Gwynedd Mercy University ( v 8-11-21 )
AY2021-2022 Graduate Academic Catalog
UG _ G _ prvst
Pregnancy Non- Discrimination Policy
Under the Department of Education ’ s ( DOE ) regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 , a college or university “ shall not discriminate against any student , or exclude any student from its education program or activity , including any class or extracurricular activity , on the basis of such student ’ s pregnancy , childbirth , false pregnancy , and termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom .” According to these materials , not discriminating against a pregnant student means granting her leave “ for so long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student ’ s physician ,” and then effectively reinstating the student “ to the status which she held when the leave began .” Pregnant students are entitled to accommodations under Title IX and / or the American with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) and / or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act . For more information , please contact Ms . Brandi Crawford , Director Accessibility Services , at
Crawford . b @ gmercyu . edu at ( 215 ) 646-7300 ext . 21014 , or Mr . Robert Wood the Title IX Coordinator at
wood . r @ gmercyu . edu or ( 215 ) 646-7300 ext . 21140 .
Students will be given an opportunity to make up missed work wherever possible . Extended deadlines , makeup or alternative assignments , and incomplete grades for work that can be completed at a later date ( agreed between instructor and student ), should all be utilized . The University must provide the student with the appropriate assignments and information to make up the work she would have been required to complete while she was out , if this is possible in a given course . In situations where the temporal particularities of the task do not allow for a “ break ,” such as large performances , and lab work , clinical assignment , or group work , the institution should work with the student to devise an alternative academic course-work plan for completion within the policies for academic progress of the University or program as defined by the college catalog . The University requires a doctor ’ s note for continued participation in University activities for all students who have a medical condition that requires routine treatment by a doctor . This also applies to pregnant students . While the University may offer to provide more leave than that stated under Title IX , the University cannot have a rule that prohibits students from returning to classes for a set period of time after childbirth . Pregnant students working within the University ’ s work-study program are protected under Title IX in their capacity as part-time employees .
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES Gwynedd Mercy University laboratories are in compliance with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health ( OSHA ) Act . However , it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of the laboratory courses as soon as the student knows she is pregnant . The student must obtain written permission from her prenatal care doctor to participate in the course laboratory activities . If the student does not properly inform the instructor of the pregnancy , does not provide a doctor ’ s permission note , or is unaware of her pregnancy , the responsibility for any risks or consequences associate with the completion of the laboratory work remains with the student . Gwynedd Mercy University cannot ensure that a pregnant student will not be exposed to chemicals that might be unhealthy for her or her fetus since the effects of all chemicals in fetal development are not completely known . In addition , it is impossible to precisely anticipate the level of exposure , the length of exposure , and the number of encounters that might occur with any chemical during a semester . Therefore , the University recommends that pregnant students should be advised NOT to take a lab course unless she is willing to understand and assume all the risks . She should certainly seek and follow proper medical advice from her physician . Pregnant students will be advised that if they choose to enroll in a laboratory course at Gwynedd Mercy University , they must participate as fully as any other student or their grades will be impacted . They may not take the course in a virtual format of any sort or by watching others , and
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