Title IX pregnancy webpage header

Title IX Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees

Big Bend Community College (BBCC) is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff with current, potential, or past pregnancy related conditions.

BBCC’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits students from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities, including pregnancy.

College Staff Obligations

When a student informs any College employee, including confidential employees, of the student’s pregnancy or related conditions, the employee must:

  • Promptly provide the student, verbally or in writing, the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information, and
  • Inform that student that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the student’s equal access to the College’s education program or activity.
  • If the employee reasonably believes that the Title IX Coordinator has already been notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, they are relieved of their responsibility to inform in this instance. Absent information about conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination, employees should not directly inform the Title IX Coordinator of a student’s pregnancy or related conditions.  No College employee shall approach a student unprompted and ask about their pregnancy or related condition or make assumptions about a student’s needs or medical status.

Student Rights

A student who is pregnant or parenting may be provided accommodations so that they are not excluded from any education program or activity. These accommodations are determined through a cooperative process between the Title IX Coordinator and the office of Accommodation and Accessibility Services on a case by case basis to determine reasonable accommodations for the student.

What qualifies under pregnancy or parenting rights?

  • Pregnancy or Related Conditions means:
    • Pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation;
    • Medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; or
    • Recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or related medical conditions.
  • Adoption of a child or placement of a foster child during the first 2 months from the time the child entered the home.

How do I request accommodations?

Students seeking pregnancy or parenting accommodations should contact the Title IX Coordinator at hroffice@bigbend.edu or Accommodation & Accessibility Services (AAS) at 509-793-2027. A staff member will discuss the pregnant or parenting individual’s needs and may ask for documentation that supports the requested adjustments.

What types of accommodations may I request?

Reasonable Modifications means changes to the College’s policies, practices, or procedures as necessary to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to the College’s education program or activity for a student experiencing pregnancy or related conditions.  Reasonable modifications are based on a student’s individualized needs and are determined in consultation with the student.  A modification that the College can demonstrate would fundamentally alter the nature of its education program or activity is not a reasonable modification.  Reasonable modifications may include, but are not limited to:

  • breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom;
  • intermittent absences to attend medical appointments;
  • access to online or homebound education;
  • changes in schedule or course sequence;
  • extensions of time for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations;
  • allowing a student to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby;
  • counseling;
  • changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest);
  • elevator access;
  • voluntary leave of absence, or
  • other changes to policies, practices, or procedures.

Is there a space for students to breastfeed and/or pump breastmilk?

BBCC has a dedicated space for students, employees, and visitors to breastfeed and/or pump breastmilk. The Lactation Room is located on the 2nd floor of Building 1400, adjacent to the Human Resources/Payroll Office.  Please contact Human Resources at 509-793-2026 for additional information.

Employee Rights

Pregnant employees may request certain changes to their working environment to accommodate their pregnancy and health conditions after the birth of the baby, such as the need to breastfeed or express breast milk. For a full description of rights available to employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions refer to BBCC’s Pregnancy Policy. Additionally, through the Family Medical Leave Act and Paid Family and Medical Leave, employee parents are entitled to time off after the birth of a baby, placement of a foster child, or adoption.

How do I request accommodations?

Pregnant and parenting employees seeking accommodation(s) or a leave of absence should contact Human Resources at 509-793-2008. Leaves of absence and some accommodations require medical documentation or other verifying documentation.

What types of accommodations may I request?

  • Leave of absence (consecutive, intermittent, or combination of consecutive and intermittent).
  • Job restructuring including but not limited to modifying a work schedule, job reassignment, changes to a workstation, equipment, and/or remote work options.
  • Frequent, longer, or flexible breaks.
  • Scheduling flexibility.

Is there a space for employees to breastfeed and/or pump breastmilk?

BBCC has a dedicated space for students, employees, and visitors to breastfeed and/or pump breastmilk. The Lactation Room is located on the 2nd floor of Building 1400, adjacent to the Human Resources/Payroll Office.  Please contact Human Resources at 509-793-2026 for additional information.

Contact the Title IX Coordinator

The Title IX /EEO Coordinator can address faculty, staff, and student concerns related to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other actions that fall within the colleges’ obligations under Title IX.

Title IX / EEO Coordinator, Vice President of Human Resources & Labor

Kimberly A. Garza

Building 1400, 2nd Floor, Suite 1449

509-793-2026

hroffice@bigbend.edu