Reasonable Adjustments for Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees

UTA is committed to providing an educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes discrimination based on current, potential, or past Pregnancy or Related Conditions.

The United States Department of Education’s (DOE) regulation implementing Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. The DOE requires that universities provide pregnant students with reasonable adjustments that may be necessary due to pregnancy. 

The Title IX Office can help facilitate the reasonable adjustments that are requested by a pregnant student. 

If a student’s pregnancy involves a medical complication that impacts one or more major life functions, the student may be considered temporarily disabled, and the student may be referred to the Student & Access Resource Center (SAR Center), formerly the Office of Disability Services, to receive adjustments.

Student Access & Resource Center 

Pregnancy Frequently Asked Questions:

Pregnancy is not a disability

According to the U.S. Department of Education, an institution that receives federal funding shall not discriminate against any student or exclude any student from its education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of such student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, or recovery therefrom.

Parenting is also specified

Pregnancy and parenting rights apply to ALL individuals who are students or employees at UTA.

There is no permission required from the Title IX Office, registration or other forms, and staff may not request medical documentation or proof of pregnancy.

A student’s self-confirmation of their need for reasonable adjustments is sufficient.

If a student’s pregnancy involves a medical complication that impacts one or more major life functions, the student may be considered “temporarily disabled”, and the student may be referred to the Student & Access Resource Center (SAR) for any necessary accommodations.

  • Class attendance & participation
  • Excused, flexible absences, eating, drinking needs, restroom breaks without being penalized
  • Extensions on coursework, rescheduling and ability to make up exams
  • Completing online course instruction including posting assignments, notes, tests online
  • Breaks and easy access to campus lactation rooms

UTA Lactation Rooms:

  • E.H. Hereford University Center, Room 132 (behind Post Office)
  • Fine Arts Building, Room 343A (Art Department section)
  • Maverick Activities Center, Room 203A
  • Pickard Hall, Room 222A (private lounge inside women’s restroom)
  • Pickard Hall, Room 663A
  • University Hall, Room 216A (private lounge inside women’s restroom)
  • SEIR - Room 482
  • ARDC, Fort Worth, Room 213
  • Trinity Hall, Room 115

The rooms are comfortable and tranquil, featuring a leather recliner, small table or countertop, clock,
locking door, and a sink in the room or in the connecting women’s restroom.

More Reasonable Adjustments:

  • Extracurricular activities, intercollegiate sports, scholarship status
  • Parking needs, elevator access
  • Bigger uniforms
  • Ability to receive an incomplete and/or the opportunity to withdraw from a class without
    penalty (must be reinstated upon return at the same level when the withdrawal occurred)
  • Recorded access to classes, remote access, independent study

A school “shall not apply any rule concerning actual or potential parental, family, or marital status of a
student or applicant which treats persons differently on the basis of sex.”

34.C.F.R. 106.21 ©(1)

  • Under Title IX, must allow a pregnant student to take a voluntary leave for at least the period of
    time medically necessary.
  • When returning, student must be reinstated to academic status.
  • Texas law sets minimum voluntary leave of at least a semester. (without a showing of medical need)

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