Pregnancy and Parenting

Title IX Policy on Absences Due to Pregnancy

Monroe Community College is committed to creating a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, MCC does not discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of such student's pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom, unless the student requests voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the program or activity. Absences due to pregnancy or childbirth must be excused for as long as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s doctor. When the student returns to school following an absence due to pregnancy or childbirth, they must be reinstated to the same academic and extracurricular statuses they held before their medical leave began. Pregnant students may be required to submit medical certification for school participation only if the same requirement exists for all students with physical or emotional conditions requiring the attention of a physician.

A student cannot be penalized for pregnancy or related conditions. If a professor provides specific “points” or other advantages to students based on class attendance, the student must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes they miss due to pregnancy, so that they can be reinstated to the status they held before their medical leave. The College must provide the student with the opportunity to make up the work they missed while they were on medical leave due to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, even if is for an extended period of time.

The Office for Civil Rights has outlined several requirements; these include:

  • Continued participation in classes and other activities during pregnancy,
  • Reasonable adjustments like excused absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions for as long as a doctor deems necessary,
  • The ability to return to the same academic status as before medical leave began, and
  • The opportunity to make up missed work because of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.

Office of Civil Rights- Know Your Rights (PDF)

Additional Information

Students may request reasonable accommodations as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. To request accommodations, either email Disability Services (disabilityservices@monroecc.edu) or call them at (585) 292-2140.

For more information regarding your rights and responsibilities, we encourage all students, faculty and staff to please either email Shannon Glasgow, Title IX Coordinator (sglasgow@monroecc.edu), or call her at (585) 292-2108.

Lactation Room

A private lactation room is located on the Brighton Campus in Building 6, Room 341. This room may be used without a reservation. This room is available for use by checking out a key from Human Resources, Building 6, Room 301 or Health Services, Building 3, Room 165. Keys are available for check out Monday-Friday 8:45am-4:45pm. If you require assistance outside of these hours please contact Public Safety for room access.

A private lactation room is located on the Downtown Campus. Students can access the Lactation Room by visiting the Wellness Promotion Center, 2nd floor, Suite 226. The room does not require key access and is open for use Monday-Friday 8:45am-4:45pm. If you require assistance outside of these hours please contact Public Safety for room access.