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Policy and Procedure Statements

UPPS 07.11.07 - Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students

Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students

UPPS No. 07.11.07
Issue No. 1
Effective Date: 4/05/2024
Next Review Date: 4/01/2028 (E4Y)
Sr. Reviewer: Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

POLICY STATEMENT

Texas State University is committed to providing a welcoming learning environment for pregnant and parenting students through policies that protect academic rights guaranteed to these students under federal and state law.

  1. SCOPE

    1. This policy applies to pregnant and parenting students. It outlines protections, procedures for accommodations, and liaison information.

  2. DEFINITIONS

    1. Leave of Absence – as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), a leave of absence is for a minimum of one semester.

    2. Parenting Student – a student who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age.

    3. Parenting Student Liaison – Each institution of higher education shall designate at least one employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer for current or incoming students at the institution who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. The liaison officer shall provide students information regarding support services and other resources available to parenting students, including:

      1. resources to access medical and behavioral health coverage and services;

      2. public benefit programs including programs related to food security;

      3. affordable housing and housing subsidies;

      4. parenting and childcare resources;

      5. employment assistance;

      6. transportation assistance;

      7. student academic success strategies; and

      8. other resources developed by the institution to assist the students.

  3. PROTECTIONS

    1. Texas State University and its faculty and staff may not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student’s status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student’s pregnancy or parenting to:

      1. take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student’s degree or certificate program;

      2. limit the student’s studies;

      3. participate in an alternative program;

      4. change the student’s major, degree, or certificate program; or

      5. refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.

    2. Texas State allows a pregnant and parenting student to:

      1. take a leave of absence for a period of not less than the minimum period established by the THECB; and

      2. if in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student’s degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.

    3. A student seeking a leave of absence due to pregnancy or parenting shall make a request for such leave to the Dean of Students Office using the Request for Pregnancy or Parenting Accommodations Form.

    4. A student who is taking a leave of absence due to pregnancy or parenting shall meet with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships prior to beginning said leave of absence to receive information on financial impacts.

  4. PROCEDURES FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

    1. Texas State will for reasons related to a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:

      1. excuse the student’s absence;

      2. allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;

      3. allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and

      4. provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence to the same extent these are made available to any other student with an excused absence or would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition.

    2. Students may also be entitled to reasonable accommodations for limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. This includes, but is not limited to accommodations related to the health and safety of the student and the student’s unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.

    3. Students seeking information about pregnancy-related resources or requesting a pregnancy-related accommodation should contact the Dean of Students Office or complete the online Request for Pregnancy or Parenting Accommodations Form.

    4. Any grievance related to this policy shall be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX who can be reached at 512.245.2539, and discrimination shall be reported in accordance with UPPS No. 04.04.46, Prohibition of Discrimination.

  5. LIAISON CONTACT INFORMATION

    1. The liaison officer at Texas State is the CARE Center Coordinator in the Dean of Students Office and can be contacted at 512.245.2124 or by email at studentparents@txstate.edu. Additional information is available on the Dean of Students Office website.

  6. PROCEDURES FOR EARLY REGISTRATION FOR PARENTING STUDENTS

    1. Texas State will provide early registration for parenting students in the same manner that it provides early registration for courses or programs at the institution for any other group of students. Student parents will be notified of their eligibility for early registration each fall and spring semester and will need to complete a questionnaire to have the Parenting Student Attribute (STPA) added to their record and provided access to an early registration time ticket.

  7. RELATED REFERENCES

    1. Relevant federal and state legislation that guides this policy include:

      1. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972;

      2. Tex. Ed. Code § 51.982 – Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students;

      3. Tex. Ed. Code § 51.9357 – Designation of Liaison Officer to Assist Student Parents;

      4. Tex. Ed. Code § 51.983 – Early Registration for Parenting Students;

      5. UPPS No. 04.04.46, Prohibition of Discrimination.

    2. Texas State will communicate this policy annually to faculty, staff, and students through the university’s email system. Information related to this policy and protections for pregnant and parenting students will be posted year-round to the Dean of Students Office website.

  8. REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

    1. Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:

      PositionDate
      Associate Vice President and Dean of StudentsApril 1 E4Y
      Senior Associate Dean of StudentsApril 1 E4Y
      Assistant Vice President for the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IXApril 1 E4Y
      Liaison Officer, Dean of Students OfficeApril 1 E4Y

  9. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

    This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

    Associate Vice President and Dean of Students; senior reviewer of this UPPS

    Vice President for Student Success

    President