Pregnancy & Parenting

El Paso Community College is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible working and learning environment for all. EPCC does not discriminate in its education program or activity against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Additionally, EPCC prohibits members of the College community from applying any rule or taking any action which treats an applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee differently on the basis of current, potential, or past parental, family, or marital status.

Students who are pregnant or newly parenting can seek support from the Title IX Coordinator or the Parenting Student Liaison. The Student Parent Liaison is an EPCC staff member who is responsible for providing current and incoming parenting students with information regarding resources and other supports options available to parenting students at the College.

Any EPCC employee who becomes aware of a student’s pregnancy or related medical condition is encouraged to provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and explain that the Title IX Coordinator can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to the College’s education program and activity through the implementation of reasonable modifications.

Reasonable Modifications

Students who are pregnant, experiencing pregnancy-related medical conditions, or are new parents, may request Reasonable Modifications to ensure equal access to the College’s education program and activity and to prevent sex discrimination. Any student seeking Reasonable Modifications can contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss appropriate and available Reasonable Modifications based on the student’s individual needs. Students are encouraged to request Reasonable Modifications as promptly as possible.

Reasonable Modifications may include:

• Breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom
• Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
• Access to online or homebound education, where available
• Changes in schedule or course sequence, where available
• Time extensions for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations
• Allowing a student to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby
• Counseling
• Changes to physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest)
• Other reasonable changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Title IX Coordinator

In situations such as clinical rotations, performances, labs, and group work, the College will work with the student to devise an alternative path to completion, if possible. In progressive curricular and/or cohort-model programs, medically necessary leaves are sufficient cause to permit the student to shift course order, substitute similar courses, or join a subsequent cohort when returning from leave. The Title IX Coordinator will work with students, their faculty members, and the College’s support systems to devise a plan for how to best address the conditions as pregnancy progresses, anticipate the need for leaves, minimize the academic impact of their absence, and get back on track as efficiently as possible.

Lactation Services

EPCC is proud to provide lactation rooms and lactation pods that are available during regular business hours or when campus buildings are open. See a full list of lactation rooms and pods by visiting Family Friendly Campus Services.

Pregnancy-related Medical Conditions

Students experiencing pregnancy-related medical conditions that manifest as a temporary disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are eligible for reasonable accommodations just like any other student with a temporary disability.

Students experiencing pregnancy-related medical conditions may be referred to the Center for Students with Disabilities to ensure the student receives reasonable academic accommodations for their temporary disability.

Employees experiencing pregnancy-related medical condition may be referred to Human Resources to determine reasonable workplace accommodations for their temporary disability.

Support for Student Parents

Students with parenting responsibilities who wish to remain engaged in their coursework while adjusting their academic responsibilities because of the birth, adoption, or placement of a child may request Reasonable Modification. Requests will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis. Extensions to implemented reasonable modifications may be granted by the Title IX Coordinator when additional time is required because of medical necessity or extraordinary parenting responsibilities.

EPCC provides additional support resources for student parents and their families through the Student Parent Resource Center. Visit Family Family Friendly Campus Services. for more information, including a full list of social services and resources.

Complaints

Students who wish to make a complaint regarding discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of current, potential, past pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions may do so by submitting a report online or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator directly.