Title IX - Pregnancy Services
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status - in educational programs and activities. This policy pertains to student rights under Title IX Pregnancy Services and to the respective course of action the student may choose to elect.
Qualifying students expecting academic relief under Title IX Pregnancy Services must disclose medical need to Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Pregnancy Services.*
Students who are requesting services related to pregnancy must disclose their need to their respective instructor and submit a signed diagnostic statement to the Temple College Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Pregnancy Services prior to or immediately upon learning of medical need. The Temple College Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Pregnancy Services will send a form letter to the student’s instructor(s) outlining the specific guidelines as related to the current function impact stated in the signed diagnostic statement. The Title IX Pregnancy Services form letter is only applicable for the time deemed necessary by the student’s treating health care professional. Please note that students who do not disclose until after a medical need determination has been made by the treating professional will not qualify for retroactive services.
The signed diagnostic statement on letterhead from the treating health care professional must include the following information:
- Diagnosis – date of onset, end date of services, original diagnosis, and description of present symptoms.
- A description of the current functional impact on the student within the academic setting.
- A description of the expected prognosis.
- Credentials of the diagnosing professional including certification, licensure, professional training.
Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Pregnancy Services, Director of Retention – 254-298-8328, OCC RM 1473
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act 2008
Students who are pregnant are not considered disabled by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act 2008, and Temple College is not obligated to provide accommodations to students with non-chronic impairments that last less than six months (28 CFR 35.108(b) and 28 CFR 36.105(b)).
However, if the pregnant student is diagnosed with a pregnancy-related impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, the student may qualify for educational accommodations under Title II of the ADAA (2008). Pregnant students with such an impairment must disclose their need and submit the diagnostic statement to the Temple College Coordinator of Student Accommodations immediately upon learning of medical need. Students that do not disclose until after returning from medical leave will not qualify for retroactive services.
Title II Coordinator for Educational Accommodations, Coordinator of Student Accommodations – 254-298-8335, OCC RM 1450 A
Appeal Process
If the student feels the decision to grant or not grant services is not satisfactory, the student may appeal the decision. The student must present in writing to the Vice President, Educational Services their reason(s) for the appeal. The appeal must be made within 5 business days after the decision made by the Temple College Title IX Deputy Coordinator for Pregnancy Services.
A. Final Appeals Procedure
- The Vice-President, Educational Services is the final institutional authority on appeals.
- The Vice-President must issue a decision within ten working days after the receipt of the appeal by the grievant.
- No new information may be introduced unless the parties can show cause as to why it was not introduced at the hearing.
B. Time Extensions
- Any time limits set by this procedure may be extended by mutual consent of the grievant and the respondent and must be made in writing.
- In the event any of the days falls on a College holiday, the extension will be the same number of days as the holiday.
C. Other Courses of Action
The grievant may also file a complaint of Sexual Violence or Sexual Misconduct with the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education [1200 Main Tower, Suite 2260, Dallas, TX 75202] at the same time, during, or after use of this appeal procedure. Such complaints must be filed in writing no later than 180 days after the occurrence of the possible incident.
Grievance Procedures
If the student feels they have been discriminated against, there is a separate process that must be initiated. The Grievance Procedures policy is located in the Student Handbook on the Temple College website. Specific guidelines for initiating the process are contained within that policy.
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