Pregnant and Parenting Students
Attending and completing college can be difficult for anyone. Students who are pregnant and/or parenting face additional obstacles to completing their degree. Central Lakes College is committed to supporting their student parents’ success and well-being.
If you are a student who is pregnant or a student who is the primary caregiver for a child 18 or younger, please connect with our Student Parent Support Coordinator to see how we can help you achieve your academic goals. As a student who is pregnant and/or the primary caregiver for a child(ren) 18 and under, you have certain rights and protections under Title IX.
Central Lakes College supports and accommodates pregnant and parenting students under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (June2013) from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.
What is Title IX?
Title IX, clause of the 1972 Federal Education Amendments, is a law that states no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
How Does Title IX apply to Pregnant and Parenting Students?
The Title IX statute prohibits discrimination based on gender in all educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. This means colleges and universities cannot discriminate against a student because of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions and must give students the same access to school programs and educational opportunities given to all students. This law applies to female and male parenting students experiencing a birth, adoption or a new foster child.
Pregnant and parenting students are entitled to all programs and activities sponsored by the College. Departments and units within the College must not discriminate against a student based on the following:
- Pregnancy,
- Childbirth,
- Miscarriage,
- Termination of pregnancy, and recovery from any of these conditions
- Special circumstances impacting parenting
Frequently Asked Questions
Do CLC faculty have to excuse absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, recovery from childbirth or other related conditions?
Yes. Title IX requires Central Lakes College instructors to excuse a student’s absences due to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, for as long as the student’s health care provider says the absences are medically necessary*. When a student returns to the college, they should be reinstated to the status they had before the leave, which includes giving her the opportunity to make up any missed work. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Title IX coordinator, Deputy Title IX coordinator, or designee to discuss appropriate and available reasonable modifications based on their individual needs.
Disclaimer* Modifications that result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity, or an undue financial or administrator burden will not be provided.
Can pregnant or parenting students make up work they missed while absent from class?
Yes. Students who miss class for pregnancy-related reasons, childbirth or a related condition can make up missed work as well as any points lost for participation and/or attendance. Faculty should give students the information required to complete make-up work as if they were in class, discuss deadlines for make-up work, and give them at least as much time to complete each assignment as other students had. Make-up options due to absences for parenting students with children 18 or younger is appropriate. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Title IX coordinator, Deputy Title IX coordinator, or designee to discuss appropriate and available reasonable modifications based on their individual needs.
Disclaimer* Modifications that result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity, or an undue financial or administrator burden will not be provided.
What other options can the college offer to a pregnant or parenting student who will miss substantial amounts of a course?
The college may offer student alternatives to making up missed work such as withdrawing and appealing or assigning an incomplete grade or other options based on the conversation between the student, faculty member, and the Title IX coordinator.
What are some examples of modified academic responsibilities that may be available for a student while she is pregnant and attending CLC
Modified academic responsibilities vary depending on the student’s situation and are determined through communication between Accessibility Services Director/Pregnant and Parenting Navigator and the faculty member. It could include modifications to the physical environment such as being a safe distance from hazardous substances, accessible seating, larger desk, temporary elevator access, and/or allowing frequent trips to the restroom because of a pregnancy.
Can instructors prevent pregnant students from being involved in certain lab experiments?
Lab involvements by a pregnant student are determined on a case-by-case basis. If a student’s health care provider says it is safe for a student to do experiments, faculty should comply with that decision. If a health care provider says it is unsafe, faculty should allow the student to make up the assignment later.
Must the college provide additional services for parenting students such as childcare or tutoring?
No, but some services are available on campus to all students such as tutoring in the Tutoring Centers.
Can a student take a semester off and still keep student status or scholarships?
Not necessarily. Student loan borrowers should contact the financial aid office to determine the impact of a leave. Recipients of any type of financial aid including grants, loans and scholarships should discuss the impact of taking fewer credits with the financial aid office staff.
Can CLC take back a scholarship when they find out a student is pregnant?
Continuation of a student’s scholarship, fellowship, or similar college-sponsored funding during the leave term will depend on the student’s registration status and the policies of the funding program regarding registration status. Students will not be negatively impacted or forfeit future eligibility for their scholarship or similar college-supported funding by taking leave under this policy.
What support is available to those who want to breastfeed/chestfeed their infants or pump milk?
Spaces are available on both the Brainerd and Staples campuses for students, staff and faculty to breastfeed or pump milk in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible. Accessibility services/ Student Parent Support Coordinator will provide information about lactation spaces available on the Brainerd and Staples campuses.
Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex. What are CLC’s non-discrimination expectations for college employees toward pregnant and parenting students?
Faculty and staff cannot interfere with students taking leave, seeking reasonable academic adjustments, or otherwise exercising their rights under this policy. Employees cannot retaliate against a student for exercising the rights articulated by this policy, including imposing or threatening negative educational outcomes because student requests leave or accommodations, files a complaint, or exercises their rights under the policy. Faculty and staff shall not require a student to take a leave of absence or withdraw from or limit their studies due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions.
How can the Student Parent Support Coordinator help support students?
- Can get you information about pregnancy and parenting resources
- Connect you to supportive services and resources on and off campus
- Facilitate connection to the Pregnant and Parenting Student Navigator to assist with reasonable accommodations
- Provide individual support
Helpful Tips
- Ask your school for help—meet with your school’s Pregnant and Parenting Coordinator or Advisor regarding what your school can do to support you in continuing your education.
- Keep notes about your pregnancy-related absences, any instances of harassment, and your interactions with school officials about your pregnancy, and immediately report problems to CLC’s Student Parent Support Coordinator and/or the Title IX Coordinator.
- If you feel your school is discriminating against you because you are pregnant or parenting, you may file a complaint with:
- Central Lakes College Student Compliant Process—Contact Mary Sam, Title IX Coordinator, Phone: 218-855-8159 or Email: sam@clcmn.edu
Student Complaint Process – Central Lakes College
- the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at (800) 421-3481 or at ocr@ed.gov
Who to Contact
Brainerd and Staples Campuses
Email: parenting @clcmn.edu
Student Parent Support Coordinator
Jody Kramer
Phone: 218-855-8187
Email: jody.kramer@clcmn.edu
Brainerd office: E 132
Staples Office: F 121
Pregnant &Parenting Navigator
Megan Bistodeau
Phone: 218-855-8175
Email: megan.bistodeau@clcmn.edu
Brainerd Office: E 138
Title IX Compliance Officer
Mary Sam
Phone: 218-855-8159
Email: mary.sam@clcmn.edu
Brainerd Office: E 204A
Social Worker
Kellee Rossina
Phone: 218-855-8024
Email: kellee.rossina@clcmn.edu
Brainerd Office: E 204
Other Resources
Parenting & Child Development Education | Crow Wing County, MN – Official Website
Parenting Education – Group Homes – Early Education – Child Wellness