The California State Education Code (EDC ? 66281.7) details specific protections and accommodations (in addition to the preceding provisions
of this Policy) for students enrolled in graduate programs experiencing Pregnancy
or Related Conditions. The following provides an overview of these regulations. Please
consult with the Title IX Coordinator for additional information and support.
(1) A postsecondary educational institution, including the faculty, staff, or other employees
of the institution, shall not require a graduate student to take a leave of absence,
withdraw from the graduate program, or limit his or her graduate studies solely due
to pregnancy or pregnancy-related issues.
(2) A postsecondary educational institution, including the faculty, staff, or other employees
of the institution, shall reasonably accommodate pregnant graduate students so they
may complete their graduate courses of study and research. Reasonable accommodation
may include but is not necessarily limited to, allowances for the pregnant student’s
health and safety, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous
substances, allowing the student to make up tests and assignments that are missed
for pregnancy-related reasons, or allowing the student to take a leave of absence.
Reasonable accommodation shall include excusing medically necessary absences, as required
under Title IX.
(3) A graduate student who chooses to take a leave of absence because the graduate student
is pregnant or has recently given birth, shall be allowed a period consistent with
the policies of the postsecondary educational institution or a period of 12 additional
months, whichever period is longer, to prepare for and take preliminary and qualifying
examinations and an extension of at least 12 months toward normative time to degree
while in candidacy for a graduate degree, unless a longer extension is medically necessary.
(4) A graduate student who is not the birth parent and who chooses to take a leave of
absence because of the birth of the student’s child shall be allowed a period consistent
with the policies of the postsecondary educational institution or a period of one
month, whichever period is longer, to prepare for and take preliminary and qualifying
examinations, and an extension of at least one month toward normative time to degree
while in candidacy for a graduate degree, unless a longer period or extension is medically
necessary to care for the student’s partner or their child.
(5) An enrolled graduate student in good academic standing who chooses to take a leave
of absence because the student is pregnant or has recently given birth, shall return
to the student program in good academic standing following a leave period consistent
with the policies of the postsecondary educational institution or of up to one academic
year, whichever period is longer, subject to the reasonable administrative requirements
of the institution, unless there is a medical reason for a longer absence, in which
case the student’s standing in the graduate program shall be maintained during that
period of absence.
(6) An enrolled graduate student in good academic standing who is not the birth parent
and who chooses to take a leave of absence because of the birth of the student’s child
shall return to the student’s program in good academic standing following a leave
period consistent with the policies of the postsecondary educational institution,
or of up to one month, whichever period is longer, subject to the reasonable administrative
requirements of the institution.
(7) Each postsecondary educational institution shall have a written policy for graduate
students on pregnancy discrimination and procedures for addressing pregnancy discrimination
complaints under Title IX or this section. A copy of this policy shall be made available
to faculty, staff, and employees in their required training. This policy shall be
available to all graduate students attending orientation sessions at a postsecondary
educational institution.
Graduate students at Chapman are not required to take a leave of absence, withdraw,
or limit their graduate studies because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical
conditions. However, those students who cannot complete their coursework or another
course of study for a period of time due to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical
conditions are eligible for a leave of absence (see below). Students who are pregnant
or who have recently given birth are also eligible for reasonable accommodations.
Additionally, graduate students who are disabled due to pregnancy, childbirth, and
related medical conditions are eligible to take a leave of absence.
Graduate students must complete a Graduate Petition form to notify their program of their intention to take a leave of absence. Law students
should consult with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in Fowler School of Law.
For questions, please contact titleix@chapman.edu.