Pregnancy and Parenting
É«ÖÐÉ« University actively supports the rights of pregnant and parenting members of our campus community and ensures a learning and working environment free from discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions. É«ÖÐÉ«'s policies, practices, and resources are designed to align with the requirements of the law and support best practices in the field.
Rights
Pregnant and parenting individuals, including students in their learning environment and employees in their workplace, are afforded rights under several laws at the federal, state, and local levels.
Policies
Students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions often have questions and many of them can be answered by reviewing the Pregnant and Parenting Students Policy or talking with the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator as a starting point.
Employees often begin their pregnancy journey by talking with Human Resources about their timeline, plans for work leave, and return to work. Below are are the relevant policies to consider.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (may also be applicable to student employees)
Employees who experience a pregnancy loss (or whose partner experiences a pregnancy loss) are afforded Bereavement Leave through Human Resources.
Modifications
Pregnant and parenting individuals are entitled to a number of modifications under Title IX. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Breaks to express breast milk or breastfeed*
- Breaks to attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom
- Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
- Hybrid/remote work or learning arrangements
Changes in schedule or course sequence
Being able to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby
Counseling
Changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest)
Elevator access
A larger uniform or other required clothing or equipment
Other changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Coordinator
*Lactation space is provided for any member of the campus community who may need to breastfeed or express milk. Employees are asked to do so in accordance with the Lactation Support Break Policy for Faculty and Staff.
The Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator works with pregnant and parenting individuals through an iterative process to ensure their rights are maintained and needs are met. To learn more, please contact pregnancy@moravian.edu.
Accommodations
In addition to modifications for pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, pregnant individuals may experience complications or conditions related to their pregnancy that are also considered a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). In such cases, the Office of Disability and Accommodations works with students and Human Resources works with employees. Outreach will begin an individualized, iterative process to determine reasonable accommodation(s).
Under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, any prospective, current, or former student or employee of É«ÖÐÉ« University may if they disagree with an action or decision related to their disability by an official of the University.
Community Resources
- offers free pregnancy options counseling, abortion resources, gender-affirming care, insurance and financial assistance options.
- offers doula services, as well as postpartum and infant care classes.
- offers resources including health insurance, childcare assistance, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan), and SNAP food benefits.
- offers resources including insurance, financial assistance, pregnancy and planning services and prenatal and postpartum services.
- offers support groups, lactation support services, and postpartum emotional wellness services across multiple locations.
- offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting classes across multiple locations.
- offers WIC nutrition services and connection to Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley.
- offers prenatal and postpartum care (Allentown), as well as case management/social services and behavioral/mental health counseling at multiple locations through a sliding fee discount program.
Pregnancy/Related Disclosures
All employees of É«ÖÐÉ« University are required to provide the information below to a student who discloses a pregnancy (faculty typically include this information on their syllabi). It should be noted that employees are not mandated to report pregnancies (or related conditions) to the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator, but are encouraged to ask the student if they wish for a referral to be made in order to provide support.
Pregnancy Disclosure Statement
Students who are pregnant or experiencing a pregnancy related condition are entitled to reasonable modifications that preserve equal access to the institution’s education program or activity (without fundamentally altering the nature of the education program or activity). Please contact É«ÖÐÉ«'s Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator at pregnancy@moravian.edu to begin this process.
Contact Us
We are committed to ongoing review of information and resources for pregnant and parenting members of our campus community. Questions, suggestions, and requests for additional information may be directed to pregnancy@moravian.edu.