Lansing Community College
Procedure Details

Procedure Title: Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions and Parenting Student Procedure
Procedure #: EQO.001
Revision #: 001

Unit Responsible: Equal Opportunity Office, Student Affairs, Human Resources
Individual Responsible: Equal Opportunity Officer

Effective Date: 09/27/2024
Initial Approval Date: 07/31/2024
Last Review/Update Date: 09/27/2024
Next Review Date: 09/01/2027

*Does this procedure support a Board Policy? Yes
If yes, identify: 4.120 - Prohibited Sex or Gender Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct

Board policies can be found at: LCC Board of Trustees Policy Page

*Does this procedure support HLC criteria? No
If yes, identify: n/a

HLC Criteria can be found at: HLC Accreditation Criteria

*Does this procedure support a State or Federal Regulation? Yes
If yes, identify: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (Title IX)

*Note: Standard Operating Procedures should be in furtherance of some LCC policy and/or accreditation criteria, even if the relationship is not direct. Assistance in determining this information can be obtained from the Academic Procedure Advisory Committee (APAC) and/or the Accreditation Liaison Officer.

Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions and Parenting Student Procedure, BP 4.120

1. Purpose

To ensure students who are pregnant or are experiencing pregnancy-related conditions receive reasonable modifications to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to the College’s educational programs and activities.


2. Scope

If a student self-discloses a pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition to any employee, that employee must provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and notify the student that reasonable modifications can be made available. If contacted by the student, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the student with information of the College’s obligations. The Title IX Coordinator will also notify the student of the process to submit a request for reasonable modifications and the process to file a complaint for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, as applicable.


3. Prerequisites

The Title IX Coordinator and designee(s) can take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to the College’s educational programs and activities.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Lansing Community College (LCC) 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). The College prohibits members of the college community from adopting or implementing any policy, practice, or procedure 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. This procedure and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant persons, regardless of gender identity or expression.


4. Responsibilities

  • Title IX Coordinators. Is the College’s designee to address sex discrimination, including sex based harassment, the dissemination of the College’s non-discrimination policy and contact information. As used in these policies and procedures, the “Title IX Coordinator” also includes their designee(s).

  • Student. The student is responsible for working with the Title IX Coordinator to ensure their own access through reasonable accommodation.

  • Employee. Any LCC employee who becomes aware of a student’s pregnancy or related condition is required to provide the student with the Student Title IX Coordinators contact information and communicate that the Coordinator can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to the College’s education program and activity.

5. Procedure

  1. Any LCC employee who is notified by a student’s self-disclosure of their pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition is required to provide the student with the Student Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and inform them that reasonable modifications can be made. If the employee has a reasonable belief that the Title IX Coordinator is already aware of the pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, the employee is not required, but may provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

    Student Title IX Coordinator
    Christine Thompson
    Director Of Student Compliance
    Gannon Building
    411 N. Grand Avenue
    Lansing, MI 48933
    Phone: 517-483-9632
    Email: thompsc@star.lcc.edu

    Deputy Student Title IX Coordinator
    Greg Lattig
    Athletic Director
    Gannon Building
    411 N. Grand Avenue
    Lansing, MI 48933
    Phone: 517-483-1622
    Email: lattigg@star.lcc.edu

  2. Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the student with information of the College’s obligations to:

    • Prohibit sex discrimination.
    • Provide reasonable modifications.
    •  Allow access, on a voluntary basis, to any separate and comparable portion of the institution’s education programs or activities.
    • Allow a voluntary leave of absence.
    • Ensure lactation space availability.
    • Maintain a Resolution Process for alleged discrimination.
    • Treat pregnancy as comparable to other temporary medical conditions for medical benefit, service, plan, or policy purposes.

  3. The Title IX Coordinator will also notify the student of the process to submit a request for reasonable modifications and the process to file a complaint for alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, as applicable.

