Pregnant & Parenting Policy

 

Purpose:
To describe the College’s commitment to provide a supportive learning environment for pregnant and parenting students.

Additional Authority:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
College Sexual Misconduct Equity Resolution Process
College Accommodations Policy

Scope:
This policy applies to those seeking admission, currently admitted and those students enrolled at Geneva College.

Definitions:
Pregnant or Parenting Student: For the purpose of this policy, pregnant or parenting student refers to those applying for admission, admitted, or enrolled in classes who have a Qualifying Condition.

Medically Necessary Leave of Absence: An absence from the classroom or co-curricular activities because of a qualifying condition and deemed necessary and documented by an appropriate health care professional.

Qualifying Condition: Conditions covered by this policy are pregnancy, complications related to pregnancy, false pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, and recovery from any of these conditions.

Policy Statement

The College seeks to treat all students equitably, regardless of their actual or potential parental or familial status. It is the policy of Geneva College to provide appropriate, reasonable adjustments to educational programs and activities to support Pregnant or Parenting Students.

This policy establishes a process for Pregnant and Parenting Students to request and obtain adjustments to educational programs and activities allowing them to continue their education at the College.

Requests for Adjustments for Pregnant and Parenting Students

A student in need of an educational adjustment should submit a request to the Student Success Center. If a student is unable to submit a request because of her condition, an appropriate representative of the student may contact the Student Success Center on her behalf and the student may confirm the request when she becomes able to do so.

The Director of the Student Success Center will consult with the student/appropriate representative and appropriate College officials, including faculty members and the appropriate Academic Dean, to fashion an educational adjustment that is appropriate for the student.

Medically Necessary Leave of Absence

An educational adjustment under this policy may include an excused leave of absence for as long as medically necessary. To request a leave of absence and accompanying academic adjustments under this policy, a student should follow the request procedure outlined above.

1. If reasonable, a student will be given extra time to make up course work and tests missed during the leave of absence. Whether or not it is reasonable to grant a student extra time to make up course work and tests missed will be determined by the Director of the Student Success Center, appropriate faculty members, and the appropriate Academic Dean. This determination will be based on, among other things, the length of the absence requested and the ability of the student to complete coursework outside of the classroom.
2. If it is unreasonable for a student to receive extra time to complete a course, the student will be given the option to withdraw from the class without penalty.
3. Pregnant or Parenting Students who must take a medically necessary extended leave of absence (generally no longer than 180 days) shall be allowed to return to the same academic and co-curricular status as before the leave began.

 Reporting Harassment or Discrimination Due to a Qualifying Condition

Geneva College prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex. Pregnant or Parenting Students who believe they have been discriminated against or harassed because of a qualifying condition may file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator. Complaints of discrimination or harassment under this policy will be processed in accordance with College policy.