Skip to Content
Enroll Now myClarkState
College Life
Title IX
Pregnant and Parenting
Pregnant and Parenting Accommodation Procedures

Pregnant and Parenting Accommodation Procedures

Students can reach out to the Office of Accessibility Services (“OAS”) to request Title IX accommodations as a result of medical needs due to pregnancy or childbirth at any point during pregnancy or post-partum period by completing the Title IX Accommodation Request Form. Students may not be aware of their rights; therefore, it is the responsibility of faculty or staff to inform them and direct those who are asking for Title IX accommodations to OAS immediately. Note, students are not required to register a pregnancy related condition with OAS unless the student is requesting accommodations related to pregnancy/ early parenting. Once students connect with OAS, they will be asked to provide documentation to substantiate requested accommodations. OAS will work with the student to understand and determine their needs.

Students will be asked to have their care provider supply documentation outlining the requested modifications. On the Title IX Accommodation Request Form, the provider will recommend accommodations and/or designate a time period for the student to remain away from classes. Once that time period lapses, additional documentation will be required in order to extend accommodations.

Options for Returning

1. With appropriate documentation, students will be permitted to complete the classes they were enrolled in at the time of their medical leave using a Title IX Course Extension Plan. This process may be initiated when a student has completed approximately 70% of the work required for a course and has a passing grade on work already completed by the last day of the term. Students will work with OAS and faculty to complete a Title IX Course Extension Plan where the student establishes new deadlines for course work. Students will be expected to adhere to these deadlines or provide additional medical documentation as to why the previously agreed upon deadlines cannot be met. Students will work independently and with faculty to complete the missed coursework. A student receiving an incomplete grade at the end of fall term must complete all conditions of the Course Extension Plan by Friday of the eighth week of spring semester, and any student receiving an incomplete grade at the end of spring or summer term must complete all conditions of the Course Extension Plan by Friday of the eighth week of fall semester. *The Incomplete Grade Process as outlined in the Student Handbook has been modified for the Title IX Accommodations Process.   

  • Faculty will assign a temporary “I” to be monitored by the respective Academic Dean who will submit for a grade change after the last due date outlined in the Course Extension Plan unless notified by OAS of the need for adjusted due dates. Please note that the student will be responsible for obtaining all books/materials needed for classes continued in a later term. Students will not be charged lab fees already paid in a prior term for the same class.
  • Alternatives may be available given specific student circumstances.

2. With appropriate documentation, students will be permitted to withdraw from their classes at the point when they last attended. If a student totally withdrawals (ceases enrollment) during a semester, they may owe a portion of their financial aid back. Since each situation is unique, students should call or meet with the Director of Financial Aid or designee for details specific to their situation before deciding on a withdrawal.

3. With appropriate documentation, students can resume their classes in the same semester as their Title IX related need and be permitted to use accommodations such as: deadline extension, alternative assignments for one-time projects or participation points etc. If you plan to continue in your classes and finish by the last day of class, you may request modified due dates/ assignments as an accommodation. You must notify OAS within 2 weeks of an event that prevents temporary completion of coursework. Medical documentation must be provided to establish timeframe of this need. At this time OAS will send the Accommodation Letter to your faculty. A plan for Modified Due Dates should be created by the student with assistance from faculty and OAS within 2 weeks of the above mentioned notification. The student will compile a list of remaining/outstanding assignments and select new due dates by completing the form provided by OAS. Please reach out to OAS for support or additional information. All course work within this plan, must be completed within the parameters of the enrolled term. Once this agreement is approved by the faculty, modifications cannot be made without either: approval from the faculty and/or additional supporting documentation.

4. With appropriate documentation, students can pause coursework for the remainder of the semester and join the same class in a future term. Student will be permitted to resume coursework at the same place they left off in the original semester. All due dates in the replacement course must be followed as outlined the syllabus. Note: Students will not be charged again for the course, but will be responsible for books/ access codes/ materials as needed. The student’s grade will be recorded as an “I” in the original semester until the course is completed in the agreed upon term. Once completed, the appropriate Academic Dean will submit a grade change request to the Registrar at the request of the faculty member.

Concerns and Guidance
If a student feels they have been discriminated against because of pregnancy or parenting, they may file a complaint:

  • By completing the online Sex Discrimination Form located on the College website.
  • With the USDOE OCR, even if the student has not filed a complaint with the school. If the student files with OCR, make sure the student does so within 180 days of when the discrimination took place.
  • In court, even if the student has not filed a complaint with the school or with OCR.

i. The USDOE guidance states, “When the student returns to school, she must be reinstated to the status she held when the leave began, which should include giving her the opportunity to make up any work missed. A school may offer the student alternatives to making up missed work, such as retaking a semester, taking part in an online course credit recovery program, or allowing the student additional time in a program to continue at the same pace and finish at a later date, especially after longer periods of leave. The student should be allowed to choose how to make up the work.”
ii. Depending on the particular course, it may be appropriate for the College to permit the student to retake the semester or substitute a similar course.