  4. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing pregnancy-related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to the College’s education programs or activities. Students are encouraged to request reasonable modifications as promptly as possible, although retroactive modifications may be available in some circumstances. Reasonable modifications are voluntary, and a student can accept or decline the offered reasonable modifications. Not all reasonable modifications are appropriate for all contexts.

    Reasonable modifications may include:

    • Breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom;
    • Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments;
    • Access to online education;
    • Changes in schedule or course sequence;
    • 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 in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest);
    • Elevator access;
    • To the extent that equipment or uniform(s) are provided by the College, larger uniform(s) or other required clothing or equipment; and/or
    • Other changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Title IX Coordinator.

    In situations such as clinical rotations, performances, labs, and group work, the institution 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.  Students are encouraged to work with 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 and comfortably as possible. The Title IX Coordinator will assist with plan development and implementation as needed.

    Supporting documentation for reasonable modifications will only be required when it is necessary and reasonable under the circumstances to determine which reasonable modifications to offer to determine other specific actions to take to ensure equal access.

    Information about pregnant students’ requests for modifications will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the reasonable modification.

    Students experiencing pregnancy-related 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. The Title IX Coordinator will consult with the Center for Student Access to ensure the student receives reasonable accommodations for their disability as required by law.

  5. Appropriate personnel should inform all students of health and safety risks related to participation in academic and co-curricular activities, regardless of pregnancy status. A student may not be required to provide health care provider or other certification that the student is physically able to participate in the program or activity, unless:

    1. The certified level of physical ability or health is necessary for participation; 
    2. The institution requires such certification of all students participating; and/or
    3. The information obtained is not used as a basis for pregnancy-related discrimination.

  6. The College provides students and employees with access to lactation spaces that are functional, appropriate, and safe. Such spaces are regularly cleaned, shielded from view, and free from the intrusion of others.

    Lactation spaces are located in the following locations:

    Downtown Campus

    Contact LCC Human Resources at 517-483-1870 for key access to the lactation rooms on Downtown Campus.

    • Washington Court Place (WCP) – Room 112.
    • Gannon Building – Room 2132F (Inside Women’s Locker Room).
    • Health and Human Services (HHS) – Room 009.1.
    • Technology and Learning Center (TLC) – Room 3307.

    West Campus

    Contact Student Services at 517-267-5509

    East Campus

    Contact Liz Garrett at 517-483-1322

    Livingston Center

    Room B102

    Contact Martha Anderson at 517-545-3522

    If the above listed contact is unable to be reached, call LCC Human Resources at 517-483-1870.

  7. Students are permitted to take a voluntary leave of absence for a reasonable time due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition. The leave term may be extended in the case of extenuating circumstances or medical necessity. See Leave of Absence for Pregnant/Parenting Students, AA.030.

  8. This procedure will be made available to faculty and employees in annually required training and posted on the LCC’s website. The College will notify all enrolled students about this procedure and the location of this procedure annually and will make educational materials available as part of the Student Title IX Training for new and returning students. Human Resources will make educational materials available to all members of the LCC community to promote compliance and familiarity with its procedures.

6. Reference

Pregnancy and Parenting Modifications and Accommodations

Leave of Absence for Pregnant/Parenting Students, AA.030

This SOP is based on the ATIXA Pregnancy and related conditions model policy.

7. Definitions

  • Marital Status - The state of being married or unmarried.
  • Parental Status - The status of a person who, with respect to another person who is under the age of 18 or who is 18 or older but who is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability, is a biological, adoptive, foster, or stepparent; a legal custodian or guardian; in loco parentis with respect to such a person; or actively seeking legal custody, guardianship, visitation, or adoption of such a person.
  • Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions - The full spectrum of processes and events connected with pregnancy, including pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; related medical conditions; and recovery therefrom.
  • Reasonable Modifications - Individualized modifications to the College’s policies, practices, or procedures that does not fundamentally alter the College’s education programs or activities.