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. Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Please review the information below to learn more about protections and modifications provided by the UAB Title IX Office.
Pregnancy or related conditions include:
- 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.
Your Rights
- Must be allowed the opportunity to attend classes regardless of pregnancy or parenting status.
- Absences due to pregnancy or childbirth must be excused as long as it is deemed medically necessary by the treating physician. Documentation should be provided to the Title IX Office. See Title IX registration and request for accommodations. (Childcare is NOT the same thing as childbirth. The College cannot normally excuse absences due to lack of childcare. The Title IX Coordinator CAN provide you with area resources and supports to help you locate services for parents struggling to access childcare.)
- Allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began, which should include giving you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out. Ensure that faculty members understand the Title IX requirements related to excused absences/medical leave. Your faculty members may not refuse to allow you to submit work after a deadline you missed because of pregnancy or childbirth. If your teacher’s grading is based in part on class participation or attendance and you missed class because of pregnancy or childbirth, you should be allowed to make up the participation or attendance credits you did not have the chance to earn. Most times this is accomplished by assigning you an alternate assignment.
- Protect you from harassment based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions. Comments that could constitute prohibited harassment include making sexual comments or jokes about your pregnancy, calling you sexually charged names, spreading rumors about your sexual activity, and making sexual propositions or gestures, if the comments rise to the threshold that it interferes with your ability to benefit from or fully participate in your school’s program.
- Universities cannot end or reduce merit or need-based scholarships based on pregnancy. If you stay in good standing in your program, you must be allowed to keep your scholarship.
- Access to lactation centers. See the interactive map.
Reasonable Modifications
A reasonable modification under Title IX is an adjustment to a task, environment, curriculum, or process that allows an individual to participate in an activity equitably and meaningfully. Reasonable modifications must not fundamentally alter the program or activity or unduly burden the recipient. Reasonable modifications are provided as appropriate, as reasonably available, or deemed medically necessary by the treating healthcare provider.
Requesting Reasonable Modifications
If you are interested in receiving modifications for pregnancy or conditions related to pregnancy:
- Register online with the Title IX Office.
- Schedule an intake appointment with the Title IX Office to develop an accommodation plan around your pregnancy or related condition by contacting us at 205-996-1340 or
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Guidance for Informing Professors About Absences Due to Pregnancy
Before talking to your professors about your pregnancy and/or related conditions, contact the Title IX Office. The Title IX Office can assist you with developing an academic plan and communicating with your professors.
Academic Plan
You are encouraged to review the course syllabus.
The academic plan should include your anticipated absences, course material completion, setting reasonable deadlines to complete missed work due to medically necessary leave, and preferred communication for absences due to medical appointments or illnesses related to pregnancy.
Absences after Delivery
Two weeks before the end of your medically necessary leave, contact the Title IX Office with your expected return date. The Title IX Office will assist with communicating with your professors.
Returning to Class
At the end of your medically necessary leave schedule a meeting with your professors to discuss the coursework you missed, updating deadlines for making up missed assignments including test or quizzes.