Pregnancy Modifications
Austin Peay State University (APSU) does not discriminate in its education programs or activities against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee based on current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Austin Peay State University prohibits members of the APSU community from adopting or implementing any policy, practice, or procedure that treats an applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee differently based on current, potential, or past parental status. This policy and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant persons, regardless of gender identity or expression. (ATIXA)
Supporting documentation for reasonable modifications will only be required when necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to determine which reasonable modifications to offer and other specific actions to take to ensure equal access.
The Office of Institutional Culture will share information about pregnant students’ requests for modifications with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the reasonable modification.
Students must be allowed to take time off of school for pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, and recovery for as long as their doctor says is medically necessary. That could mean a few absences for essential medical appointments or a more extended leave of absence for a high-risk pregnancy or childbirth. This rule applies even if taking medically necessary leave would require an absence for longer than the school’s leave policy ordinarily allows. Students cannot be penalized for taking leave and must be able to return to school in the same status they held before taking leave.
Schools are required to provide pregnant students and students with related conditions such as childbirth or false pregnancy with at least the same exceptional services as they provide to students with other temporary conditions. For example, suppose a school provides homebound instruction or take-home assignments to students who miss school for . In that case, they must do the same for a student who misses school due to pregnancy or childbirth. Pregnant students and those with related medical conditions may also be eligible for disability protections and services under the ADA, depending upon their condition.
If you have questions, you may contact the Office of Institutional Culture:
- Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator - LaNeeça Williams
- Director of Equal Employment Opportunity & Investigator – Sheila Bryant
- Assistant Director of Equal Employment Opportunity & Investigator – Jayme Dunn
- Institutional Culture Coordinator – Ashley Puskas
Inquiries or complaints regarding the non-discrimination policies should be directed immediately to LaNeeça R. Williams, Chief of Institutional Culture and Title IX Coordinator, or by filling out the confidential APSU Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Form:
- Morgan University Center (MUC) Lower Level
- Woodward Library Lower Level
- Music and Mass Communication Building (upstairs outside of Mabry Concert Hall)
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 health care 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.