Pregnancy and Related Circumstances

Your Rights Under Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in all aspects of an educational program. It helps to ensure equal opportunities by making it illegal to harass, intimidate or discriminate on the basis of pregnancy and related conditions or needs such as:

  • four young women, smilingMorning sickness, fatigue, prenatal care or postpartum depression
  • Childbirth
  • IVF treatments
  • Miscarriage
  • Termination of a pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Medical treatment or recovery related to these conditions

De Anza College is committed to maintaining an educational environment free from sex-based discrimination – including discrimination based on current, potential or past pregnancy or related medical conditions, regardless of parental, family or marital status.

See below for more information about accommodations and voluntary leaves of absence.

Lactation Room on Campus

line drawing of breastfeeding womanLooking for a clean, safe space for breast-feeding or pumping milk?

De Anza has a designated lactation room that is clean, lockable and free from view or intrusion. Contact the Student Health Services office for details


Accommodations

Students who are pregnant, postpartum or have related conditions are entitled to “reasonable academic adjustments” such as:

  • Parking or elevator access*
  • A larger or different desk*
  • Sitting or standing as needed**
  • Protective gear or other arrangements during labs**
  • Breaks during class to eat, drink, use the restroom or pump milk**
  • Excused absences for medical appointments**
  • Extensions on deadlines or rescheduling tests**
  • Access to online classes or coursework as needed**
  • Changes in schedule or course sequence***
  • Voluntary leave of absence if medically necessary***

* Contact the Title IX coordinator

** Speak with your instructor

*** Speak with your counselor


Voluntary Leave of Absence

Students must be allowed to take time off from school for pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, termination or recovery, as deemed medically necessary by a licensed health care provider. Examples may include:

  • Absences for necessary medical appointments
  • A longer leave of absence for a high-risk pregnancy or childbirth – even if the medically necessary leave is longer than the college’s leave policy ordinarily allows

Students cannot be penalized for taking leave. They must be allowed to return to school with the same status they held before taking leave.

drawing of peaceful face with lotus flower

For Questions or Concerns, Contact

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