Pregnant and Parenting Students
Many college students balance academic responsibilities while caring for children or preparing to become parents. Although student parents often demonstrate exceptional commitment and academic success, they may also encounter unique challenges that can affect their educational experience. UAH is committed to providing resources, supportive measures, and reasonable modifications to help pregnant and parenting students remain engaged in their academic programs and achieve their educational goals.
Students are encouraged to explore the resources available through the University and to contact the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity for information about supportive measures, reasonable modifications, and available campus and community resources.
Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students
UAH prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, parenting status, and related medical conditions. Pregnant and parenting students have the right to continue participating in educational programs and activities and to receive reasonable modifications that ensure equal access to their education.
Depending on an individual's circumstances, reasonable modifications and supportive measures may include:
- Excused absences for medically necessary appointments, treatment, childbirth, or recovery.
- Flexibility with assignment deadlines, examinations, attendance requirements, or course participation when medically necessary.
- Reasonable classroom modifications, such as larger seating, seating near exits, the ability to sit rather than stand during laboratory or clinical activities when feasible, and additional restroom, hydration, or lactation breaks.
- Access to private, clean spaces for expressing breast milk as provided by University policy.
- Temporary adjustments to academic requirements or course participation during pregnancy-related medical restrictions or recovery.
- Opportunities to complete coursework through alternative methods, including remote participation or distance learning when appropriate and consistent with course requirements.
- Referral to campus and community resources that support student well-being and academic success.
Reasonable modifications are determined through an individualized, interactive process based on each student's needs and the essential requirements of the academic program. These modifications may be available for students enrolled in on-campus, hybrid, and online courses.
UAH encourages students to contact the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity as early as possible so that appropriate supportive measures and reasonable modifications can be implemented in a timely manner.
Employees
The University of Alabama Huntsville is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. UAH will provide a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting employees.
Reasonable accommodations may be provided for a pregnant employee’s known limitations – specifically, any physical and/or mental conditions related to, affected by, or arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or other pregnancy-related medical conditions – unless the requested accommodations are unreasonable and/or would pose an undue hardship on the University’s operations. For more information on how to request a reasonable accommodation related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, please call 256-824-2259 or email benefits@uah.edu. Learn more about support for employees.