Pregnant and Parenting Students FAQs
What Are My Rights As a Pregnant and/or Parenting Student?
Students who are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting have the right to:
1. Not be told to drop out or change their educational plans.
2. Be excused from class due to pregnancy-related appointments.
3. Not be harassed due to their pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting status.
Additionally, pregnant and parenting statuses apply to both partners, regardless of sex or gender identity; therefore, the non-birthing partner is also protected by both state and federal laws..
Who Is TJC's Officer for Pregnant and Parenting Students?
In accordance with the Texas Education Code Section 51.9357, the following person is designated as TJC's liaison officer for pregnant and parenting students:
Liaison Officer for Pregnant and Parenting Students
Jacqueline Lozano
Manager, Employee & Organizational Development
Title IX Coordinator
1327 South Baxter, Tyler, TX 75701
(903) 510-3155
Tiffany Perez
Title IX Investigator
1327 South Baxter, Tyler, TX 75701
(903) 510-2028
What Should I Do If I Need to Miss Classes or Cannot Meet Assignment Deadlines?
Any absences due to pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition(s) must be considered medically necessary and excused. Additionally, any absences for parenting students who need to take their children to doctors' appointments or take care of their sick children must be excused. If you think you will need to take an excused absence(s) due to your pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting status, you should complete and submit the Pregnant and Parenting Students Modifications Application Form.
How Do I Request Modifications Due to Pregnancy or Parenting?
TJC must provide modifications to a student who is pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting if the student requests them and they are reasonably available. TJC will provide reasonable modifications to a pregnant student, including modifications that:
1. Would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or
2. Are related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.
TJC will, for reasons related to a student's pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:
1. Excuse the student's absence;
2. Allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;
3. Allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and
4. Provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available to any other student with an excused absence.
TJC will allow a pregnant or parenting student to:
1. Take a leave of absence; and
2. If in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.
The Dean of Students works with pregnant and parenting students to provide reasonable modifications on a case-by-case basis. Students who need to request reasonable modifications due to pregnancy, a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting should contact the Dean of Students.
How Can Pregnant and Parenting Students Register Early?
Students who are pregnant and/or parenting (i.e., the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age) are eligible to register on the first day of priority registration. We identify these students through information submitted on the special populations survey.
I Am a Faculty or Staff Member Who Has Been Notified a Student Is Pregnant or Parenting. What Should I Do?
If a student has informed you that they are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting, please notify TJC's liaison officer for pregnant and parenting students by sending an email to tnannen@tjc.edu.
Are There Lactation Spaces On Campus?
Yes, TJC is required to provide a lactation space, which must be a space other than a bathroom that is clean, shielded from view, free from intrusion by others, and may be used by a student for expressing breast milk or breastfeeding as needed. A lactation space is provided at the Roger's Nursing & Health Sciences on the second floor.
What Childcare Options Are Available?
There are many childcare facilities in the local community. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) maintains a database parents can use to search for licensed childcare facilities.
To access and search the DFPS childcare database, click here.
What Campus and Community Resources Are Available for Pregnant and Parenting Students?
There are resources on campus and in the local community from which pregnant and parenting students may seek support. Some of these resources are linked below:
TJC Services
Counseling Services
Financial Aid
Veteran and Military Services
What Should I Do If I Think I have Been Discriminated Against Because I am Pregnant or Parenting?
If you believe you have been discriminated against because you are pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition(s), and/or parenting, you can submit the Title IX Formal Complaint Form, contact the liaison officer for pregnant and parenting students listed above.
To learn more about reporting prohibited conduct, click here.
Information on TJC's Title IX investigation and resolution procedures is located here.