Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including pregnancy and parental status, in educational programs and activities.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Monroe County Community College adheres to a policy that no employee or qualified person participating in a college-sponsored program, service or activity shall be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race, national origin, color, sex, protected disability, religion, age, height, weight, marital status, familial status, partisan considerations, veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by law. All employees are required to report any concerns or allegations of discrimination or harassment involving members of the college community (i.e., faculty, staff, and students) of which they become aware.
This information is provided to inform students, employees and others within the college community of MCCC’s obligation not to discriminate against students on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions.
Students may request reasonable modifications as a result of pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions.
Assistance for Pregnant Students
For medically excused absences and modifications, pregnant students should contact one of the Title IX coordinators for further assistance and information:
Scott Behrens
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success
(734) 384-4224
S-133
sbehrens@monroeccc.edu
Linda Torbet
Executive Director of Human Resources
(734) 384-4245
S-152
ltorbet@monroeccc.edu
Definitions
- Pregnancy and related conditions include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation and related medical conditions, as well as recovery form such conditions.
- Reasonable modifications are individualized modifications to MCCC’s policies, practices or procedures that do not fundamentally change the education program or activity.
Notification of Rights
Any MCCC employee who becomes aware of a student’s pregnancy or related condition is required to provide the student contact information for the Title IX coordinators and communicate that the coordinators can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to MCCC’s educational programs and activities.
Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX coordinator or designee will contact the student and inform the student of MCCC’s obligations to:
- Prohibit sex discrimination
- Provide reasonable modifications
- Allow access, on a voluntary basis, to any separate and comparable portion of the institution’s educational programs or activities
- Allow a voluntary leave of absence
- Ensure lactation space availability
- Maintain a resolution process for alleged discrimination
- Treat pregnancy as comparable to other temporary medical conditions for medical benefit, service, plan or policy purposes
The Title IX coordinator will also notify the student of the process to file a complaint for alleged discrimination, harassment or retaliation, as applicable.
Reasonable Modifications for Students
Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to MCCC’s educational programs and activities. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Title IX coordinator to discuss appropriate and available reasonable modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request reasonable modifications as promptly as possible, although retroactive modifications may be available in some circumstances. Reasonable modifications are voluntary, and a student can accept or decline the offered reasonable modifications. Not all reasonable modifications are appropriate for all contexts.
Reasonable modifications may include:
- Breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking or using the restroom
- Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
- Access to online or homebound education
- Changes in schedule or course sequence
- Time extensions for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations
- Allowing a student to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby
- Counseling
- Changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest)
- Elevator access
- A larger uniform or other required clothing or equipment
- Other changes to policies, practices or procedures determined by the Title IX coordinator
In situations such as clinical rotations, performances, labs and group work, the institution will work with the student to devise an alternative path to completion, if possible. In progressive curricular and/or cohort-model programs, medically necessary leaves are sufficient cause to permit the student to shift course order, substitute similar courses or join a subsequent cohort when returning from leave. Students are encouraged to work with their faculty members and MCCC’s support systems to devise a plan for how to best address the conditions as pregnancy progresses, anticipate the need for leaves, minimize the academic impact of their absence and get back on track as efficiently and comfortably as possible. The Title IX coordinator will assist with plan development and implementation as needed.
Supporting documentation for reasonable modifications will only be required when it is necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to determine which reasonable modifications to offer to determine other specific actions to take to ensure equal access.
Information about pregnant students’ requests for modifications will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the reasonable modification.
Students experiencing pregnancy-related conditions that manifest as a temporary disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are eligible for reasonable accommodations just like any other student with a temporary disability. The Title IX coordinator will consult with the Disability Services Office to ensure the student receives reasonable accommodations for their disability as required by law
Certification to Participate
All students should be informed of health and safety risks related to participation in academic and co-curricular activities, regardless of pregnancy status. A student may not be required to provide health care provider or other certification that the student is physically able to participate in the program or activity, unless:
- The certified level of physical ability or health is necessary for participation;
- The institution requires such certification of all students participating; and
- The information obtained is not used as a basis for pregnancy-related discrimination.
Lactation Space Access
In support of our students and employees, private rooms are available for use for lactation. These rooms offer a secure and private place for the mother to express milk for their nursing children.
Excused Absences and Medical Leave
Excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth will be provided for as long as a student’s doctor says it is necessary. To the extent possible, MCCC will take reasonable steps to ensure that students who take a leave of absence or medical leave return to the same position of academic progress that they were in when they took leave, including access to the same or an equivalent course catalog that was in place when the leave began.
Continuation of students’ scholarships, or similar MCCC-sponsored funding during the leave term will depend on student registration status and the policies of the funding program regarding registration status. Students will not be negatively impacted by or forfeit their future eligibility for their scholarship, or similar recipient-supported funding, by exercising their rights under this policy.
The Title IX coordinator can and will advocate for students with respect to financial aid agencies and external scholarship providers in the event that a leave of absence places eligibility into question.
In order to initiate a leave of absence, the student must contact the Title IX coordinator at least 30 calendar days prior to the initiation of leave, or as soon as practicable. The coordinator will assist the student in completing any necessary paperwork.
Grievance Process for Pregnant Students
Pregnant students who wish to voice their concern or file a complaint should contact one of the Title IX coordinators for further assistance and information:
Scott Behrens
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success
(734) 384-4224
S-133
sbehrens@monroeccc.edu
Linda Torbet
Executive Director of Human Resources
(734) 384-4245
S-152
ltorbet@monroeccc.edu
Title IX Dissemination and Training
A copy of MCCC’s Title IX policy will be made available to employees in annually required training and posted on the MCCC website. MCCC will alert all new students about this policy and the location of this policy as part of orientation. MCCC’s Title IX coordinator will make educational materials available to all members of the MCCC community to promote compliance with this policy and familiarity with its procedures.