
What is Title IX?
Many students at Ensign College choose to start and grow their families while also pursuing their education. Ensign College has several resources available to students to support them as they balance school and family life.
Title IX covers gender-related issues, including pregnancy, birth, and postpartum needs, and the Title IX Office can help students understand what kinds of support are available to them. Please reach out to Title IX directly and as early as possible to discuss options and resources available to you by calling (801) 524-8157 or emailing titleix@ensign.edu.
Title IX covers gender-related issues, including pregnancy, birth, and postpartum needs, and the Title IX Office can help students understand what kinds of support are available to them. Please reach out to Title IX directly and as early as possible to discuss options and resources available to you by calling (801) 524-8157 or emailing titleix@ensign.edu.
How Can Title IX Help Me?
Here are some examples of situations in which you might seek a Title IX modification for your pregnancy:
- Pregnancy symptoms are interfering with your schoolwork (e.g. morning sickness, fatigue, hyperemesis gravidarum)
- Planning your recovery from delivery (it is recommended you start the supportive measure process in advance of your due date) or if you have a complicated delivery and need additional support
- You are suffering from a postpartum mood disorder, such as postpartum depression, anxiety, or panic
While many students are able to stay in school while pregnant, we recognize this might not be the best option for everyone. Here are some additional options for how to continue your education while pregnant:
- Take fewer classes per semester
- Request an incomplete, which allows you to finish a class over a longer time period than the semester (contact the Title IX Office to help with this)
- Consider taking a leave of absence appropriate in your situation (the Title IX Office can help with this)
The Title IX Office is here to assist pregnant students in these and many other ways, so please reach out if you are in need!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A student should contact the Title IX office as soon as possible. The Title IX office can help the student understand their rights under Title IX and facilitate communication between the student, professors, and other offices as needed. A student may schedule a meeting with the Title IX Office by calling (801) 524-8157, emailing titleix@ensign.edu or coming to the office in room 906 on the 9th floor.
Yes, Title IX protects all students and employees from sex-based discrimination. The Department of Education’s regulations implementing Title IX specifically prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. More specifically, it prohibits a college or university from applying any rule related to a student’s parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on their sex.
In June of 2013, the Office for Civil Rights issued a pamphlet entitled “Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972” which details these obligations. For a copy of the pamphlet, click here.
In June of 2013, the Office for Civil Rights issued a pamphlet entitled “Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972” which details these obligations. For a copy of the pamphlet, click here.
Yes. Title IX prohibits harassment of students based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions. Harassing conduct can take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, graphic and written statements, and other conduct that may be humiliating or physically threatening or harmful.
Particular actions that could constitute prohibited harassment include making sexual comments or jokes about a student’s pregnancy, calling a pregnant student sexually charged names, spreading rumors about her sexual activity, and making sexual propositions or gestures. Colleges and universities must take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end pregnancy related harassment, prevent its recurrence, and eliminate any hostile environment created by the harassment.
The college violates Title IX if sexual harassment or other pregnancy-related harassment by employees, students, or third parties is sufficiently serious that it interferes with a student’s ability to benefit from or participate in the school’s program, and the harassment is encouraged, tolerated, not adequately addressed, or ignored by school employees.
If you feel that you are subject to harassment or discrimination due to pregnancy, please contact the Title IX Office or Title IX Coordinator directly so that the college may address the issue. You may also file a report online.
Information from the Office for Civil Rights “Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972”
Particular actions that could constitute prohibited harassment include making sexual comments or jokes about a student’s pregnancy, calling a pregnant student sexually charged names, spreading rumors about her sexual activity, and making sexual propositions or gestures. Colleges and universities must take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end pregnancy related harassment, prevent its recurrence, and eliminate any hostile environment created by the harassment.
The college violates Title IX if sexual harassment or other pregnancy-related harassment by employees, students, or third parties is sufficiently serious that it interferes with a student’s ability to benefit from or participate in the school’s program, and the harassment is encouraged, tolerated, not adequately addressed, or ignored by school employees.
If you feel that you are subject to harassment or discrimination due to pregnancy, please contact the Title IX Office or Title IX Coordinator directly so that the college may address the issue. You may also file a report online.
Information from the Office for Civil Rights “Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972”
No. Any such requirement would violate Title IX. The college may provide information to its students about the availability of an alternative program or course, but it may not pressure a pregnant student to attend that program. A pregnant student must be allowed to remain in her regular classes and school if she so chooses.
You only need to inform the college of your pregnancy status if you are seeking academic adjustments related to pregnancy. If you are seeking supportive measures please contact the Title IX office for more information and assistance.
To ensure a pregnant student’s access to its educational program, when necessary, the college must make adjustments to the regular program that are reasonable and responsive to the student’s temporary pregnancy status. Title IX requires the college to provide the same special services to a pregnant student that it provides to students with a temporary medical conditions. If deemed medically necessary, potential accommodations may include (but are not necessarily limited to):
If you are a professor with a student requesting adjustments, please contact the Title IX Office.
- Excused absences
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Approval to leave class early to express milk
- Opportunity to make up missed work
- Temporary access to elevators
- Approval of class withdrawal after the add/drop deadline
- Audio-record classes or a provided note-taker for missed classes
If you are a professor with a student requesting adjustments, please contact the Title IX Office.
Every college and university that receives federal financial assistance is bound by Title IX. Colleges and universities must ensure that the policies and practices of individual professors do not discriminate against pregnant students. For example, a professor may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline that she missed because of absences due to pregnancy or childbirth. Additionally, if a professor’s grading is based in part on class attendance or participation, the student should be allowed to earn the credits she missed so that she can be reinstated to the status she had before the leave. The college should ensure that professors and staff are aware of and follow Title IX requirements.
Every college and university that receives federal financial assistance is bound by Title IX. Colleges and universities must ensure that the policies and practices of individual professors do not discriminate against pregnant students. For example, a professor may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline that she missed because of absences due to pregnancy or childbirth. Additionally, if a professor’s grading is based in part on class attendance or participation, the student should be allowed to earn the credits she missed so that she can be reinstated to the status she had before the leave. The college should ensure that professors and staff are aware of and follow Title IX requirements.
Yes. Room 232 on the 2nd floor down the hall to the left of Financial Aid & Scholarships serves as this designated space.