UMass Boston

Non-Discrimination Statement

UMass Boston is committed to creating and maintain a community where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which can include discrimination based on current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions, marital status, or parental status.

A pregnant student can ask for Reasonable Modifications from the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX ("CRTIX") due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This covers instances of such student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom. This policy and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant persons, regardless of gender identity or expression. A pregnant student can continue to participate in all classes and co-curricular activities including clubs, sports, and student leadership opportunities.

Definitions

• 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 (miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth) or lactation; related medical conditions; and recovery therefrom.
• Reasonable Modifications. Individualized modifications to UMass Boston’s policies, practices, or procedures that do not fundamentally alter the educational program or activity.

Information Sharing Requirement (New in Fall 2024)

Pursuant to new Title IX regulations, if a student discloses their pregnancy or related condition to any UMass Boston employee, the employee is required to:

• provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information, and
• communicate that the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to the UMass Boston’s educational programs and activities.

Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator, or their designee, will contact the student and inform the student of the UMass Boston’s obligations to:

• Prohibit sex discrimination.
• Provide reasonable modifications.
• Allow access, on a voluntary basis, to any separate and comparable portion of the institution’s education program or activity.
• Allow a voluntary leave of absence.
• Ensure lactation space availability.
• Maintain a resolution process for alleged discrimination.
• Treat pregnancy as comparable to other temporary medical conditions for medical benefit, service, plan, or policy purposes.

The Title IX Coordinator will also notify the student of the process to file a complaint for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, as applicable.

Reasonable Modifications for Students

Upon request, CRTIX can assist pregnant students with such Reasonable Modifications as:

• Provide an opportunity to make up missed work wherever possible, including class participation and attendance credits.
• Extend deadlines and request make‐up assignments (e.g., papers, quizzes, tests, and presentations).
• Make modifications to the physical environment (such as accessible seating).
• Provide information on requesting a grade of incomplete.
• Grant a voluntary leave of absence for so long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician, and then effectively reinstate the student to the same status as was held when the leave began.
• Allow breaks to attend to the health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom.
• Change a schedule or course sequence.
• Allow breastfeeding students reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a private location and extend timed assignments to accommodate lactation.

The Title IX Coordinator, or their designee, will engage in an interactive process to identify the Reasonable Modifications that are necessary based on the individual’s needs and inform faculty members of the need to adjust academic parameters accordingly. If a proposed modifications would fundamentally alter a course, program, or service the Title IX Coordinator, or their designee, will work with the student, faculty member and/or department on a case by case basis to offer alternative modifications. Reasonable Modifications are voluntary, and a student can accept or decline the offered Reasonable Modifications. Not all Reasonable Modifications are appropriate for all contexts.

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 or to determine other specific actions to take to ensure equal access.

Information about pregnant student’s requests for Reasonable Modifications will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the modification. Faculty and staff will regard all information associated with such requests as private and will not disclose this information unless necessary.

Students and faculty are encouraged to work together to implement agreed upon modifications, including anticipating the need for leaves, minimizing the impact of absences, and getting back on track as efficiently and comfortably as possible. The Title IX Coordinator, or their designee, will assist with plan development and implementation as needed.

No time limitations will be imposed on requests for modifications, but students are encouraged to proactively request modifications.

To get more information or to request possible Reasonable Modifications contact CRTIX by emailing CivilRights.TitleIX@umb.edu or calling 617-287-5148.

You do not need to register with the Ross Center for Disability Services to receive pregnancy modifications. Students experiencing pregnancy-related conditions that manifest as a 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 disability. The Title IX Coordinator will consult with Ross Center staff to ensure the student receives reasonable accommodations for their disability as required by law.

Lactation Space Access

For access to private lactation spaces on campus contact CivilRights.TitleIX@umb.edu to obtain the location and access code. Lactation spaces are available in the Quinn Administration Building and McCormack.

Policy Dissemination and Training

A copy of this policy will be posted on the UMass Boston website.

Other Resources

Know Your Rights Under Title IX
Guidance from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
The Pregnant Scholar