Pregnancy-related Information
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (“Title IX”), is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions, in educational programs and activities.
Pregnancy and Related Conditions Include, but are not limited to:
- Pregnancy,
- Childbirth,
- False Pregnancy,
- Medical Conditions During Pregnancy,
- Miscarriage,
- Termination of Pregnancy, and/or
- Medically Required Recovery Arising in Connection with Pregnancy.
Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to Reasonable Modifications to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to the University’s education program and activity. Reasonable Modifications are those that do not fundamentally alter the University’s education program or activity.
Any student seeking Reasonable Modifications must make a request utilizing our Pregnancy Modification Request Form. Please note that reasonable modifications require documentation from your health care provider detailing needs that are medically necessary. Students will then be contacted to discuss appropriate and available Reasonable Modifications based on their individual needs and the medical documentation provided by the student. Students are encouraged to request Reasonable Modifications as promptly as possible, as retroactive modifications are not available. Reasonable Modifications are voluntary, and a student can accept or decline the offered Reasonable Modifications. Not all Reasonable Modifications are appropriate for all contexts.
Disability Accommodations
The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and support to qualified students, employees, or others with disabilities to ensure equal access to the University’s process.
Students experiencing longer term pregnancy-related conditions that manifest under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are eligible for reasonable accommodations and should contact the University’s Access and Accommodations Office. When appropriate, these offices will work together to provide long term reasonable modifications.
- Students needing accommodations should contact Dr. Arber Winn, Director and ADA Coordinator (Winn_a@mercer.edu).
- Employees needing accommodations should contact Candace Whaley, Associate Vice President for Human Resources (Whaley_ce@mercer.edu)
Following childbirth, students with certain pregnancy-related conditions or complications may be eligible for additional support through Access and Accommodations.