Pregnancy & Related Conditions

It is the goal of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) to provide students with the opportunity to succeed in their chosen field of study. This includes students who are experiencing pregnancy or related conditions. UTC understands that you have a lot on your mind. In the weeks and months ahead, as you work with the Office of Title IX Compliance and with your professors around specific needs and/or missed classes, feel free to use the information on this page.

As is outlined in UTC’s Policy on Educational Adjustments for Students Experiencing Pregnancy or Related Conditions (“Policy”) and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, students will not be discriminated against on the basis of a disclosed pregnancy or related conditions. This includes discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. As a result, a student may be provided educational adjustments so they can access and participate in their educational program or activity. Adjustments are available through the Office of Title IX Compliance.

In the event of certain pregnancy-related medical complications, the Disability Resource Center (DRC) office may also assist in providing accommodations/ academic adjustments.

What Are My Rights?

Discrimination against any student or exclusion of any student from participation in any part of a UTC educational program or activity on the basis of a student's pregnancy or related conditions is prohibited, except as otherwise provided under UTC’s policy. UTC educational programs and activities include, but are not limited to, classes, extracurricular activities, internships, fellowships, clinics, and labs.   

To ensure that your rights under Title IX are protected, UTC must:

  • Allow you to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities even though you are experiencing pregnancy or a related condition. This means that you can still participate in advanced placement and honors classes, school clubs, sports, honor societies, student leadership opportunities, and other activities, like after-school programs operated at the school.
  • Allow you to choose whether you want to participate in alternative instructional programs or classes for pregnant students. You can participate if you want to, but your school cannot pressure you to do so. To the extent that UTC offers alternative educational programs or activities for students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions, the programs or activities must be comparable to those offered to other students.
  • Allow you to participate in classes and extracurricular activities even though you are pregnant and not require you to submit a doctor’s note unless your school requires a doctor’s note from all students who have a physical or emotional condition requiring treatment by a doctor. Your school also must not require a doctor’s note from you after you have been hospitalized for childbirth unless it requires a doctor’s note from all students who have been hospitalized for other conditions.
  • Provide you with reasonable educational adjustments, like a larger desk, elevator access, or allowing you to make frequent trips to the restroom, when necessary, because of your pregnancy.
  • Your absences must be excused regardless of a program or faculty members’ absence policies, as long as your physician deems the absences medically necessary.
  •  You must be allowed to return to the same academic and extracurricular status you had before any medically necessary absence(s) for the pregnancy or related condition(s).

What Should I Expect?

You should expect to obtain reasonable educational adjustments to maintain access to the educational environment. You are expected to be proactive in requesting adjustments and willing to work with the Office of Title IX Compliance for appropriate adjustments. It is important to complete the Educational Adjustments Request Form early to allow time for processing and implementation.

  • Reasonable Educational Adjustments – UTC must provide reasonable adjustments to the program or activity for the student that is responsive to the student's pregnancy or related condition. Some examples of reasonable educational adjustments may include:
    • a larger desk
    • elevator access
    • breaks during class, as needed
    • rescheduling tests or exams
    • excusing absences
    • submitting work after a deadline missed
    • providing alternatives to make up missed work
    • providing private areas for breastfeeding
  • Excused Absences – Students won't be penalized for missing class due to medically necessary absences related to pregnancy or related conditions, as long as they provide proper documentation from their doctor. To get this support, fill out the Educational Adjustments Request Form and submit it to the Office of Title IX Compliance.
  • Make-Up Work – Students who come back to class after a medical leave or absence will be able to resume their academic standing as if they had never taken the leave or been absent. They'll also have the chance to catch up on any work they missed during their time away, including participation points. Furthermore, any deadlines that were missed because of the leave or absence will be extended so that students can submit their work.
  • Withdrawal/Incomplete – Students who may want to withdraw or receive an Incomplete in classes should talk to the Office of Title IX Compliance to see how it might impact their academic progress. Also, students who get financial aid should meet with the Office of Financial Aid to find out how dropping classes could affect their aid.

