Student Pregnancy and Parental Leave

Policy Statement

Accordingly, and in broad recognition of the challenges of balancing the demands of academic study and caring for and bonding with a new child, this policy is intended to further Adelphi University’s commitment to supporting programs and services to help student parents to meet their family care obligations while they pursue their academic goals. The Policy assists students immediately prior to and/or immediately following the birth or adoption of a child. The purpose of the Policy is to make it possible for a student to maintain registered full-time or part-time student status, along with all the benefits of such status, while facilitating academic progress and a return to coursework and, where applicable, research and teaching in a seamless manner.

Who is Governed by This Policy

All students (undergraduate and graduate). Employees are excluded from this policy and should consult with the Office of Human Resources for parental leave guidelines. Faculty may consult the Parental and Maternity Leave Policy, non-union employees may consult the Human Resources department.

Policy

Guiding Principles

• Adelphi will make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, or procedures as necessary to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to its education program or activity once the Title IX Coordinator is notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition. Reasonable modifications will be based on the student’s individualized needs and Adelphi will consult with the student to make that determination. A modification that would fundamentally alter the nature of Adelphi’s education program or activity is not a reasonable modification.
• Adelphi University requires a reasonable amount of time, as noted within, to review a modification request with the Title IX Office and other appropriate University offices. Adelphi University students are under no obligation to declare a pregnancy, adoption, or that they became an eligible new parent. However, if a student wishes to request a modification under this policy, students will need to disclose the pregnancy or adoption to the Title IX Coordinator. If a student discloses their pregnancy or related condition to an employee at Adelphi, the employee will provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information, inform the student that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the student’s equal access to Adelphi’s education program or activity, and how to access related resources.
• Although Adelphi will make reasonable modifications for students that are pregnant or experiencing a related condition, as a general matter, the University does not permit young children and babies in the classroom environment to ensure that academic standards and instruction are not disrupted.
• In the case of a student’s reasonable modification due to pregnancy or related condition or status as an eligible new parent, the Policy is not intended to replace communication between the student and the program or faculty, but rather to serve as a framework and to provide support for family situations. At all times, the student should work proactively with the advisor, faculty, and program director/chair to ensure progress towards academic goals.
• Faculty should be reasonable in their expectations of students who become new parents, so that students can meet the demands of academic study at the same time that they face new demands in their parental roles.
• Modifications based on the need for childcare are not considered sufficient grounds for a modification under this policy and will not be approved and should not be requested.

Eligibility

The Policy applies to all currently enrolled students (undergraduate and graduate) who:

1. Are pregnant or experience a pregnancy related condition; and
2. Who, regardless of sex or gender, experience a childbirth (either as a birthing parent or whose spouse or partner gives birth) or who adopt a child under the age of 18. Hereinafter, these students will be referred to as “eligible new parents.”

Scope

This Policy applies to all aspects of the University’s education programs and activities, including but not limited to, classes, extracurricular activities, athletic programs, internships, fellowships, clinics, and labs.

Available Modifications or Adjustments

Students who are pregnant or experiencing a pregnancy related condition, are eligible for reasonable modifications to Adelphi’s policies, practices, or procedures as necessary to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to its education program or activity once the Title IX Coordinator is notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition. Reasonable modifications will be based on the student’s individualized needs and Adelphi will consult with the student to make that determination. A modification that would fundamentally alter the nature of Adelphi’s education program or activity is not a reasonable modification. Adelphi may request supporting documentation when it is necessary and reasonable to do so.

Medically Necessary Absences and Missed Work

Faculty members must excuse a student’s medically necessary absence(s) due to pregnancy or a related condition, regardless of that faculty member’s absence policy. Faculty members must allow students, without penalty, to make up any work missed due to medically necessary absences due to pregnancy or related conditions. If any part of a student’s grade is based on class attendance or participation, faculty members must allow students to make up the attendance or participation points, or otherwise not penalize the student, for any time missed due to medically necessary absences for pregnancy or related conditions.

