Students Navigating Pregnancy or Parenting

Towson University is committed to ensuring that students who are pregnant, who are experiencing pregnancy-related conditions, or who provide care to or custody over a child receive equal access to education, resources and support.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination, which includes discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions. Maryland Code Ann., Educ. Art. §15-140, similarly prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in any State institution of higher learning.

In accordance with applicable federal and state law, TU prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender, and provides reasonable temporary modifications for students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions.

Key Terms to Know

Pregnancy or Related Conditions

The current, past, or potential presence of any of the following:

pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation
recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation
medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation

Pregnant and Parenting Student

A TU student who is currently pregnant, or who cares for, has custody of, or is raising a child.

Reasonable Accommodations

Changes made to support your continued participation in classes and academic programs. These are defined in TU Policy for Providing Reasonable Accommodations to Individuals with Disabilities 06-21.00 and University System of Maryland Policy VI-1.60 Section C.8 (Policy on Sex Discrimination).

Referral Services

On- and off-campus resources available to support students navigating pregnancy or related conditions and parenting students.

Support of Students Navigating Pregnancy or Related Conditions

The ADA Coordinator serves as a resource for students who may need reasonable accommodations while navigating pregnancy or related conditions. The ADA Coordinator can be contacted at ADA AT_TOWSON or 410-704-0203.

Submit. Students can voluntarily disclose pregnancy or related conditions to request resources and reasonable accommodations by completing the Pregnancy or Related Conditions Modification (for Students) Form. Select Pregnancy or Related Condition Modifications (for Prospective and Current TU Students) as the first required Field. Attach documentation, if available (e.g., ultrasound, due dates, or doctor’s notes). Note: if faculty or staff become aware of a student navigating Pregnancy or Related Conditions, they should provide the student with the link to the form.
Review. Typically, within two business days, a member of OIIE will reach out to a student to schedule an intake meeting.
Meet. During the intake meeting, OIIE will provide an overview of available resources and the reasonable accommodation process.
Implement. Following the intake meeting with OIIE, correspondence providing instruction for reasonable accommodations will be emailed to the student and appropriate TU offices, faculty or staff who have a need to know such information.

Accessibility and Disability Services for Pregnant Students

TU's Accessibility and Disability Services (ADS) serves as a central resource for the campus community on disability-related procedures, services and accommodations.

Pregnancy itself is not considered a disability, and not all pregnancies result in a disability. However, medical conditions that result from pregnancy may meet the definition of a temporary medical disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. ADS can be contacted at TUADS AT_TOWSON or 410-704-2683.

Support for Pregnant Student Athletes

The ADA Coordinator and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Athletics will coordinate to support student athletes navigating pregnancy or related conditions.

The Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Athletics will:

ensure the pregnant student athlete is the primary decision-maker regarding their participation in athletic programs, so long as it is medically safe
offer the same modifications that are offered to student athletes with temporary medical conditions
create a supportive, safe environment free of external pressures and stereotypes surrounding pregnancy or related conditions and athletics
provide information about the NCAA “red shirt” process when requested by the student athlete.

The Athletics Compliance Office can be independently contacted at 410-704-3573 to assist student athletes through NCAA compliance matters.

Support for Student Parents

Student Outreach and Support (SOS) serves as a resource to promote parenting students’ success by connecting them with university and community resources. SOS can be contacted at sos AT_TOWSON or 410-704-4462.

Submit. Parenting students can voluntarily complete the Student Outreach and Support Form to request parenting support, referral services and resources. Students should attach any supporting documentation. Note: faculty and staff may submit the report form on behalf of a student who requests their assistance in completing the support form.
Review. Typically, within 48 hours, SOS reviews submissions and contacts students. Students can choose not to respond to an SOS contact.
Support. SOS helps students navigate challenges and connects them with ongoing resources and referral services.

Student Parent Services CCAMPIS Program is a program that reduces barriers for student parents and supports academic success, as well as other referral services. Pregnant and parenting students who may qualify can voluntarily complete the application to receive a variety of services that may include parent starter kits, parenting workshops, academic assistance, textbook loans, or childcare subsidies.

Campus Resources

Lactation Spaces

TU lactation rooms provide a private, secure, clean space for chestfeeding and breastfeeding. They are available to all students, faculty, staff, spouses and domestic partners at the following campus locations:

7400 York Road, Room 2103
Administration Building, Room 115B (obtain the key from AD114)
Burdick Hall, Room 127
College of Liberal Arts, Room 2231
Cook Library, Room 527
Enrollment Services, Room 105D
Health Professions, Room 4213
Psychology, Room 506
Science Complex, Room 2155
University Union, Room 253
Van Bokkelen Hall, Room 009
West Village Commons, Room 320

Family Study Room

Family Study Room is a space located at Cook Library, Floor 2, CK203, meant for caregivers to stay with their children. There are no on-site childcare or drop-off services included. Minors under 12 years of age must always be accompanied by an adult while in the library. A private Lactation Pod is adjacent to this space.

Basic Needs Hub

Basic Needs Hub is a space that connects the university community to critical resources supporting basic needs security including food, clothing, access to academic tools, and a peer-to-peer benefits assistance program.

Counseling Center

Counseling Center provides solution-focused support in an expanded variety of ways, including counseling, workshops, groups, and peer support.

Health Center

Health Center provides a range of wellness and health services.

External Resources

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - helps eligible low-income households buy the food they need for good health
Temporary Cash Assistance (TANF) - provides cash assistance to eligible families with dependent children when available resources do not fully address the family’s needs
Medical Assistance and CHIP - uses Federal and State funds to ensure that all Maryland’s children have medical insurance. The program provides full health benefits for children under the age of 19, and pregnant women of any age who meet the income guidelines.
Child Care Scholarship Program - helps eligible families in Maryland pay for high-quality childcare and early education programs
Family Support Center Network - provides free, educational and health-related services to parents and their children aged birth through three for 14 counties including Baltimore County
Parent Resources (Maryland Department of Human Services) - provides resources for Maryland parents and families
Adoption and Guardianship (Maryland Department of Human Services) - provides information and services on out-of-home care, adoption, or guardianship
Safe Haven - allows a mother or responsible adult to surrender a newborn without the risk of arrest or prosecution. Under the Safe Haven program, a newborn can be surrendered at a designated facility if they are 2 months or younger and unharmed.
Children and Maternal Health and Wellness (Baltimore County Government) - provides services to ensure the health and safety of women, infants and children in Baltimore County
Baltimore Healthy Start - promotes health and wellness by providing expectant, and new mothers and their families with the health care and resources they need to nurture their children. Operating one full-service community center and three satellite locations in Baltimore City.
Parent Education (GBMC HealthCare) - offers a full-range of classes and services to help prepare every family for their newest addition
Pediatrics (University of Maryland Children's Hospital) - provides health care services for children from birth until age 21
Pediatric Services (GBMC HealthCare) - offers basic well child services, such as immunizations and physicals in addition to emergent care and specialized inpatient and neonatal intensive care

Reporting Alleged Discrimination

TU's Policy Prohibiting Discrimination (06-01-00) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including pregnancy-related medical conditions).

How to report

Submit a Hate/Bias/NonDiscrimination Incident Report to the Office of Equity Compliance (OEC)
Email oec AT_TOWSON
Call 410-704-2020

Reports are handled under TU's non-discrimination procedures.

Filing a report under TU’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination does not preclude students from filing a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. Students should consult the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) web site for the most current information.