Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations

The Office of Student Disability Services is required to offer accommodations to students based on their disability. View the full list of Accommodations.

Most reasonable accommodations will need to be requested by the student each semester. Requests can be made through an interactive process between the student and an SDS staff member.

The Office of Student Disability Services also has Enhanced Services, called Project Pass, which students can choose to participate. By signing up for Project Pass (enhanced services), students are required to use all the services. Learn more about Project Pass..

Pregnancy and Parenting

Murray State University is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students.

What is Title IX and what does it cover?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of schools. This prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy and parental status – in education programs and activities. The law requires that the University cannot treat students differently on the basis of sex concerning their actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Schools that receive federal funds must not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, including a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination or recovery therefrom. This also includes those who are already raising children. MSU wants every student to be able to work successfully toward graduation. The University will provide equal access to school programs and extracurricular activities to students who might be, are or have been pregnant. The University will provide services to pregnant students as they would to other students who have temporary medical conditions.

What types of accommodations may I request?

Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Examples of accommodations may include:

• a larger desk

• breaks during class, as needed

• permitting temporary access to elevators

• rescheduling tests or exams

• excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions

• submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth

• providing alternatives to make up missed work

• allowing excused absences for parenting students (both male and female) who need to take their children to doctors' appointments or to take care of their sick children

How do I request accommodations?

Students may request reasonable accommodations as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary based on the student's circumstances, but may include: academic accommodations and flexibility (such as breaks during class, excused absences, rescheduling of tests, extensions of deadlines, and alternatives to make up missed work); leaves of absences or changes in work schedules; changes to housing; or other types of accommodations. Accommodation requests should be directed to Ken Ashlock in the Office of Student Disability Services. The Office of SDS will discuss the pregnant or parenting individual's needs and will ask for documentation that supports the requested accommodations.  Other documents which might be helpful for this conversation include but are not limited to: class schedule, syllabi, professor contact information, contact information for the student, etc. 

Requests from pregnant, parenting or pregnancy related medical conditions should be directed to:

Ken Ashlock
Director of Student Disability Services
270.809.2018
kashlock@murraystate.edu

Reports regarding discrimination regarding pregnancy or parenting should be directed to:

Title IX Coordinator
Office of IDEA
270.809.3155
msu.titleix@murraystate.edu