Pregnant students may contact the Title IX Office to request assistance with modifications. Examples of modifications include, but are not limited to, rescheduling tests or exams, excusing absences, submitting work after a deadline or providing alternatives to make up missed work. The Title IX Office may facilitate communications with the student’s professors or assist with other University resources.
Yes. Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Depending on the length of the absence and area of instruction, it may be academically necessary for the student to take a leave of absence. Professors must provide a leave of absence for pregnant students for as long as it is deemed necessary by their medical doctor.
After an excused absence due to pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions, professors must allow a reasonable time for the student to make up missed assignments and tests. This is true regardless of the professor’s typical makeup assignment policy. Depending on the nature of the course, making up the exact missed assignment might not be feasible. The makeup work does not have to be exactly the same as the missed work, but needs to be reasonably equivalent.
A student may not be penalized for absences known to be due to pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions. A professor cannot reduce a pregnant student’s grade because of attendance or participation points that the student missed during excused absences due to her pregnancy-related conditions. The professor must give the student a reasonable opportunity to earn back the credit missed due to pregnancy.
No. Under Title IX, the University cannot exclude someone from class based on their pregnancy. The University can only require a pregnant student to provide a doctor's certification of fitness to continue in an education program or activity if the same requirement is imposed on all other students with medical conditions requiring a doctor's care.
Yes. Pregnant students cannot be excluded from University-related off-campus programs, such as internships, off-campus activities, University-sponsored activities, and other extracurricular activities.
The University must provide the same services to pregnant students that it provides to other students with temporary disabilities.
The University will not tolerate sex-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy and related conditions. If a pregnant student experiences harassment based on her pregnancy, she should let the Title IX Office know immediately. If a faculty or staff member witnesses or learns about harassment of a pregnant student, they should immediately notify the Title IX Office so that it can take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end pregnancy-related harassment, prevent its recurrence, and eliminate any hostile environment created by the harassment. The same grievance procedures applicable to complaints of discrimination also apply to discrimination based on pregnancy or parental status.
Title IX prohibits a school’s retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint or raising concerns about the rights of a pregnant and parenting student.
As long as the student remains in school and in good standing when the student is not medically required to be absent, the student will not lose the scholarship. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 256-824-6650 or finaid@uah.edu for more information.
Yes. The University has designated lactation rooms. For a list of the designated lactation rooms, please visit our Nursing Mothers' Room page.
Yes. UAH has the Early Learning Center. The UAH Early Learning Center blends best practices from early childhood education, child development, early childhood special education, and integrated therapy to give all children a firm foundation for their future. The learning environment is designed to promote and allow for multidimensional growth: socially, cognitively, physically, and emotionally.
The UAH Early Learning Center comprises the UAH RISE School, Early Head Start, and Head Start Programs.
We provide year-round services with some scheduled breaks. Our calendars are aligned as closely as possible with those of the local school systems and UAH. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Morning Wraparound (7:00 a.m.—8:00 a.m.) and Afternoon Wraparound (until 5:30 p.m.) are offered for an additional monthly fee.
The UAH Early Learning Center is supported by gifts and grants from individuals, foundations and corporations, tuition, and UAH as a community outreach center for the College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.
At the RISE School, we understand that every child and family has unique needs. While we are committed to providing a high-quality, inclusive early learning experience, we want to be transparent in acknowledging that we may not be the right fit for every family. Our program does not have licensed behavior therapists or mental health counselors on staff. Families seeking intensive behavioral or therapeutic support may find that a setting with more specialized services better aligns with their needs. We are always happy to partner with families to help explore alternative options when needed.
Yes. To request reasonable modifications, contact the Title IX Office, who will recommend reasonable modifications and work with the department in implementing them.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Title IX Office
Shelbie King Hall, room 357-358
301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35899
256-824-7854
TitleIX@uah.edu