University of Indianapolis Pregnancy and Related Conditions Policy for Students

Responsible Office: Student Affairs

Effective Date: October 7, 2025

purpose

The University of Indianapolis (after referred to as “UIndy”) 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”). UIndy prohibits members of the UIndy community from applying any rule or taking any action 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 students.

SCOPE

All members of the UIndy community must comply with this policy.

INFORMATION SHARING REQUIREMENTS

Any UIndy employee who becomes aware of a student’s pregnancy or related condition is encouraged to provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and explain that the Coordinator can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to UIndy’s education program and activity.

Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the student and inform the student of UIndy’s obligations to prohibit sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions. Additionally, the Title IX Coordinator will inform the student of UIndy’s ability to:

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 while minimizing any related penalties
Allow continued participation in all programs and activities, including athletics
Ensure lactation space availability

When a student is experiencing pregnancy-related conditions, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the student that UIndy will 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

Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions may request Reasonable Modifications to ensure equal access to UIndy’s education program and activity and to prevent sex discrimination. Any student seeking Reasonable Modifications must contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss appropriate and available Reasonable Modifications based on the pregnant student’s individual needs. Students are encouraged to request Reasonable Modifications as promptly as possible. Retroactive modifications may be available in limited circumstances. Reasonable Modifications are voluntary, and a student can accept or decline the Reasonable Modifications offered. Not all Reasonable Modifications are appropriate for all contexts.

Reasonable Modifications may include:

Breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom
Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
Access to online or homebound education, where available
Changes in schedule or course sequence, where available
Time extensions for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations
Allowing a student to sit or stand, and carry or keep water nearby
Counseling
Changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest)
Elevator access
A larger uniform or other required clothing or equipment
Other reasonable changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Title IX Coordinator

In situations such as clinical rotations, performances, labs, and group work, the institution 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. The Title IX Coordinator will work with students, their faculty members, and UIndy’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.

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 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 implement the Reasonable Modification.

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 Title IX Coordinator may refer a student experiencing pregnancy-related conditions to the Office of Disability Resources to ensure the student receives reasonable accommodations for their temporary disability as required by law.

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 healthcare provider or other certification that the student is physically able to participate in the program or activity, unless:

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

LACTATION SPACE ACCESS

UIndy provides students and employees with access to lactation spaces that are functional, appropriate, and safe. Such spaces are regularly cleaned, shielded from view, and free from the intrusion of others. Restrooms will not be designated as appropriate lactation spaces.

Lactation spaces are located in the following locations:

Health Pavilion - near room 265

This space is open to the UIndy community. If you have any problems with accessing this space please contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uindy.edu or 317-788-2139

LEAVES OF ABSENCE

Students are permitted to take a voluntary leave of absence for a reasonable time as deemed medically necessary by their healthcare provider because of pregnancy and/or the birth of a child. The leave term may be extended in the case of extenuating circumstances or medical necessity.

To the extent possible, UIndy will take reasonable steps to ensure that students who take a leave of absence or medical leave return to the same position of academic progress that they were in when they took leave, without financial penalty, including access to the same or an equivalent course catalog that was in place when the leave began.

Continuation of students’ scholarships, fellowships, or similar UIndy-sponsored funding during the leave term will depend on student registration status and the policies of the funding program regarding registration status. Students will not be negatively impacted by or forfeit their future eligibility for their scholarship, fellowship, or similar UIndy-supported funding by exercising their rights under this policy.

The Title IX Office can and will advocate for students with respect to financial aid agencies and external scholarship providers in the event that a leave of absence places eligibility into question.

In order to initiate a leave of absence, the student must contact the Title IX Coordinator at least 30 business days prior to the initiation of leave, or as soon as possible. The Coordinator will assist the student in completing any necessary paperwork.

POLICY DISSEMINATION AND TRAINING

A copy of this policy will be made available to faculty and employees and posted on the UIndy website. UIndy will alert all new students about this policy and the location of this policy as part of orientation. The Title IX Office will make educational materials available to all members of the UIndy community to promote compliance with this policy and familiarity with its procedures.

COMPLAINTS

Students who wish to make a complaint regarding discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions may do so by submitting a complaint form or contacting the Title IX Coordinator directly.

Hannah Melton
Assistant Dean of Judicial Affairs & Title IX Coordinator
Schwitzer Student Center 210
1400 E Hanna Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227
317-788-2139
titleix@uindy.edu

GLOSSARY

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. Or a person who is 18 or older but who is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability.
Pregnancy and Related Conditions: Pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or lactation, medical conditions related thereto, or recovery therefrom.
Reasonable Modifications: Individualized modifications to UIndy’s policies, practices, or procedures to prevent discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or a related condition and that do not fundamentally alter UIndy’s education program or activity.