WORKING WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE PREGNANT OR PARENTING

WORKING WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE PREGNANT OR PARENTING Chelsey Taylor, Assistant Coordinator, Title IX

PREGNANT AND PARENTING …Prohibits discrimination…based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery from any of these conditions.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES § We can’t assume pregnant students can’t do something. We can only inform. § Work with chemicals § Lift SCBA in Fire Science § Welding § We must excuse absences for medical necessities § Doctor’s appointments § Morning sickness § Labor (and two weeks postpartum, with potential extenuating circumstances) § Must “be reinstated to the status she held when the leave began” § Make up work § Offer alternatives § Online work § Take test/labs with another section § Insert your own creativity

WHAT WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN: § Each student situation must be handled on a case-by-case basis. § “We’ve never done that before” is not an acceptable response to an accommodation for a pregnant or parenting student. § “Parenting student” is defined as “as long as is deemed medically necessary” after the delivery. § We do not have a specific time definition for “as long as is deemed medically necessary. ” (doctor release) § We generally do not extend parenting support beyond the semester in which the baby is born or into the subsequent

WHAT DO WE DO? The worry The response Student disclosed pregnancy or new baby Complete Pregnant & Parenting form on OTC Cares webpage Reengaged, but spotty attendance/work There are too many absences, or too much work to salvage the semester Report/Contact TIX; Education plan Student has dropped off the radar Report/Contact TIX; Reach out We will get taken advantage of Student still has responsibility What can we salvage (one class? ), assess motivation & capability

WHAT WE ARE ASKING When a student makes you aware, please contact the Title IX office. Complete the OTC Cares Pregnant & Parenting form and/or email titleix@otc. edu. We will provide you with guidelines and recommendations. Clear expectations moving forward.

EASY EXAMPLE #1 A student who is pregnant delivers her child during week 15 of your class. She misses the last week of class and the final exam. She has arranged to get the lecture notes from another student. She has a normal delivery of a healthy baby. New arrangement: Allow the student to make up any missed exams or coursework, utilize an “Incomplete” grade, if needed. The student has up to six (6) weeks to complete all missed exams and coursework from week 15 and beyond.

EASY EXAMPLE #2 Student is pregnant, and delivers the second week of the semester. She misses two weeks of classes and returns to successfully complete the term. New Arrangement: Provide the student access to the notes missed, and extend deadlines as needed for missed quizzes, exams and assignments. Student should be allowed to return to class at the same place she was in prior to the delivery of her baby.

EASY EXAMPLE #3 Student attends class sporadically and then begins to miss class consistently. You send her an email message notifying her that she will be administratively withdrawn. She responds that she is pregnant and asks that you work with her. You re-enroll her in the course and she never returns to class. New arrangement: No new arrangement required as the student did not complete the course.

EASY EXAMPLE #4 A female student receives an “F” as a final grade in your course. She appeals the grade indicating the was pregnant and that’s why she didn’t attend class or complete the work. New arrangement: Technically, no new arrangement is required because the student didn’t notify you about the pregnancy ahead of time. We are not required to retroactively work with students, but it may benefit this student to complete a Tuition& Fee Appeal

TECHNOLOGY IS YOUR FRIEND Webcam Blackboard Textbook resources Online resources Collaboration with colleagues/Department Chair Library

EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL ARRANGEMENTS AT OTC Student was directed to the Title IX office at the beginning of the semester. We discussed rights and responsibilities, and we made a plan Instructors were notified right away Instructors were kept in the loop throughout semester Student had complications after delivery Instructor recorded lectures and delivered course electronically Student was allowed some extensions, but completed all work in a timely manner.

QUESTIONS Let me hear from you!

EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS Title IX Office: • Webpage: otc. edu/titleix • Email: titleix@otc. edu Kevin Luebbering, Title IX Coordinator • Phone: x 8188 • Email: luebberk@otc. edu Chelsey Taylor, Title IX Asst. Coordinator • Phone: x 2686 • Email: taylorch@otc. edu