent student. When the student does return, allow them to make up any missed work. You can contact the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, and we may be able to reach out to the student to assist.