Accommodations for Pregnant and Parenting Students & Employees
SUNY Geneseo is committed to supporting our students who may be pregnant or parenting. SUNY Geneseo does not discriminate against any student or employee on the basis of pregnancy, parenting, or related conditions, per Title IX federal regulations.
Under the Title IX regulations, students and employees are not only protected from harassment and discrimination based on pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions or parenting status; they also have the right to request various accommodations; examples include being provided information on leaves of absences, having flexibility with attendance, request extensions for coursework, or provided access to lactation spaces, to name a few.
Lactation Spaces
Federal and State Laws mandate private, convenient, and secure places on campus for nursing students and employees to express breast milk, in addition to mandating the right to reasonable breaks in order to do so.
SUNY Geneseo currently has two equipped lactation spaces on campus, with the addition of a third underway. All lactation rooms are equipped with comfortable seating, table, refrigerator and ample electrical outlets near the chair.
Current designated spaces on campus:
Blake B
Milne Library
To schedule a time to use a room, please complete the Lactation Room Request Form, or contact the Title IX Coordinator, at shebert@geneseo.edu.
Students who experience a need for accommodation on the basis of pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions or parenting status should submit a reasonable accommodation request form. The Title IX Coordinator will meet with the student and assess what resources or reasonable temporary accommodation may be available.
The Title IX Coordinator will coordinate with the necessary offices, including the Dean of Students, the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS), and/or academic departments to ensure equal access for pregnant and/or parenting students.
Accommodations will vary on the specifics of the students’ needs. Examples of accommodations might include:
- A larger desk
- Breaks during class, as needed
- Course policy adjustments, such as modified attendance, flexibility in assignment submission, and making up work and/or exams (to the extent reasonable, and in conjunction with the course instructor)
- Housing accommodations for on-campus students
- Temporary accessible parking
- Access to lactation spaces
Leave of Absence
If you are a student, documented absences due to medical conditions related to pregnancy or parenting will be excused for as long as deemed necessary and educationally practicable. If a Leave of Absence is necessitated, the student will be reinstated at the same status held previous to the leave.
Students can contact the Title IX Coordinator to get more information on how to apply for a leave of absence for pregnancy or parenting reasons.
Employees who experience a need for accommodation on the basis of pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, or parenting status should contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@geneseo.edu, calling (585) 245-5023. Employees can also complete a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form, at which point the Title IX Coordinator will engage in an interactive process with the employee and the supervisor to coordinate the request and ensure equal access.
Accommodations will vary by need, but could possibly include things like:
- Breaks throughout the workday
- Temporary accessible parking
- Flexible schedules
- Access to lactation spaces
- Temporary leave of absence
Reporting Sex Discrimination
If you are pregnant or parenting and believe you have experienced sex discrimination, you have the right to formally report the harassment and/or discrimination you experienced. To file a report of discrimination or harassment, complete the SUNY Charge of Discrimination. The Title IX Coordinator/Sr. Equity Compliance Officer is also available to answer any questions and provide you with information on the grievance procedure process.
For more information, contact Sara Hebert, Title IX Coordinator/Sr. Equity Compliance Officer at shebert@geneseo.edu or by calling (585) 245-5023.