Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

Spring Hill College is dedicated to fostering an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible for pregnant and parenting students and employees. Title IX protects against discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes discrimination based on current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions.

The Department of Labor and the Department of Education requires reasonable accommodations are provided to pregnant and parenting students and employees as well as protect them from any harassment or discrimination.

Title IX Overview

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs. This includes discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery.

Under Title IX, pregnancy and postpartum students and employees have the right to:

Request reasonable accommodation
Take medically necessary leave
Be free from harassment, intimidation, or discrimination due to pregnancy-related conditions.

All aspects of Spring Hill College programs, including academics, athletics, internships, and extracurricular activities are covered under Title IX protections.

Accommodations

Pregnant and parenting students and employees have the right to reasonable accommodations throughout and after a pregnancy to ensure their continued participation in Spring Hill College programs and activities.

Student Accommodations

Pregnant and parenting students have the right to reasonable accommodations that ensure continued participation in College programs. Reasonable accommodations are adjustments, modifications, or supportive measures provided by the College to ensure that a pregnant or parenting student or employee can fully access and participate in educational programs or work without discrimination, as protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Key Elements of Reasonable Accommodations

Based on the specific needs of the person and their pregnancy-related condition
Appropriate and effective: Must meaningfully support continued participation
Non-discriminatory: Cannot disadvantage the individual compared to others
Without undue burden: Should not fundamentally alter a program or create excessive difficulty or expense for the institution

How to Request Accommodations

Contact: Title IX Office at Titleix@shc.edu or 251.380.3026.
Submit Request: Complete the Accommodation Request Form
Provide Documentation: Submit supporting medical documentation.
Evaluation: The Title IX Office and/or Student Disability Resources (SAR) review the request.
Decision & Implementation: Students are notified of approved accommodations, which are implemented promptly.
Appeals: If a request is denied, students may submit an appeal.

Appropriate Medical Documentation

Appropriate medical documentation is written verification from a licensed healthcare provider that confirms a pregnancy or related condition and clearly explains any resulting functional limitations that may affect a student’s or employee’s ability to participate in academic or work activities. Documentation should include relevant details such as the nature of the condition (when appropriate), expected duration, and specific restrictions or needs (e.g., limits on standing, need for frequent breaks, or inability to attend in person). The information provided should be sufficient to support the requested accommodation while respecting the individual’s privacy; only documentation necessary to establish the need for accommodations will be required.

Expected Timelines: Requests are reviewed within 5 business days, and approved accommodations are implemented as soon as possible. Appeal responses are provided within 5 business days.

Examples of Accommodations

Temporary remote participation if feasible
Adjusted assignment due dates
Physical classroom accommodations
Ability to make up missed assignments
Leave of absence

Individual Absence Verification: Faculty are required by the Office of Civil Rights to allow students to make up any work missed, including class participation points, due to a documented doctor’s appointment. This can be done through additional assignments or opportunities in other class sessions.

Leave of Absence: Should a student need to withdraw from their courses and take a leave of absence, the Title IX office can assist with a medical withdrawal process.

Student Accessibility Resources (SAR) can provide long term or physical need accommodations. While Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 governs protections and accommodations related specifically to pregnancy and parenting, the Student Accessibility Resources (SAR) Office operates under disability law frameworks such as Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The Title IX Office serves as the primary point of contact for pregnancy-related accommodations, ensuring that students are protected from discrimination and receive immediate, short-term, or pregnancy-specific support. These accommodations are often temporary and based on the unique needs associated with pregnancy and recovery.

In contrast, SAR supports students with documented disabilities, including pregnancy-related conditions that rise to the level of a disability or require longer-term or more structured accommodations. SAR engages in an interactive process with the student to determine appropriate academic adjustments and may provide ongoing support beyond the duration of pregnancy.

This can include any documented need for altered course participation.

Long Term Course Alteration: Should a student encounter a period of time where they are unable to physically attend class (ex: doctor ordered bed rest, ongoing required doctors appointments), SAR can work with the student and professor to find a reasonable accommodation.

Facilities Needs: SAR can accommodate requests for facilities needs in the classroom including alternative furniture to make attendance more healthy and comfortable.

Housing & Community Resources

Spring Hill College currently does not offer family housing accommodations. Resources are available for students in the community, and Res Life will work with students to accommodate a waiver to live off campus.

Community Housing Resources

One Ten Student Living – is a fully furnished student-living apartment complex located 10 minutes away from SHC that offers leases for families with children.
Dumas Wesley Community Center’s Transitional Housing Program provides 24 months of housing for qualified individuals.
Family Promise of Coastal Alabama works to provide temporary shelter, related services and support for families who qualify.
Women’s Resource Center provides reproductive health resources and support to women.
2B Choices for Women is a pregnancy and parenting services ministry supported by Catholic Charities as a program of Catholic Social Services. They provide support, resources, and education for pregnant women and families.
Gulf Coast Family Center offers training, technical, and financial assistance to support families and communities.

Employee Accommodations

Employees (including student employees) can request accommodations through Human Resources (HR). For more information and to request accommodations, please contact the Human Resources Office at hr@shc.edu.

Lactation Room

Spring Hill College maintains a dedicated lactation room for faculty, staff, students and visitors in the LAC Room 296

If this location is not convenient, contact Human Resources (employees) or Title IX (students) for assistance identifying alternative options.

Grievances

Should a student or employee feel they have been denied appropriate accommodations or they have been discriminated against or harassed due to their pregnancy or parenting status, they have the right to file a grievance with the College.

Student Grievance Form
Employees should contact Human Resources at HR@shc.edu

For additional information, please contact:
Dr. Vannee Cao-Nguyen
Title IX Coordinator
vcaonguyen@shc.edu
251-380-3026