Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex, and this includes pregnancy and parental status in college educational programs, work and activities. In compliance with Title IX, Mid will not discriminate against any student or employee or exclude any student or employee from its educational programs, work, or activities on the basis of the individual’s actual or potential parental, family, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom. The College provides certain protections and reasonable modifications.
To learn more about Mid’s Pregnancy, Parenting, Nursing Protections Policy, please click on the links below.
Student Pregnancy and Parenting Protections
Employee Pregnancy and Nursing Protections
Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to Reasonable Modifications in order to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to the college’s education programs and activities. Any student seeking Reasonable Modifications must contact Student Accommodation Services to discuss appropriate and available Reasonable Modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request Reasonable Modifications promptly. Reasonable Modifications are voluntary and a student can accept or decline the offered Reasonable Modifications. Please note: not all Reasonable Modifications are appropriate for all situations.
Reasonable Modifications may include
Any employee or applicant for employment seeking reasonable modifications due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition should contact Human Resources to discuss appropriate and available reasonable modifications based on their individual needs. Upon the receipt of a modification request, Human Resources (in collaboration with the employee’s department), will work with the employee in good faith to determine what, if any, reasonable modifications can be provided without undue hardship. Depending on the nature of the modification, a statement from a health care provider may be required to allow the College to determine the precise nature and extent of the employee's restriction and assess potential, reasonable modifications.
Reasonable Modifications may include
Examples of Reasonable Modifications
Visit this webpage for additional information and examples of Reasonable Modifications.
Students and employees who are seeking reasonable modifications due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions are encouraged to reach out as soon as possible so that information, assistance and modifications may be reviewed and implemented, as needed.
Amy Dykhouse
Director of Career Center & Accommodations
1375 South Clare Avenue, Harrison, MI 48625
Office | Harrison Campus, Main Building, Located inside Student Services, Room 106
2600 South Summerton Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Office | Doan 108
(989) 386-6622 x259
adykhouse@midmich.edu
Lori Fassett
AVP of Human Resources
1375 South Clare Avenue, Harrison, MI 48625
Office | Harrison Campus, Main Building, Room 213B
2600 South Summerton Rdoad, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Office | Doan 105
(989) 386-6622 x692
Lfassett1@midmich.edu
When a student (or person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student) informs any college employee (faculty, staff, EDUStaff, contracted employee) of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the employee must promptly provide the student with the contact information for Student Accommodation Services and inform the student that Student Accommodations, with assistance from the Office of College Compliance & Ethics, can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the student’s equal access to the college’s educational programs and activities. To fulfil this requirement, employees can either refer the student to this webpage or provide the student with the contact information for Student Accommodation Services and/or the Office of College Compliance & Ethics, listed above.
No, students are not required to disclose their pregnancy/parenting or related conditions status unless they are seeking support and/or reasonable modifications from the College. Mid is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and accessible environment for all individuals and encourages voluntary sharing of this information, so the College can provide information, assistance, and connections to internal and external resources. Students are encouraged to share information, sooner rather than later, as retroactive modifications may not be available for all circumstances.
Email | accommodations@midmich.edu
Call | (989) 386-6622 x259
Upon submission of the form, a representative from the Office of College Compliance and Ethics will reach out, via email, to provide information about student rights and the College's obligations under Title IX, and connect the student with Student Accommodation Services. Student Accommodation Services will assist the student in developing an individualized reasonable modification plan.
Specific modifications will vary from student to student and are based on individualized need. Examples of reasonable modification include, but are not limited to:
Student Accommodation Services, with assistance from the Title IX Office, will collaborate with the student and faculty to accommodate needs and establish reasonable modification plans.
Absences related to pregnancy or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Depending on the length of the absence and area of instruction, it may be academically necessary for the student to take a leave of absence. The college must provide a leave of absence for a pregnant student for the length of time that is deemed necessary by their medical doctor.
After an excused absence has been coordinated through Student Accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, faculty must allow a reasonable time for the student to make up the missed assignments and tests, regardless of the instructor’s typical makeup assignment policy. Depending on the nature of the course, making up the exact missed assignment might not be feasible. The makeup work does not have to be exactly the same as the missed work but needs to be reasonably equivalent.
No, a student may not be penalized for absences that are known to be due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. An instructor cannot lessen a pregnant student’s grade because of attendance or participation points that the student missed during excused absences due to their pregnancy-related condition. The student must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to regain the missed credit.
No. Faculty cannot ask a student for a doctor’s note or any other proof of pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions. Should a student disclose that they are pregnant or dealing with pregnancy related conditions, the student should be referred to Student Accommodation Services.
Inform the student that they have protections available to them under Title IX. This includes options for reasonable modifications to the college’s programs and activities. These modifications are coordinated through the Office of Student Accommodation Services with oversight from the Title IX Office.
Further, advise the student that they may
Email | accommodations@midmich.edu
Call | (989) 386-6622 x259
Title IX and our college policy requires that all necessary medical absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, should be excused. Faculty should not ask a student directly for medical documentation. Rather, faculty should refer the students to Student Accommodation Services.
Absences related to pregnancy or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Depending on the length of the absence and area of instruction, it may be academically necessary for the student to take a leave of absence. The college must provide a leave of absence for a pregnant student for the length of time that is deemed necessary by their medical doctor.
After an excused absence has been coordinated through Student Accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, faculty must allow a reasonable time for the student to make up the missed assignments and tests, regardless of the instructor’s typical makeup assignment policy. Depending on the nature of the course, making up the exact missed assignment might not be feasible. The makeup work does not have to be exactly the same as the missed work but needs to be reasonably equivalent.
No, a student may not be penalized for absences that are known to be due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. An instructor cannot lessen a pregnant student’s grade because of attendance or participation points that the student missed during excused absences due to their pregnancy-related condition. The student must be afforded a reasonable opportunity to regain the missed credit.
No. Under Title IX, faculty cannot exclude someone from a course or course activities based on their pregnancy. If there are potentially dangerous activities or chemicals utilized within a course, the student should be instructed to consult with their medical care provider to determine what is safe/unsafe for participation within their pregnancy. Faculty, with assistance from Student Accommodation Services, should determine when alternative assignments are necessary.
Yes. Pregnant students cannot be excluded from college-related, off-campus programs or activities or college sponsored programs and events.
No. Faculty cannot ask a student for a doctor’s note or any other proof of pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions. Should a student disclose that they are pregnant or dealing with pregnancy related conditions, the student should be referred to Student Accommodation Services.
For additional questions and assistance contact
Student Accommodation Services
(989) 386-6622 x259 | adykhouse@midmich.edu
College Compliance & Ethics
(989) 386-6638 | sos@midmich.edu
College Compliance and Ethics reviews concerns related to discrimination and harassment based on sex. This includes discrimination and harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth, parental or family status. Any student or employee who believes their rights under Title IX have been violated is encouraged to file a report with the College. Reports may be submitted through MidCares, using the Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Form. This is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year.
1375 South Clare Avenue, Harrison, MI 48625
Office | Harrison Campus, Main Building, Business Services Suite, Room 205
2600 South Summerton Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Office | Center for Liberal Arts & Business, Room 168C (located inside Library & Learning Services)
(989) 386-6638 | sos@midmich.edu