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

This policy is intended to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities. Title IX prohibits discrimination, harassment or retaliation against students on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions.

Guiding Principles

• 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.
• Adelphi University students are under no obligation to declare a pregnancy or adoption. However, if a student wishes to request a modification under this policy, students will need to disclose the pregnancy or adoption to Adelphi.
• 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.

Eligibility

The Policy applies to all currently enrolled students (undergraduate and graduate), regardless of sex or gender, who 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

Depending on the situation and the student’s goals, an eligible new parent may request and qualify for one type of modification or a combination of multiple modifications. If an eligible new parent is otherwise qualified for and wishes to take a voluntary medical leave of absence, the University will assist the student in doing so. Medical leaves of absence are separate from modifications under this Policy. Alternatively, if an eligible new parent wishes to continue their academic progress, the student may seek one of the modifications described below.

Parental Academic Modification Period

Eligible new parents are entitled to a parental academic modification period (“modification period”) of up to six (6) weeks. Additional time, if needed, may be granted on a case-by-case basis. The specific modifications will be determined on a case-by-case basis and can include reasonable 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 within six weeks of the birth or adoption. The student may not divide the time period of parental modification for use past this time frame. If both parents are eligible students, both may take the six-week modification period within the timeframe indicated above. 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(s) are expected to return to full study and resume progress toward completing their degree(s).

During the modification period, 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, the modification period is instead a modification of deadlines and academic expectations to accommodate the student’s new parental responsibilities. For example, modifications may include postponing the completion of course assignments, 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 modification period as possible.

Modifications 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.

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 are completed. Upon the conclusion of a medically necessary leave related to pregnancy, 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 physician, proof of which must be submitted with the request for modification form to the Title IX office.

Definitions

Pregnancy related conditions: a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth that inhibits the exercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques.

Eligible new parent: current student who has recently given birth, or adopted, or is the partner or spouse of an individual who has recently given birth.

Parental academic modification period: generally, the six-week 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 or adoption is voluntary; however, it is the student’s obligation to disclose and affirmatively seek modifications and adjustments if they are desired. Once a student discloses a pregnancy or adoption, 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

Pregnant students and eligible new parents (including expectant eligible new parents), seeking a modification should complete the form below to advise the Title IX Office that they are seeking pregnancy or adoption related modifications. Individual plans may be subject to change or reconsideration based on changing circumstances. Eligible new parents may request that their individual 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 Anti-Discrimination, Harassment (including Sexual Misconduct/Title IX) and Retaliation Policy and grievance procedures per Title IX.

Appropriate documentation (i.e., a signed letter from the student/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 the request.) 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.

The student must specify on the request the category of modification they are requesting and if they are requesting a six-week academic modification, whether they intend to do so during the period immediately preceding, and/or the period immediately following, the upcoming birth or adoption.

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

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 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.

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 for the extension and/or excusal periods.  Once the modification has been approved, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with their program, and work 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 appropriate modifications and adjustments in compliance with the law and this Policy.

Lactation Resources

The University supports mothers who are breastfeeding when they return to classes. A lactation space is located on the first floor of the University Center, room 105. For questions regarding the University’s lactation policy or resources, please contact the Title IX office.

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

Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination At School

Document History

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

 

Who Approved This Policy

Executive Leadership