A student will be offered acceptable alternative arrangements to make up missed work, which will not become due until a reasonable time after the student’s medically necessary absences for pregnancy or related condition are completed. Upon the conclusion of a medically necessary leave related to pregnancy or related condition, a student will return to the same academic and extracurricular status as the student had prior to the leave.

Whether an absence is medically necessary is determined by the student’s licensed health care provider, proof of which must be submitted with the request for modification form to the Title IX office.

Eligible new parents

Eligible new parents may request and qualify for a modification(s), depending on the situation.

Academic Modification Period

Eligible new parents are entitled to a parental academic modification period (“modification period”) up to six (6) weeks. Additional time, if needed, may be granted on a case-by-case basis. The specific modification(s) will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may include modifications to the University’s policies, practices and procedures.

This period may be taken immediately prior to and/or immediately following the birth or adoption; additional time, if needed, may be granted on a case-by-case basis. However, the eligible new parent must complete the modification period directly after and/or before the birth or adoption. The student may not divide the time period of parental modification for use past this time frame. Unless additional time is granted, the total modification period for each birth or adoption is limited to six weeks; In the event of a multiple birth or adoption, the length of the modification period will still be limited to six weeks. After the end of the modification period, the student is expected to return to full study and resume progress toward completing their degree(s).

While receiving modifications, the student will continue to be enrolled as a full-time or part-time (as applicable) student and will continue to pay tuition. Rather than a leave of absence, this is instead a modification of deadlines and academic expectations to accommodate the student’s medical needs or new parental responsibilities. For example, modifications may include postponing the completion of course assignments and examinations, and other academic requirements as is feasible based on their course of study. The student should consult in advance with the Title IX office, who will assist in facilitating communication with the student’s advisor and program director/chair about how the student will meet academic goals and requirements. The student is responsible for ensuring that this consultation takes place as far in advance of the modifications being needed as possible.

Specific modifications offered during the parental academic modification period will be tailored to the student’s individual circumstances and academic responsibilities. Examples of acceptable alternative arrangements for some but not all circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• switching to an online course of study
• arranging alternative timelines for the completion of coursework missed during the student’s absence
• priority registration
• short breaks during class and final examinations
• providing alternative means for lab or coursework (i.e., for labs/courses that may involve exposure to potentially harmful chemicals)
• excusing class attendance to allow for milk expression
• modifying physical environments (i.e., providing accessible seating) and providing mobility support

These options will be addressed in the student’s individual plan for continuing education.

Definitions

• Pregnancy related conditions:
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation;
  • Medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; or
  • Recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related medical conditions.
• Eligible new parent: a current student who has recently given birth, whose partner has recently given birth, experienced a pregnancy related condition, or adopted a child under 18 years old.
• Parental academic modification period: generally, the period directly following the birth or adoption.
• Partner: person with whom you are in a long-term, committed relationship and/or with whom you share a child.

Procedures

Disclosure of pregnancy, birth or adoption is voluntary.

For students who are pregnant or experiencing a pregnancy related condition, Once the Title IX Coordinator is notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the University will consult with the student to determine the student’s individualized needs and offer options that will best prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to Adelphi’s education programs and activities.

For eligible new parents, it is the student’s obligation to disclose and affirmatively seek modifications and adjustments if they are desired. Once a student discloses their status as an eligible new parent, the University will collaborate with the student to develop an appropriate plan for continuation of the student’s education, in compliance with applicable law and this Policy.

Requesting a Modification

Students that are pregnant, experiencing pregnancy related conditions, or an eligible new parent (including expectant eligible new parents), and seeking a modification, are encouraged to complete the form below, which will advise the Title IX Office that they are seeking modifications as provided in this Policy. Modification plans may be subject to change or reconsideration based on changing circumstances. Students may request that their modification plan be revised at any time

The request for modifications should be submitted as soon as possible as it will take time to review the request and arrange for any modification. If possible, the student should submit the request 30 calendar days before the need for the requested modification.  At the start of the request process, students will receive a non-exhaustive list of potential modifications and information about Adelphi University’s Sex Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct and Other Prohibited Conduct Grievance Procedures.

