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Pregnancy/Parenting

  1. Non Discrimination Statement

    RFU does not discriminate in its education program or activity against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). RFU prohibits members of the community from adopting or implementing any policy, practice, or procedure which treats an applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee differently on the basis of current, potential, or past parental, family, or marital status. This policy and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant persons, regardless of gender identity or expression.

    RFU is committed to providing reasonable modifications for employees and students due to circumstances related to pregnancy/childbirth and parental status. If you are a pregnant or a parenting student who wishes to request reasonable modifications from the University, please reach out to the Director of Title IX Compliance as soon as possible prior to your need for the modifications.

  2. Definitions
    • Familial Status. The configuration of one’s family or one’s role in a family.
    • Marital Status. The state of being married or unmarried.
    • Parental Status. The status of a person who, with respect to another person who is under the age of 18, is a biological, adoptive, foster, or stepparent; a legal custodian or guardian; in loco parentis with respect to such a person; or actively seeking legal custody, guardianship, visitation, or adoption of such a person.
    • Pregnancy and Related Conditions. The full spectrum of processes and events connected with pregnancy, including pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; related medical conditions; and recovery from there .
    • Reasonable Modifications. Individualized modifications to RFU’s policies, practices, or procedures that do not fundamentally alter the education program or activity.
  3. Information Sharing Requirements

    Any RFU employee who becomes aware of a student’s pregnancy or related condition is required to provide the student with the Director of Title IX Compliance’s contact information and communicate that the Director can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to RFU’s education program and activity. If the employee has a reasonable belief that the Director is already aware of the pregnancy or related condition, the employee is not required to provide the student with the Director’s contact information.

  4. Pregnant students, you have the right to:
     
    • To begin or continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities even though you are pregnant.
    • Reasonable modifications, when necessary because of your pregnancy. Examples of modifications may include:
      • Changes in physical space such as a larger desk
      • larger uniform or other required clothing
      • breaks during class as needed
      • allow a student to sit or stand as needed
      • carry or keep water nearby
      • allowances to eat and use the bathroom as needed
      • counseling
      • permitting temporary access to elevators
      • the ability to complete make-up work
      • extended time
      • provision of class materials
      • the option to take a voluntary leave of absence
      • access to homebound or online education
      • 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, regardless of gender identity, who need to take their children to medical appointments or to take care of their sick children.
      • Other changes to practices, policies and procedures as determined by the Director of Title IX Compliance
    • Excused absences due to pregnancy related appointments or childbirth- students must be allowed reasonable time to make up assignments after such leaves or appointments.
      • Supporting documentation for Reasonable Modifications will only be required when it is necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to determine which Reasonable Modifications to offer to determine other specific actions to take to ensure equal access.
      • Information about pregnant students’ requests for modifications will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the Reasonable Modification.
    • Return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began, if/when appropriate in the context of academic success.
    • Be protected from harassment based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions.
    • In situations such as clinical rotations, performances, labs, and group work, RFU will work with the student to devise an alternative path to completion, if possible. In progressive curricular and/or cohort-model programs, medically necessary leaves are sufficient cause to permit the student to shift course order, substitute similar courses, or join a subsequent cohort when returning from leave.
    • Students are encouraged to work with their faculty members and the RFU’s support systems to devise a plan for how to best address the conditions as pregnancy progresses, anticipate the need for leaves, minimize the academic impact of their absence, and get back on track as efficiently and comfortably as possible. The Director of Title IX Compliance will assist with plan development and implementation as needed.
    • Students experiencing pregnancy-related conditions that manifest as a temporary disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are eligible for reasonable accommodations just like any other student with a temporary disability. The Director of Title IX Compliance will consult with the Executive Director of Accessibility and Academic Services in order to ensure the student receives reasonable accommodations for their disability as required by law.
  5. Certification to Participate

    All students should be informed of health and safety risks related to participation in academic and co-curricular activities, regardless of pregnancy status. A student may not be required to provide health care provider or other certification that the student is physically able to participate in the program or activity, unless:

    1. The certified level of physical ability or health is necessary for participation;
    2. The institution requires such certification of all students participating; and
    3. The information obtained is not used as a basis for pregnancy-related discrimination.

    You can be connected to support services which may include information on: medical and behavioral health coverage; public benefits programs; parenting and childcare resources; employment assistance; and academic success strategies.

    To learn more about pregnancy and parenting, view the U.S. Department of Education PDF. For any questions, please see the key points of contact below.

    For Title IX related information:

    Allena Barbato, JD LMFT
    Director of Title IX Compliance, Title IX Coordinator and Equity Officer
    Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
    3333 Green Bay Road, Room 1.314
    North Chicago, IL 60064
    Phone: 224-570-7314
    Email: allena.barbato@rosalindfranklin.edu

    For employee related information:

    Mary Tell, MSHRM, SPHR
    Director, Human Resources
    Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
    3333 Green Bay Road
    North Chicago, IL 60064-3095
    Phone: 847-578-8537
    Email: mary.tell@rosalindfranklin.edu

    For disability related information:

    Maryanna Gibbs, M.A.
    Executive Director, Accessibility and Academic Services
    Division of Student Success and Wellness
    Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
    3333 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago, IL 60064
    Phone: 847-578-3327
    maryanna.gibbs@rosalindfranklin.edu

    If you feel you have been discriminated against due to pregnancy or parenting issue, you may file a complaint.

Pregnancy/Parenting Resources

Nursing Mothers Room
L.130A
847-578-3262

Campus Changing Station
BSB 1.368, RWCLC 1.047 and RWCLC 1.049