Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Policy
A student, no matter their marital status, who becomes pregnant will receive grace-filled care and support. Point Loma Nazarene University 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 or childbirth-related conditions or recovery. Students are encouraged to work with their faculty members and the Title IX Office to devise a plan for how to best address the conditions as pregnancy progresses, anticipate the need for leaves, minimize the academic impact of their absence and stay on track as efficiently and comfortably as possible. The Title IX Coordinator will assist with plan development and implementation as needed.
Title IX Coordinator
titleix@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-2313
Accommodations
Pregnant students are able to access accommodations and support in the same way as someone who has a temporary condition. The Title IX Coordinator has the authority to determine that such accommodations are necessary and appropriate. As with other Title IX and EAC accommodations, information about pregnant students’ requests for accommodations will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary in order to provide the reasonable accommodations. Faculty and staff will regard all information associated with such requests as private and will not disclose this information unless necessary. Administrative responsibility for these accommodations lies with the Title IX Coordinator, who will maintain all appropriate documentation related to accommodations.
Leave of Absence
The University can also grant pregnant students a medical leave of absence at the students’ request for one semester and then effectively will reinstate the student to the same status as was held when the leave began. The leave term may be extended in the case of extenuating circumstances or medical necessity.
As long as a student can maintain appropriate academic progress, faculty, staff, or other University employees cannot require a student to take a leave of absence, or withdraw from or limit their studies as the result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, but nothing in this policy requires modification of the essential elements of any academic program.
Continuation of a student’s scholarship, fellowship, or similar University-sponsored funding during the leave term will depend on the student’s registration status and the policies of the funding program regarding registration status. Students will not be negatively impacted by or forfeit their future eligibility for their scholarship, fellowship, or similar University-supported funding by exercising their rights under this Policy.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding students will be granted reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible. Bathroom stalls do not satisfy this requirement. PLNU also provides students and employees with access to designated lactation spaces on campus. To access use of this space, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Parental Accommodations for All Parents
This policy provides at least six weeks of “Parental Accommodation” for students who become parents through birth, adoption, guardianship or fostering. This policy can also be applied to a student who has a child who is hospitalized.
During this time the student is entitled to a reasonable extension of deadlines and academic expectations to accommodate the student’s new parental responsibilities including assignments, exams and other requirements, as determined in consultation with student’s professors. These accommodations may suspend requirements for class attendance, exams, other course-related requirements, lab work, or work toward a degree. The accommodation period preserves student status, funding, health insurance, and housing eligibility.
In addition to the accommodation period, students are permitted to take a leave of absence. This leave can be in the form of personal or medical leave for one semester, with a possibility of extension.
For more information, contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Title IX Coordinator
titleix@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-2313