For students who are pregnant or experiencing a pregnancy related condition, Adelphi may request supporting documentation when it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Students who are pregnant or experiencing a pregnancy related condition and are requesting a modification surrounding their academic experience (i.e. a change in course modality, will be required to provide appropriate documentation from a licensed health care provider, including the timeframe needed for the modification. Modifications for use of a lactation space, a larger uniform, need for water/food/bathroom breaks during class, a larger desk, etc. do not require a licensed medical provider’s documentation. If a medically necessary leave of absence is being requested, the Title IX Coordinator will refer the student to the Office of Academic Services and Retention.

For eligible new parents, appropriate documentation (i.e., a signed letter from the partner’s licensed health care provider with an estimate of the (1) delivery date or (2) from the adoption agency with an estimate of the adoption date) must accompany all modification requests.

Students are encouraged to specify on the request form, the category of modification they are requesting and the timeframe in which they intend/need the modification.

This policy is effective August 1, 2024 and applies to all requests for modifications submitted on or after the effective date. Ongoing modifications approved prior to this policy’s original enactment (April 2, 2024) must be resubmitted for application in any forthcoming semesters and are not automatically approved.

All requests and associated documentation will be maintained by the Title IX Office in a manner consistent with applicable law.

Evaluation Process and Decision

Once a request for modification is received, the Title IX Office will make an initial evaluation to ensure that the Policy applies to the student’s request. The Title IX Office will then begin the evaluation process, in which it will review and certify that the student has provided any necessary and appropriate documentation.

The Title IX Office will evaluate whether the requested modification(s) are aligned with the goals and specific provisions of this Policy. The same evaluation will determine if the requested modifications would fundamentally alter the course or program. When conducting this evaluation, the Title IX Office will consult with the appropriate academic departments and individual faculty members.

The Title IX Coordinator will work with the student and any faculty members to create a plan for completion of coursework and continuation of the student’s education.  Individual plans may be adjusted as circumstances change.

For students who are pregnant or experiencing a related condition, the University will notify the academic department for their assistance in effectuating the approved reasonable modifications. The Title IX Office will notify the student, the student’s program, and the relevant University administrative offices that a modification has been approved, and provide necessary details on a need-to-know basis, including the start date and/or excusal periods.

For eligible new parents, once the modification has been approved, eligible new parents are responsible for communicating with their program, and working with their course faculty, advisor(s), and program administrators to effectuate the approved modification and alternate arrangements for course completion and continuation of research and teaching activities before and following the leave period as indicated above.

Any modification or adjustment contemplated by this policy remains in the sole discretion of Adelphi University. The University is not required to provide a modification if doing so would fundamentally alter the course or program. The University also has the discretion to determine the appropriate scope and extent of any modification or adjustment that is granted, and accordingly, the modification provided may not match the modification requested. Nevertheless, the University remains committed to student success, both within the classroom and personally, and will make every effort to provide reasonable and appropriate modifications and adjustments in compliance with the law and this Policy.

Lactation Resources

Lactation spaces are located on the first floor of the University Center, room 105 and the Hy Weinberg Center across from room 110.

Reporting Violations

A person may report any violation of this policy to the Title IX Coordinator:

Allison Vernace, Chief of Community Concerns & Resolution and Title IX Coordinator/Director of Equity and Compliance, Adelphi University, Levermore Hall 106, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, (516) 877-4819, titleix@adelphi.edu.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Law

Pregnancy-Related Disability Accommodation

While pregnancy itself is not a disability in accordance with the ADA, some students may have one or more impairments related to their pregnancy that qualify as a “disability” under the ADA. Should a student wish to request a reasonable ADA accommodation based on a pregnancy-related disability, please contact the Student Access Office.

Forms

• Student Pregnancy and Parenting Modification Request Form

Related Information

• Student Pregnancy and Parental Leave Resources
• Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At School

Document History

• Policy Origination Date: April 2, 2024
• Last Review Date: October 22, 2024
• Policy Reviewed by: Policy Owner and Policy Experts
• Last Approval Date: April 2, 2024

Who Approved This Policy

Executive Leadership