Pregnancy

Title IX requires professors and administrators treat pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability. The university can require a pregnant student to provide a doctor’s certification of fitness to continue in an education program or activity only if the same requirement is imposed on all other students with physical or emotional conditions requiring a doctor’s care. Pregnant students must be provided the same accommodations and support services available to other students with similar medical needs. Your professors or administrators should not tell you that you have to drop out of your classes or academic program or change your educational plans due to your pregnancy. If you have a concern regarding your status as a pregnant or parenting student at Fresno State, please contact the Title IX Coordinator. Fill out the Student Pregnancy Accommodation Request form  to request accommodations and/or resources available to you. 

Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Your professors must provide you a leave of absence for as long as it is deemed necessary by your medical doctor. At the end of your leave, you must be reinstated to the status you held prior to your leave. After returning from an excused absence, your professors must allow a reasonable amount of time to make up missed assignments and tests. The makeup assignments and tests must be reasonably equivalent to those missed, but need not be identical. If a professor provides specific “points” or other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed due to pregnancy. Under Title IX, pregnant students are entitled to the same benefits offered to students with other medical conditions, illness or injury.

While your professor may have a strict attendance policy, the university is bound by federal civil rights law. Title IX requires the university ensure that all faculty and staff comply with the law and do not discriminate against pregnant and parenting students. An individual professor’s policy is not OK if it breaks the law. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have questions about your professor’s attendance policy as it relates to your pregnancy.

Title IX requires the university provide pregnant students with any special services we provide to students with any other type of temporary disabilities. You may complete the Student Pregnancy Accommodation Request form or visit the Services for Students with Disabilities office in the Library Suite 1202, on the south wing of the first floor. Pregnant students may seek parking accommodations by contacting Services for Students with Disabilities.

No. Your program must allow you to continue participating in off-campus programs. If your program provides opportunities to “work in the field,” you cannot be excluded based on your pregnancy. Your professor cannot require a doctor’s note for continued participation unless your professor requires one for all students who have a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor. If they do ask for a note, they cannot second-guess your doctor’s decision.

Title IX requires the university to prevent and address sex-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy. If you experience this sort of treatment, you should seek help immediately. The law prohibits anyone from retaliating against you for filing a complaint or raising a concern.  You may file a concern directly with the Title IX Coordinator by completing this form.

Please submit the Student Pregnancy Accommodation Request form for additional information regarding absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, as they must be excused for as long as it is deemed necessary by your medical doctor.  If you want to take off more time than your doctor says is medically necessary, please contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about filing a leave of absence request.

Fresno State will reasonably accommodate pregnant graduate students so they may complete their graduate courses, as provided by Assembly Bill 809.  Graduate students should contact their department advisor or the Title IX Coordinator for additional information.

Yes, please visit the Nursing Mothers and Lactation Accommodations webpage.