Pregnancy & Parenting

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. The Department’s Title IX regulations prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions in institutions that receive Federal funds.

The regulations make clear that Title IX protects students and employees from
discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, or recovery therefrom.

For employees, Title IX requires that, at minimum, school employees be provided unpaid pregnancy and/or childbirth-related leave for a “reasonable” period of time.  Following your leave, you are entitled to be returned to the same status you had when you left, or to a comparable position.  Under Title IX, you cannot be penalized for your leave with lower pay or loss of promotion opportunities or other privileges. 

How to Request Pregnancy/Parenting Support for a TTU Employee (Staff / Faculty)

• To obtain support for FMLA/Pregnancy Leave, please go to the TTU Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) | Leave site or email Holly Caglar.
• For questions regarding parking accomodation for pregnant employees at TTU, please contact Holly Caglar. 
• If you are an employee (staff / faculty) and need information regarding discrimination or harassment based on sex (including pregnancy), please go to the Office of Equal Opportunity site or call 806.742.3627.

How to Request Title IX Pregnancy/Parenting Support as a Graduate Student

There are four ways in which pregnant or parenting students may request support. These options include:

1. Completing the pregnancy and parenting support form. After receiving the form our Title IX office will reach out to the student to discuss available university resources to help them navigate their pregnancy and parenting. Partners receive support as well if they are enrolled students.

2. Email the student with the attached pregnancy and parenting support postcard. This will provide the student with information on how the University can support them, and it will provide the contact information to our Title IX office. 

3. Call 806-742-7233 or email titleix@ttu.edu indicating the request for pregnancy or parenting support for the student. 

4. Walk-in! Our office is located in SUB 232. 

For Graduate Assistants, Research Assistants, GPTIs etc. who are both students and employees of the University, our Title IX office will provide academic support and inform you of your rights under Title IX. Next, we will connect you to TTU's FMLA/Parental leave contact Holly Caglar. She will review the resources and support provided to your specific employment situation. 

Pregnancy Support at Texas Tech

Title IX protects students who are navigating pregnancy, childbirth, and related outcomes. This includes their partners! 

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the University must:

• Excuse absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.
• Allow students to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before medical leave began, which should include giving the opportunity to make up any work missed while the student was out.
• Ensure that faculty and staff understand the Title IX requirements related to excused absences/medical leave. Faculty may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a missed deadline because of pregnancy or childbirth. If the professor's grading is based in part on class participation or attendance and a student missed class because of pregnancy or childbirth, the student should be allowed to make up the participation or attendance credits they didn't have the chance to earn.
• Provide pregnant students with the same special services it provides to students with temporary medical conditions. This includes homebound instruction/at-home tutoring/independent study, parking accommodation and desk accommodation.
• For parking accommodation for expectant or nursing graduate students, please complete the pregnancy/parenting support form. Staff or Faculty will need to contact Holly Caglar for more information regarding parking accomodation. 

Postpartum Recovery Support

Our office supports students during their postpartum recovery. This includes recovery from not only childbirth, but also loss of pregnancy, false pregnancy, and other medically necessary situations related to pregnancy. The duration of this absence is determined between the student and their healthcare provider. The student must be allowed to return to their same academic standing and may not be academically penalized. There are many supportive measures for pregnant and parenting students, get in contact with our case managers to learn more on how we can support you! 

Resources for TTU Graduate Assistantships, Staff & Faculty

• For TTU Human Resources questions regarding parenting and pregnancy, FMLA or parental leave please contact Holly Caglar at hcaglar@ttu.edu 
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
• FLSA Protections to Pump at Work
• Mother Friendly Workplace
• Staff Caregiver Resources
• Texas Tech Support Resources Program
• Office of Equal Opportunity