Colleges and universities aren't usually designed for pregnant students or students with young parents—but they don't have the right to discriminate against pregnant and lactating students. Title IX guarantees protection for you if you're pregnant, nursing, or experiencing another condition related to pregnancy. Your professors shouldn't be allowed to give you an incomplete because your due date coincides with the final exam, you shouldn't have to nurse in a bathroom, and your institution should formally let you know what are your rights.

At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team can help you stand up to your college or university to ensure your rights as a pregnant student are protected. Call 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential contact form with your information so we can discuss your case with you.

New Title IX Rules Include Pregnant Students

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 has always protected pregnant students from discrimination in theory—but implementation of these rights has generally been on an ad-hoc basis at most educational institutions. Following the Biden administration's Title IX update in August, it's now explicitly clear that pregnant students' rights are covered by Title IX. Schools are obligated to provide accommodations to all pregnant students, as well as those who have recently given birth and any students with “pregnancy-related conditions,” including miscarriages, abortions, lactation, and more.

What does this clarification about pregnant students mean in practice? First and foremost, colleges and universities must provide pregnant students with notice of their rights as soon as the student discloses their pregnancy to a university faculty or staff member. Other rights might include taking a leave of absence if needed or accessing online classes. It might also mean that professors have to be flexible and work with students to find a way for them to complete their coursework. Having private and clean lactation rooms that aren't bathrooms is also a right some universities offer to lactating students. Of course, the ongoing challenges to the implementation of Title IX also create a lot of uncertainty, and makes it more likely you will have to fight for these rights.

What to Do if Your University Discriminates Against You Because You're Pregnant

Some universities already have protections for pregnant students and new parents in place, but now, guidance on how to prevent discrimination against these students is clearer. This means that you can hold your school accountable if they don't protect your right to an education. Your institution may have had some guidelines about how to treat pregnant students or how you can access services as a new parent, but now you have a clear and solid basis for your argument if you go up against your school. Instead of citing the school's guidelines when demanding your rights, you can cite federal legislation.

If your school doesn't provide you with access to education because of your pregnancy or because you're nursing, you should contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team. We help students nationwide defend themselves against university actions that put their educations at risk. Our team is ready to help you stand up to your school and demand that your rights be respected. Call 888-535-3686 or send us your information via our contact form so we can discuss your case with you.