Pregnant and Parenting Students FAQ for Students

What proof or evidence do I need to show that I am pregnant or parenting?

You do not need to provide proof or evidence. The only thing we might request is supporting medical documentation for more specific accommodations, such as being placed on full bedrest and needing to attend classes remotely.

What are examples of accommodations that I can request?

• Excused absences for pregnancy-related concerns such as doctor’s appointments, pregnancy-related conditions, etc.
• Excused absences for parenting students who need to take their children to medical appointments or take care of their sick children
• Opportunity to utilize the various lactation rooms around campus
• During class, the option to:
  • Take breaks
  • Eat
  • Go outside to walk around or stretch
  • Request a more spacious desk or seating arrangement
  • And more
• Academically:
  • Extensions on deadlines
  • Opportunity to reschedule exams
  • Potential for alternative assignments
  • Option to take an Incomplete
  • And more

What if I have a specific accommodation request tied to medical documentation from my doctor?

Provide us with this medical information (or your doctor can too). We will review and, if the documentation meets criteria and the request is reasonable, we will let the professor(s) know. We do not provide any medical information and simply relay the request per the doctor’s orders.

If I need to take a leave of absence or temporarily stop out, will I lose my scholarship?

If you withdraw, take a leave of absence, or experience a temporary stop‑out due to pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting‑related circumstances, you may request to have your scholarship reinstated. The Office of Student Financial Aid reviews these situations on a case‑by‑case basis. Students are encouraged to contact Financial Aid directly to explain their circumstances and provide any supporting documentation.

Can professors say no to an accommodation request?

While professors do have to work with us, they are not required to provide the exact accommodation requested if it does not work within the course and scope of their curriculum or would pose an undue hardship.

Can I attend classes remotely?

If someone is requesting this due to, for example, being put on bedrest by their doctor, our office will require supporting medical documentation from a relevant medical provider. We will then review that documentation and, if it meets all criteria, we can relay the request to the professors. As mentioned in the previous question, while professors are required to work with us, they do not have to provide accommodations that would cause undue hardship. So for example, requesting that the professor of a face-to-face class create a dedicated online module for a student would not be an accommodation we could mandate. However, a professor would have to provide all materials etc. from the classes and, if it works for them, they could also assist a student with recording the classes or having them accessible via Teams.

Will my professors have to know that I am pregnant?

Because we are the department that provides Pregnant and Parenting Student Accommodations, professors will have to know that you are entitled to six-week postpartum leave. You are entitled to these accommodations based on your membership in a protected class under Title IX, and we have to be clear about that in our accommodation language. We also communicate to professors that this is need-to-know information and not to be made public.

Is there a lactation room in the Bayou Building?

Yes! It is on the third floor, 32 LR. Between a bathroom and the Accounting Office. It is first come first served. Other lactation rooms on campus are located below:

• Pearland Health Science and Classrooms Bldg. - Room 218R
• Recreation and Wellness Center - Room 253
• STEM - 1100LR
• TMC - 1406

Many questions that we receive are taken on a case-by-case basis. Even if you see your question here, please still feel free to reach out to us!