RESOURCES
Title IX protects individuals who are nursing from being forced to choose between school and breastfeeding. Employers are required to provide a place other than a bathroom that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public. We have designated spaces for both student and employee use on the Pasco and Richland campus. More information on CBC’s lactation rooms can be found at: https://www.columbiabasin.edu/i-am/current-hawk/student-resources/lactation-rooms/index.html.
Below are some links that you may review for further information:
- Office of Civil Rights Know Your Rights:http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201306-title-ix.html (For Pregnant and Parenting Students)
- Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant & Parenting Students Handbook: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/pregnancy.pdf
FAQS
If a student experiences barriers to accessing their education due to pregnancy or a related condition, they are encouraged to speak with their instructor if they feel comfortable doing so. If the student prefers not to speak directly with their instructor, they may contact the Title IX Office at titleixFREECOLUMBIA_BASIN.
If a student shares that they are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are experiencing a related medical condition, thank them for sharing and respond with care and flexibility.
Pregnancy and related conditions are protected under Title IX, which means the student must be allowed to continue their education free from discrimination and with access to reasonable adjustments as needed.
You have two important options for support:
- Provide reasonable modifications directly.
Faculty and staff may offer reasonable modifications — such as flexibility with attendance, assignment deadlines, or participation requirements — without needing to involve the Title IX Office, if the student’s needs are straightforward and can be easily accommodated.
Examples include allowing a student to make up missed work, offering a larger desk
or seating near an exit, or providing short breaks during class.
These modifications should mirror the flexibility you would offer to any student with
a temporary medical condition.
2. Refer to the Title IX Office for additional support.
If the student’s situation requires longer-term or more formal adjustments, or if you are unsure what is reasonable, connect the student with the Title IX Office. The office can help coordinate accommodations across classes and ensure the student receives consistent support.
Remember:
- You do not need to request medical documentation.
- Always listen with empathy and respect the student’s privacy.
- The goal is to help the student remain successful in their coursework while balancing their health needs.
In the past, there has been some confusion by the designation of “parenting” as if it means it applies to the obligations of parenthood, rather than the physical or physiological aspect of being pregnant. Pregnancy leave is associated with the medical necessity for the leave based on the pregnancy. This does not mean children are allowed in the classroom or that a student (mother or father) is excused from class for childcare, bonding or other non-pregnancy related leave. Your attendance policies are otherwise unaffected, and as always you may use your discretion to excuse absences for students with child-related issues as you deem appropriate.
If you want to request a consultation or clarification, please email the Title IX Coordinator's office at titleix@columbiabasin.edu
No. Students have complete autonomy when choosing who they want to disclose their pregnancy (or any health related condition) with. If the CBC employee needs support in a situation, they should contact their resource(s) without sharing or forwarding the students name.
Yes, Title IX requires a school to excuse a student’s absence(s) due to pregnancy or related conditions; including recovery from childbirth, for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absence medically necessary. When they return, they must be reinstated to the status they held when the leave began, which should include giving them the opportunity to make up any missed work. The professor may offer the student alternatives to making up missed work such as allowing the student to take an incomplete for later course completion.
A school cannot require a student to provide certification of fitness to participate in an education program or activity unless the same requirement is imposed on all other students participating or the certification of fitness is necessary for the participation. Please contact the Title IX Coordinators office 509-542-4740 (HR Main Line). If a pregnancy-related disability occurs, the student should contact Disability Support Services at 509-542-4412.Yes. Under Title IX, the college must allow students to make up any work missed because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Students should be given the same opportunity to make up assignments, tests, or participation points as they would for any other excused medical absence.
The college does not require a doctor’s note to request these adjustments. However, students are encouraged to communicate with their instructors as soon as possible to make arrangements for completing missed work.
No. Professors can set reasonable attendance and makeup work policies, but those policies must comply with federal law. Under Title IX, the college must ensure that students are not penalized or treated unfairly because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
This means that if a student misses class, needs to make up work, or requires adjustments due to pregnancy or a related condition, faculty must provide the same flexibility and support they would offer for any other temporary medical condition or disability.
Not necessarily – it depends on the leave policy at the college. If they want to take off more time than the doctor says is medically necessary, the student will need to consult the college’s non-medical leave policy. The Vice Presidents office of Student Service will work through any financial aid issues resulting from leaves that may result in withdrawal or leave for a quarter or more.
With that being said, the College must look at all potential options to help support the student keep their academic standing with the college.
1. Breaks for lactation, breastfeeding, health needs
2. Intermittent absences for medical appointments
3. Access to remote education
4. Changes in schedule or sequence
5. Time extensions
6. Rescheduling of tests/exams
7. Allowing sit or stand
8. Carry or keep water nearby
9. Counseling
10. Changes in physical space or supplies
11. Elevator access
12. or other changes to polices, practices, or procedures if necessary.
