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EICC is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Sex discrimination, which can include discrimination based on pregnancy, marital status, or parental status, is prohibited and illegal in admissions, educational programs, and activities. The following are the procedures for ensuring the protection and equal treatment of pregnant persons, individuals with pregnancy-related conditions, and new parents.
This policy shall be provided to all EICC faculty and staff, and to students attending orientation.
Definitions:
- “Medical necessity” is a determination made by a health care provider of a student’s choosing.
- “Pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions” include, but are not limited to pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, conditions arising in connection with pregnancy, and recovery from any of these conditions.
- “Pregnancy discrimination” includes treating a woman affected by pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition less favorably than similar individuals not so affected, and includes a failure to provide legally mandated leave or reasonable accommodations.
- “Pregnant student/Birth parent” refers to the student who is or was pregnant. Although the pronoun “she” and “her” are used herein, this procedure and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant persons regardless of gender identity or expression.
- “Reasonable accommodations” for the purposes of this policy are changes in the academic environment or typical operations that enable a pregnant student or student with a pregnancy-related condition to continue to pursue her studies and enjoy equal benefits of the College.
Non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation of students affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions:
- EICC and its faculty, staff, and other employees shall not require a student enrolled in a course of study to limit her studies, withdraw from a program, or take a leave of absence solely due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.
- The benefits and services provided to students affected by pregnancy shall be no less than those provided to students with temporary medical conditions.
- Students who are pregnant or with pregnancy-related conditions are entitled to reasonable accommodation in order to complete a course of study or research and may seek assistance from the Disability Services Provider.
- A reasonable accommodation balances the needs of the student and the academic objectives of the course or program. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- protections for the health and safety of the student and/or her pregnancy (such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances)
- modifications to the physical environment (such as accessible seating or other form of mobility support)
- extending deadlines and/or allowing the student to make up tests or assignments missed for pregnancy-related absences
- providing remote learning options
- excusing medically-necessary absences
- additional, reasonable time to complete a degree
- granting leave. Following a leave of absence, the student shall be reinstated to the status which the student held before the leave began.
- Breastfeeding students must be granted reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean, and reasonably accessible. Bathroom stalls do not satisfy this requirement.
Complaints of Pregnancy Discrimination or under the Campus Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Policy
Formal complaints of pregnancy discrimination and/or violations of the Campus Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations policy may be made by using the reporting form posted at eicc.edu/complaint. Please also see E4- Complaint Resolution Process.
The deans of students on each campus oversee compliance of this policy, and have responsibility for pregnancy and parenting support and protection. In accordance with Iowa law, EICC is required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and parenting students and maintain a system for investigating related complaints. Questions can also be directed to the contacts listed below.
- Dr. Michael Beane
Dean of Students
Scott Community College
500 Belmont Rd., Bettendorf, IA 52722
mbeane@eicc.edu
563-441-4016
- Tishly Herrington
Dean of Students
Clinton Community College
1000 Lincoln Blvd.
Clinton, IA 52732
therrington@eicc.edu
563-244-7002
- Shelly Cram Rahlf
Dean of Students
Muscatine Community College
152 Colorado Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
scramrahlf@eicc.edu
563-288-6164
- Dr. Naomi DeWinter
Vice Chancellor for Student Development
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
152 Colorado Street
Muscatine, IA 52761
ndewinter@eicc.edu
563-288-6004
Submission of a formal complaint carries no obligation to initiate a formal resolution. Confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent possible. Any retaliation against students filing complaints is strictly prohibited.
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