Pregnancy Pregnancy-Related Accommodations | Student Resource Center

Utah Tech University is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for pregnant and parenting employees, students, and guests. Pregnant members of the UT community cannot be excluded from opportunities, programs or services and must be treated as others who have temporary medical conditions. The Office of Equity Compliance & Title IX can assist in coordinating reasonable accommodations to allow for members of our campus community to fully participate at Utah Tech University.

Lactation Spaces

At Utah Tech University nursing women are provided reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean and reasonably accessible. Lactation rooms are a private spaces for nursing mothers to express milk. This space is shielded from view and free from intrusion of others. Nursing mother’s rooms are functional private spaces with a place to sit and access to an electrical outlet including a sink and fridge for temporary milk storage

Utah Tech Mother’s Room Locations include:

Taylor Health bldg. #318 (east of elevator on level 3)
Holland bldg. #409 (south elevator on level 4)
Human Performance Center #007 (lower floor near climbing wall)
Science, Engineering, and Technology bldg. #537 (5th floor near elevator)

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Mother's Room Locations

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Using the Lactation Rooms

Employees & Students must

Submit an access request for lactation room access for six months
Coordinate with your supervisor or class instructor if lactation needs are during work or class time.
Reserve the lactation room you would like to use
Follow any rules or procedures per lactation room including disinfecting the shared space after each use

Supervisors & Class Instructors must

Permit reasonable paid break time or time away from class for nursing mothers to use lactation rooms as needed.
Be aware that the frequency and duration of the break time will likely vary.

Event Hosts must

Submit an access request on behalf of their guests lactation room access and specify date and location
Use their badge to provide access to their guest

University Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodation

The University provides reasonable accommodations to allow for full participation and access to al programs and services. A reasonable accommodation is one that does not cause undue hardship on the class environment, department or significant expense for the university.

How to Request an Accommodation

If you wish to request accommodations due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, please contact Titleix.utahtech.edu or call 435.652.7747 during business hours.

Discrimination

University policy prohibits discrimination against sex/gender, which includes pregnant and parenting employees. State and federal laws also prohibit discrimination based upon sex, including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions. If you believe you have been subject to discrimination, including having been denied an accommodation for a pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, you may report your concerns to the Hazel Sainsbury, Director of Equity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator by phone, via email at titleix@utahtech.edu, or by completing the Incident Reporting Form.

Pregnancy, Parenting Students and Title IX

Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.15 The Title IX regulation also prohibits a school from applying any rule related to a student’s parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on their sex.

Pregnancy Harassment is Sexual Harassment OCR: Know Your Rights

FAQs

What is the University’s responsibility to provide pregnancy accommodations?

The University prohibits discrimination based on sex, as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Consistent with University policy and applicable law, the University cannot exclude a student from participating in any part of an educational program based on the student’s pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom. The University works to ensure continued access by providing reasonable accommodations to the University’s students, faculty, and staff for pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or a related condition.

Where can I go to request pregnancy related accommodations?

You can reach out to the Office of Equity Compliance and Title IX by calling (435) 652-7747, stopping by Holland Centennial Commons 579, or emailing titleix@utahtech.edu.

Additionally, you can discuss pregnancy accommodations by scheduling an appointment with the Director of Equity Compliance and Title IX.

Am I required to tell faculty about my pregnancy status?

You are not required to inform faculty, staff or any member of the administration of your pregnancy status, unless you are seeking accommodations. You should then request accommodations through the Office of Equity Compliance and Title IX. The University wishes to create an environment that encourages voluntary sharing of this information, so that the University can provide accommodations so you can continue with your education.

What do reasonable accommodations for pregnant students look like?

Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Examples of reasonable accommodations may include:

A larger desk
Breaks during class, as needed
Rescheduling tests or exams
Excusing absences due to pregnancy or child birth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary
Submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth
Providing alternatives to make up missed work
Medical leave of absence, including allowing the student to return to the same academic status from before the leave began

You will be allowed to make up any work missed due to medically necessary absences for pregnancy or a pregnancy related condition. You will need to provide a doctor’s note to the Office of Equity Compliance and Title IX to receive this accommodation. You will not be required to complete make up work until your medically-necessary absences for pregnancy are completed.

What if I need to miss class due to pregnancy or a pregnancy related condition?

The University excuses all reasonable accommodations and medically necessary absences related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery. The Office of Equity Compliance and Title IX will inform the faculty member via email that based on a Title IX accommodation, they must excuse absences deemed a reasonable accommodation or medically necessary by the appropriate medical professional.

What if I experience complications related to my pregnancy or a pregnancy condition?

The Office of Equity Compliance and Title IX will facilitate accommodations related to reasonable accommodations.

What if I feel that I am being discriminated against because of my pregnancy or child birth?

You should immediately report any concerns related to discrimination or accommodations to the Office of Equity Compliance and Title IX.

External links & Resources

Maternal Mental Health:

Depression and anxiety are the most common complication of childbirth. In fact, one in eight Utah women, according to the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), are affected by postpartum depression, and one in three Utah women will experience either depression during pregnancy, anxiety during pregnancy, or postpartum depression.

WIC: Women, Infants & Children:

The Women, Infants, Children (WIC) program provides nutrition and breastfeeding services and supplemental foods to pregnant women, mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday. Our offices offer a wide array of nutrition education, personalized breastfeeding support, and referrals to other public health programs.

Intermountain Postpartum Depression Resource:

After delivering a baby, it is common for women to struggle with sadness, hopelessness, and other depressive feelings. Fortunately, these depressive feelings and thoughts typically dissipate within weeks of delivery for most women.

Mother to Baby Utah:

MotherToBaby Utah provides free, confidential, and accurate information for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or thinking about getting pregnant or having a baby. We also answer questions healthcare providers may have.

Intermountain Healthcare Pregnancy & Baby:

As you begin on your path to parenthood, we’re here with you every step of the way, helping you have the safe and empowering experience you’ve dreamed of.

Intermountain Lactation Support:

Lactation Support when you need it. Schedule an appointment online including virtual visits.

USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support:

Breastfeeding your baby, like any new skill, may take some time and practice. We can help you feel like you’ve got this!