Lacy Guzman decided to return to college while pregnant with her first child, seeking a more stable future for her family after both she and her husband lost their jobs. By the time she began her associate degree, her baby boy was six months old. During her undergraduate and master’s programs, Guzman had two more children.
Guzman faced numerous challenges in obtaining even basic accommodations during her pregnancies. For example, when she was expecting her second child, she requested to take exams early to avoid a potential conflict with her due date. Despite an initial agreement with her math professor, the professor later refused, citing the unavailability of the exam. Guzman was left with the difficult choice of either taking an incomplete or attempting to complete the exam while near her due date.
Now a career services specialist at Union College in New Jersey, Guzman’s research on student mothers revealed that her difficulties were not uncommon. While Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 has long prohibited discrimination against pregnant students, new regulations that took effect on August 1 make it explicitly clear that colleges must provide accommodations for pregnant students, those who have recently given birth, and those with pregnancy-related conditions, including lactation and miscarriages.
Under the new rules, if Guzman’s situation occurred today, the college’s Title IX office would be required to step in to ensure she received proper support, depending on state enforcement of the regulations.
The regulations also mandate that universities inform pregnant students of their rights, a measure experts deem nearly as crucial as the protections themselves. “Students often don’t know their rights until they are explicitly told,” said Dana Bolger, senior staff attorney at A Better Balance. “Many pregnant students are unaware that Title IX applies to them, and this needs to change.” Universities are now required to guide students who disclose a pregnancy to appropriate resources and notify them of the support available through the Title IX office.
The new regulations have led many universities to revise or create new policies regarding pregnant and parenting students. The University of New Mexico, for instance, introduced a comprehensive Pregnancy Manual outlining students’ rights, including the option to take a leave of absence and accommodations like online classes. The manual also encourages professors to find alternative ways to help students complete hands-on and group work.
Angela Catena, UNM’s Title IX coordinator, welcomed the new regulations, noting that previous guidance was limited. The manual also advises against discriminatory practices such as pressuring students to drop courses.
Guzman also recalled that her husband faced discrimination when he was advised by professors to delay his studies because of their impending parenthood. This experience underscored the challenges faced by student parents.
Other universities, including Michigan State and Princeton, have updated their policies for pregnant and parenting students. While specifics vary—such as MSU’s requirement for medical documentation—these policies aim to facilitate accommodations and reduce discrimination.
Jessica Lee, director of the Pregnant Scholar Initiative, praised the implementation of formal policies, emphasizing that ad hoc approaches often lead to discrimination. “Without clear policies, students struggle to manage their pregnancies and academic responsibilities,” she said.
The new regulations also address lactation needs by requiring colleges to provide lactation rooms and breaks for pumping milk. This aligns with a 2022 federal law mandating lactation rooms in workplaces, including educational institutions. However, some universities previously lacked clear guidelines. Lee highlighted that the new standards ensure lactation spaces are clean, private, and not located in bathrooms.
Despite these improvements, experts argue that additional support is needed for parenting students beyond pregnancy-related medical conditions. Bolger and Lee suggest that schools should adopt flexible attendance policies for students caring for children, an area currently lacking in the new regulations.
Additionally, some states have blocked the Department of Education from enforcing these regulations due to legal challenges concerning protections for transgender students. Nevertheless, some institutions continue to adopt the new measures for pregnant students, even if other Title IX updates are on hold. For instance, the University of North Dakota has implemented policies to direct pregnant students to appropriate resources despite state-level injunctions.
In summary, while the new Title IX regulations significantly enhance support for pregnant and parenting students, further improvements and consistent enforcement across all states are needed to fully address their needs.
