Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex — including pregnancy, parenting and all related conditions — in education and in programs and activities that receive federal funding. If you are a pregnant or parenting student, you have the right to stay in school so you can meet your education and career goals. Below are some frequently asked questions from students in postsecondary schools regarding their Title IX rights.

Lactation Stations on Campus

Please contact the Division of Human Resources, Equal Opportunity and Compliance at MSR 320 or (209) 667-3351 for access or to identify other available rooms as needed.

  • Science 1, Room 123A
  • Library, Room 111
  • University Student Center, Room 209

To request access please fill out the Lactation Room Access Request Form and submit it to Human Resources, MSR 320, or scan and email it to compliance@csustan.edu.

Lactation Room Access Request form

Frequently Asked Questions

Title IX requires professors and administrators treat pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability. The University can require a pregnant student to provide a doctor’s certification of fitness to continue in an education program or activity only if the same requirement is imposed on all other students with physical or emotional conditions requiring a doctor’s care. Pregnant students must be provided the same accommodations and support services available to other students with similar medical needs. Your professors or administrators should not tell you that you have to drop out of your classes or academic program or change your educational plans due to your pregnancy. If you have a concern regarding your status as a pregnant or parenting student at Stanislaus State, please contact us immediately. Resources are available for you; just make the call to (209) 667-3351.

Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Your professors must provide you a leave of absence for as long as it is deemed necessary by your medical doctor. At the end of your leave, you must be reinstated to the status you held prior to your leave. After returning from an excused absence, your professors must allow a reasonable amount of time to make up missed assignments and tests. The makeup assignments and tests must be reasonably equivalent to those missed, but need not be identical. If a professor provides specific “points” or other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed due to pregnancy.

Under Title IX, pregnant students are entitled to the same benefits offered to students with other medical conditions, illness or injury.

While your professor may have a strict attendance policy, the University is bound by federal civil rights law. Title IX requires the University to ensure that all faculty and staff comply with the law and do not discriminate against pregnant and parenting students. An individual professor’s policy is not OK if it breaks the law.

Please contact us if you have questions about your professor’s attendance policy as it relates to your pregnancy or parental responsibilities.

Title IX requires the University to provide pregnant students with any special services we provide to students with any other type of temporary disability. Please contact the Disability Resource Services Office for more information.

No. Your program must allow you to continue participating in off-campus programs. If your program provides opportunities to “work in the field,” you cannot be excluded based on your pregnancy. Your professor cannot require a doctor’s note for continued participation unless your professor requires one for all students who have a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor. If they do ask for a note, they cannot second-guess your doctor’s decision.

Title IX requires the University to prevent and address sex-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy. If you experience this sort of treatment, you should seek help immediately. The law prohibits anyone from retaliating against you for filing a complaint or raising a concern. View the EO 1097 Complaint Form (PDF).

You will keep your status as a student for up to one year. If you want to take off more time than your doctor says is medically necessary, please contact the Dean of Students (209) 667-3177.

Updated: August 21, 2023