Students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions are expected to meet the same academic standards and achieve the learning goals set for their courses. They should collaborate with the Office of Title IX Compliance to identify reasonable educational adjustments that enable them to complete their coursework and meet course objectives.

How Do I Request Adjustments?

To request adjustments for pregnancy or related conditions, you should submit the Educational Adjustments Request Form to the Office of Title IX Compliance. The office will review the request and meet with you to discuss your needs. Documentation from a doctor is required to support the requested adjustments. Documentation can be scanned using the Genius Scan app (available for both iPhone and Android) and submitted with the completed form.

Other Important Information

If you feel the university is discriminating against you because you are pregnant or parenting, you may file a complaint:

  • Using UTC's internal Title IX grievance procedures by contacting Anitra Barrett, UTC's Title IX Coordinator, via phone at (423) 425-4255 or email at [email protected] or
  • With the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), even if you have not filed a complaint with the university. If you file a complaint with OCR, ensure you do so within 180 days of the discrimination.

Title IX Coordinator – The Title IX Coordinator coordinates the University's efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. The Title IX Coordinator oversees the University’s response to all reports or complaints of incidents of discrimination based on sex. For more information or to contact the Title IX Coordinator, see https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/title-ix.

Disability Resource Center - This office is responsible for offering comprehensive services to students with disabilities. Some pregnancies may result in health conditions that may exacerbate existing disabilities. Some pregnancy complications may develop into qualifying disabilities. For more information or to contact the DRC Office, see https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/disability-resource-center.

Financial Aid - For questions about how extended absences, withdrawals, and other matters might impact Financial Aid, see https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/financial-aid-and-scholarships.

Lactation spaces

Lactation spaces at UTC are designated areas designed to provide nursing mothers with a private, comfortable, and clean environment to express milk or breastfeed their babies. These spaces are important for supporting students, faculty, and staff who are also parents, helping them to balance academic or work responsibilities with breastfeeding or pumping needs. The spaces are open during regular operating hours of the university. The features and availability of lactation spaces can vary depending on the campus location, but here are common elements:

Private and Quiet:
Lactation spaces are private rooms that provide a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for nursing or pumping. This is especially important for those who need to express milk and prefer to do so in a secluded environment, free from distractions and public view. Each space has a sound machine for additional privacy. 

Comfortable Seating:
These rooms are often equipped with recliners that allow for a relaxed position while breastfeeding or pumping. They also have small tables to hold supplies or personal items and reading materials.

Refrigeration for Milk Storage:
A small refrigerator for storing expressed milk safely. This allows nursing mothers to store their milk until they can take it home. There are individual breastmilk bags, clear plastic containers, and Sharpies (to label the bags) available for use.  

Electric Power Outlets:
Lactation spaces have electric outlets and USB ports for powering breast pumps or other devices. Some may also offer pumps to borrow, although it's important to check availability and sanitation procedures.

Signage and Accessibility:
Lactation spaces are marked with signage and are located in convenient areas on campus. They are accessible to students, faculty, and staff members.

Additional Amenities:
Depending on the location, some lactation spaces offer additional amenities like a sink for washing hands and breast pump parts, wipes, hand sanitizer, soft lighting for a calming atmosphere, or even a comfortable chair for accompanying children.

These spaces are part of the broader effort by the university to create inclusive, family-friendly environments that support the well-being and academic success of students, staff, and faculty. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Title IX Compliance at (423) 425-4255. 

Locations:

  • University Center - First Floor, Room 114 (Currently closed due to UC renovations)
  • Engineering and Computer Science, Room 222
  • 540 McCallie, State Office Building, Room 373
  • UTC Arena, 2nd Floor-Athletics Academic Enhancement Area (Staff only)


Additional Resources

Title IX

Office of Title IX Compliance