How Title IX is Protecting Students in the Aftermath of the Overturn of Roe

By: Christiana Paradis, Director of Title IX Compliance  

Often when people hear “Title IX” they immediately associate it with sexual assault regulations, but the Title IX Education Amendments of 1972 are, at their core, a law about ending gender discrimination in education systems. Prior to 1972, students who became pregnant would often be forced to leave school or attend an alternative school, which detrimentally affected their ability to seek an education. Furthermore, there was no academic accommodations available for young expectant parents. The Title IX Education Amendments of 1972 changed all of this—outlawing gender discrimination in education institutions, meant outlawing discrimination based on pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.  

While there has been little attention to this topic since the regulations first emerged, the recent overturn of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade has led to renewed interest in how Title IX will help support and protect students, especially in states where they may find themselves pregnant and with limited options.   

To help cement protections for students, Susquehanna passed a Policy and Procedures for Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students in Aug. 2022. The policy outlines reasonable accommodations for students affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, specific parameters include things like:  

• The university cannot limit a student’s ability to study based on pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions   

• Modifications to the physical environment (accessible seating/desks) 
• Extended deadlines or allowing make up tests or assignments for pregnancy-related absences 
• Offering temporary remote learning options approved by faculty  
• Granting leave per the university’s medical leave policy or incomplete classes that will be resumed at a future date 
• Allowing breastfeeding students reasonable time and space to pump at a location that is private, clean and reasonably accessible.  

Additionally, any student experiencing discrimination or harassment due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions has the right to file a formal complaint with the Title IX office to have it investigated and remedied.  

Furthermore, drafted Title IX Regulations, expected to be released later this year or early spring 2023 have put in place additional parameters of support in response to the overturn of Roe, extending pregnancy-related conditions to accommodations for students’ post-abortion.  

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