Office of Compliance

Title IX

Pregnancy and Parenting


Title IX prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against students based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.  It also prohibits schools from applying any rule related to a student’s parental, familial, or marital status that treats students differently based on their sex.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions.  Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student’s doctor.  Students needing assistance should contact the Title IX Coordinator, Tasha Clark, in the Office of Compliance.

Information for Students

  • Medically necessary absences due to pregnancy or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. When a student has multiple absences due to pregnancy or a related medical condition, she should contact the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Compliance and Risk Management.  The Title IX Coordinator may request information from the student regarding her courses, instructors, and supporting medical information.  The Title IX Coordinator will work with the student to ensure the student has an opportunity to make up any missed work and is not penalized for her absences
  • To ensure an appropriate response, students should contact the Title IX Coordinator as soon as practically possible.  Accommodations and assistance will only be provided retroactively in extremely limited cases.
  • Students may also request accommodations regarding their pregnancy through the Office of Compliance and Risk Management.  Accommodations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • Title IX does not include absences for child care.  If you have a specific concern and need more information, contact our office.

Continuing Activities During Pregnancy

Students cannot be excluded from any programs or activities based on pregnancy.  A professor or administrator cannot require a Doctor’s note for continued participation unless required for all students with a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor.  If the student does provide a note, the University cannot second-guess the Doctor’s decision.

Some university programs and/or classes may involve exposure to chemicals, radiation, or other circumstances that are considered harmful to an unborn child.  In these cases, pregnant students or students planning to become pregnant, should consult with their health care provider to determine if any additional precautions are needed based on their individual situation.  The student is then encouraged to contact the Office of Compliance and Risk Management to explore appropriate risk reduction options.

Parking Permits

Requests for a temporary parking permit valid for all parking spaces, except 24 hour reserved and disabled parking, can be made with the Title IX Coordinator.

Lactation

A lactation room is located in Lewis Hall and the Music Education Complex. These rooms are available to faculty, staff and students.  To access the room in Lewis Hall, please check-in at the front office of the University Police Department.  The lactation room in the Music Education Complex is located on the 2nd floor, northeast corner. There is no check-in process to use this room.

Faculty and staff may contact the Title IX Coordinator to make arrangements, as appropriate, for a lactation room closer to their work location.

Please contact the Title IX Coordinator with any questions or concerns.  Our office strives to be a resource regarding pregnant and parenting students.