Pregnancy is consistently the most common family-related reason given by female students for dropping out of school. Title IX regulations specifically prohibit discrimination against students based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.
Under Title IX, it is illegal for schools to exclude a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational program. The school will not presume that a pregnant student is unable to attend school or participate in activities but may require the student obtain doctor’s permission before participating in certain activities.
Additionally, a school must excuse a student’s absence for pregnancy, childbirth, or any related condition (those listed above) for as long as the student’s doctor deems medically necessary. The student must also have the opportunity to make up any missed work, including extra credit or attendance points.
It is the procedure of Northampton Community College to provide individualized reasonable modifications to the students who have pregnancy related conditions, including recovery from childbirth. To receive these modifications please complete the Pregnancy, Pregnancy Related Conditions and Parenting Modifications Form. Once the form has been received the Title IX Coordinator will review the request and will reach out to the student to further discuss the options that are available.
To discuss pregnancy-related modifications, please reach out to:
Dr. Alyson Patascher
Title IX Coordinator
570-369-1960
apatascher@northampton.edu
Lactation Spaces
Lactating students in college are legally protected under Title IX. Colleges that receive federal funding must provide reasonable accommodations, including time and appropriate space, for students to express breast milk or breastfeed on campus. At Northampton Community College, the lactation spaces are:
- Bethlehem - College Center room 381
- Pocono - Kapp Hall room 010B
- Fowler - Fowler room 016
