8.21 / Pregnant and Parenting Students

Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions

1. Students may submit requests for Reasonable Adjustments and/or Accommodations for pregnancy or Pregnancy-Related Conditions to the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing ("OSAT").
2. Requests for reasonable Accommodations due to Medical Necessity must be submitted on letterhead from a licensed medical provider and include a medical diagnosis.
3. Requests for Reasonable Adjustments and/or Accommodations will be evaluated individually by OSAT to determine what adjustments and/or accommodations are appropriate given the circumstances, including any Medical Necessity and the academic requirements (i.e. assignments, clinical rotations, group work, etc.). For the purpose of evaluating requests for Reasonable Adjustments and/or Accommodations, pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions shall be treated the same as any other temporary disability, as required under federal or state law.
4. Reasonable Adjustments and/or Accommodations may be adjusted over time as deemed appropriate by OSAT and may require the submission of additional medical provider documentation.
5. Reasonable Adjustments and/or Accommodations for Pregnant Students or students with a Pregnancy-Related Condition may include, but are not limited to the following:
   1. Accessible seating;
   2. Breaks during class, as needed;
   3. Temporary access to elevators;
   4. Rescheduling tests, exams, practical labs, and clinicals;
   5. Excusing absences due to pregnancy or Pregnancy-Related Conditions;
   6. Submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or a Pregnancy-Related Condition; or
   7. Allowing the student to eat or drink during class (if otherwise prohibited).
6. Pregnant Students and students with Pregnancy-Related Conditions shall be granted medical leaves of absence for so long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student's physician, at the conclusion of which the student shall be reinstated to the same academic and extracurricular status held when the leave began.

Academic Modification for Parenting Students

1. Students with parenting responsibilities who wish to remain engaged in their coursework while adjusting their academic responsibilities because of the birth, adoption of their child or placement of a foster child may take a period of modified academic responsibilities within the first six months of the child entering the home due to birth, adoption, or foster placement. Requests for academic modification must be submitted to the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance ("CTAC").
2. Students seeking a period of modified academic responsibilities must consult with their academic advisor to determine which academic responsibilities could be suspended or otherwise modified. The student will work with their advisor and faculty to reschedule course assignments, lab hours, examinations, or other requirements and/or to reduce the student's overall course load, as appropriate for the situation.
3. Students may request full relief from academic responsibilities for up to six weeks, as a form of academic modification. During a period of academic modification, the student will remain registered and retain benefits accordingly. At the end of an approved academic modification, a student must be allowed to return to the same academic and co/extracurricular status as held prior to the approved academic modification.
4. Academic modifications may be extended when the student's child has a Medical Necessity as documented by a licensed physician, or where there are extraordinary parenting responsibilities.

Lactation Support

1. Students must be granted reasonable time and space for lactation in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible. Bathroom stalls do not satisfy this requirement. CTAC maintains a complete list of lactation rooms available on campus. Any questions regarding lactation spaces should be directed to CTAC.
2. Students who are also Employees may be afforded additional break times and access to lactation spaces during work time in accordance with Policy 3.38 / Lactation Support for Employees.

Appeal and Complaint Procedures

1. If a student believes a Reasonable Adjustment and/or Accommodation has not been appropriately determined or provided, the student has the right to appeal the determination or provision to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Accessibility Appeal Form is available from the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing.
2. If a student is not satisfied after utilizing the appeal process through the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing, the student may seek assistance from the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance.
3. If a parenting student believes that an academic modification has not been appropriately determined or applied, the student may seek assistance from the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance.

Student Employees

1. Students who are also Employees, who are pregnant or have a Pregnancy-Related Condition may make requests for workplace modifications or accommodations through Human Resources.

1. Controlled Affiliated Organizations: Wichita State University Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Inc., Wichita State University Union Corporation, Wichita State University Innovation Alliance, Inc., WSIA Investments Corporation.
2. Employee: An individual who provides services to the University on a regular basis in exchange for compensation and receives a W-2 for such services. This includes temporary and part-time Employees.
3. Medical Necessity: A medical need as determined by a health care provider of a student's choosing.
4. Pregnancy-Related Conditions: Pregnancy-Related Conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, conditions arising in connection with pregnancy, and recovery from any of these conditions, in accordance with federal law.
5. Pregnant Student: A student who is or was recently pregnant. This policy and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all Pregnant Students regardless of gender identity or expression.
6. Reasonable Adjustments and/or Accommodations: Are reasonable changes in the academic environment or typical operations that enable a Pregnant Student or student with a Pregnancy-Related Condition to continue to pursue their studies and enjoy equal benefits of the University's educational programs and activities.
7. University: Wichita State University and Controlled Affiliated Organizations.

Office of Student Accommodations and Testing
Isabel Medina Keiser, Director
Grace Wilkie Hall, Room 203
(316) 978-6970
OSAT@wichita.edu

Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance
Courtney D. McHenry, PhD, CAAP, CDE
Associate Vice President and University Title IX Coordinator
(316) 978-3186
CTAC@wichita.edu