Pregnancy Policy

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Sept 01, 2023 by Jonathan Swartz

Eastern Mennonite University is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, as mandated by Title IX and ensuring the protection and equal treatment of pregnant persons, individuals with pregnancy-related conditions, and new parents. 

Non-Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodation

Students affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions are entitled to the following:

  1. Eastern Mennonite University and its faculty, staff, and other employees will not require a student to limit studies due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.
  2. The benefits and services provided to students affected by pregnancy shall be no less than those provided to students with temporary medical conditions.
  3. Students with pregnancy-related disabilities, like any other student with a disability, are entitled to reasonable accommodation so they will not be disadvantaged in their courses of study or research, and may seek assistance from the Assistant Provost for Student Success.
  4. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
    • accommodations requested by the pregnant student to protect the health and safety of the student and/or her pregnancy (e.g. allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances)  
    • modifications to the physical environment (e.g. accessible seating)  
    • extending deadlines and/or allowing the student to make up tests or assignments missed for pregnancy-related absences  
    • excusing medically-necessary absences  
    • granting leave
  5. Breastfeeding students must be granted reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible. Bathroom stalls do not satisfy this requirement. Individuals should contact the Title IX coordinator (540-432-4133 or titleixcoordinator@emu.edu) to arrange for private on-campus spaces for breastfeeding, and accommodations will be made on an individual basis according to preferences and needs.

Reports of alleged discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions will be investigated by the university's Title IX coordinator. See Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX).