Information on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Conditions Accommodations
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Fort Hays State University require staff and faculty to reasonably accommodate pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions for their students, upon request by the student. It is the goal of FHSU to collaborate with students to ensure pregnancy is not a barrier to completing coursework, while ensuring that course objectives and standards continue to be met. Students may not be discriminated against because of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions.
How to Access Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Conditions Accommodations
You may request pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions accommodations by registering with Student Accessibility Services or contacting the FHSU Office of Title IX Compliance. You will be required to identify your needs and provide documentation in order to be considered eligible for reasonable accommodations. We will review your documentation and visit with you to determine accommodations that will be effective for your learning and/or engagement.
Student Responsibilities
After meeting with Student Accessibility Services and being approved for accommodations, we will send you a letter by email which outlines appropriate accommodations for your specific situation. It is your responsibility to disseminate the accommodation letter and request accommodations from faculty members for your participation in the classroom. You are also responsible for meeting with faculty and discussing any concerns that may arise.
It is important that you make accommodation requests in a timely manner so that faculty and Student Accessibility Services staff may plan for those accommodations.
Examples of Accommodations Related to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Related Conditions
Accommodations for you will be determined by talking with a Student Accessibility Services staff member about your classes and how to best meet the requirements of the coursework, curriculum, and standards. Specific accommodations will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will depend on medical needs and academic requirements. You may not require accommodations in every class, and you will not receive every available accommodation.
Accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Breaks during class, as needed
- Permitting temporary access to elevators
- A larger desk
- Rescheduling tests or exams
- Excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions
- Submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth
- Providing alternatives to make up missed work
- Allowing excused absences for parenting students (both mothers and fathers) who need to take their children to doctors’ appointments or to take care of their sick children
- Allowing you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began, which should include giving you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out
Additional Information About FHSU’s Title IX Policies
To learn more about FHSU’s Title IX policies, procedures, and support of students who are pregnant, please contact FHSU’s Title IX Coordinator:
Laurie Larrick, Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Sheridan Hall, Room 314
Hays, KS 67601
785-628-4175
lelarrick@fhsu.edu
Complaints of action in violation of Title IX policy can also be directed to the FHSU Title IX Coordinator. To learn more about Title IX for pregnant and parenting students, visit the U.S. Department of Education's website.