Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions
Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex, which includes pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions, in educational programs and activities receiving federal funding. In accordance with Title IX, the Title IX Office has established procedures for students who are pregnant at WSSU.
The Title IX Office will provide Students and Applicants with a centralized and collaborative process to provide consistency across all University programs and courses.
Pregnancy Accommodations
Students and Applicants must request accommodations in a timely manner to allow the Title IX Coordinator to review documentation, determine eligibility, and implement accommodations. All accommodations are determined as part of an interactive and collaborative process.
Following receipt of the request, the Title IX Coordinator will work with the Student or Applicant to determine how to reasonably accommodate their specific needs and with other appropriate individuals to further evaluate and/or implement the accommodations.
The requirements for every class and academic program are different; therefore, the Title IX Coordinator will collaborate with the Department of Disability Services, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Academic Advising Program, The Graduate School, and program administrators (as appropriate) and solicit input from faculty or other academic administrators as needed to determine what accommodations are reasonable for a particular class or academic program.
Any Student or Applicant may request accommodations by submitting the Accommodation Request Form and any accompanying medical documentation to the Title IX Coordinator.
Medical Documentation
Requestors must submit documentation from a licensed health care provider verifying the pregnancy and supporting any requested accommodations. Providers may use the Provider Documentation Form to submit this information directly to the Title IX Office at titleixcontact@wssu.edu.
The documentation may be concise but must provide sufficient detail to substantiate each requested accommodation. Generic or conclusory statements are not sufficient. The written statement should include:
- The expected delivery date or, if applicable, the date of any related medical procedure
- A description of the current symptoms, limitations, or medical needs and how they affect the requestor in an educational setting
- Any additional factors that may impact the requestor’s pregnancy, recovery, or anticipated academic needs
- A clear explanation supporting each requested accommodation, including the medical basis for the request
- The provider’s licensing credentials and contact information, and it must be submitted on official letterhead if the Provider Documentation Form is not used
Upon receipt of the documentation, the Title IX Office will engage in an interactive process with the student or applicant to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations. The Office may also consult with relevant university personnel, as necessary, to evaluate and implement approved accommodations.
Lactation Spaces
WSSU is committed to supporting nursing mothers following the birth of a child by providing lactation accommodations. The lactation rooms are listed below and available for use:
- FL Atkins – 125
- New Science Building – 317
- O'Kelly Library – 206A
Title IX Office
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Title IX Office.
