Pregnancy and Parenting Resources for Students
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities. Know your rights, and know where to get support.
YOUR RIGHTS
- You must be provided with reasonable adjustments, such as a larger desk, elevator access, or allowance for frequent bathroom breaks, when necessary because of your pregnancy.
- You must be allowed to make up any work missed while on medical leave.
- You must not be required to submit a doctor’s note for absences related to your pregnancy or childbirth, unless ALL students are required to submit a doctor’s note for absences and hospitalizations related to physical or emotional conditions.
- You must be allowed to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities while you are pregnant.
- Absences due to pregnancy or childbirth must be excused, for as long as your doctor deems necessary.
- Your instructor may not refuse to allow you to submit work after a deadline you missed because of pregnancy or childbirth. You should be allowed to make up any participation or attendance credits you did not have the chance to earn due to your pregnancy-related absence.
RESOURCES
Student Health Services offers both pregnancy testing (for a fee) and counseling regarding options, resources, and services available.
Contact Disability Services to discuss possible accommodations (e.g., classroom furniture, location to retake exam) if you need assistance with a pregnancy-related condition.
New Student and Family Programs & Contemporary Student Services
Contemporary Student Services and New Student and Family Programs coordinate with faculty, staff, and outside organizations to provide information that meets the unique needs of Mason student-parents.
The Child Development Center at the Fairfax Campus serves faculty, staff, and students at the university, with enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. Regular child care is provided from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, for children 2-5 years old. Children attend 2, 3, or 5 days per week.
Additional resources are available across local counties, including: Fairfax County, Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County.
The University supports working and learning mothers. As such, we offer private spaces on each campus to accommodate nursing mothers. Specific locations at the Fairfax Campus, Arlington Campus, and SciTech Campus can be found online.
Resources for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Office of Compliance Diversity & Ethics
373 Aquia Building
Fairfax Campus
703-993-8730
titleix@gmu.edu
Title IX Coordinator
Angela Nastase, JD