Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex - including pregnancy and parental status - in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. If you are a pregnant or parenting student, you have the right to stay in school so you can meet your education and career goals. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Title IX rights.
How can I use Title IX to ensure that my pregnancy or family responsibilities do not interfere with my education?
Title IX requires professors and administrators to treat pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability. The College can require a pregnant student to provide a doctor’s certification of fitness to continue in an education program or activity only if the same requirement is imposed on all other students with physical or emotional conditions requiring a doctor’s care. Pregnant students must be provided accommodations and support services available to other students with medical needs. Your professors or administrators cannot tell you that you have to drop out of your classes or academic program or change your educational plans due to your pregnancy. If you have a concern regarding your status as a pregnant or parenting student at GRCC, please contact:
Lisa Thomas
Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
lisathomas2@grcc.edu or titleix@grcc.edu
(616) 234-2353 or (616) 234-4999
Do my professors have to excuse my absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or abortion?
Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or penalized like unexcused absences. Your professors must provide you a leave of absence for as long as it is deemed necessary by your medical doctor. At the end of your leave, you must be reinstated to the status you held prior to your leave. After returning from an excused absence, your professors must allow a reasonable amount of time to make up missed assignments and tests. The makeup assignments and tests must be reasonably equivalent to those missed, but need not be identical. If a professor provides specific “points” or other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed due to pregnancy.
What if my professors say their absence/makeup policy applies regardless of any medical condition?
While your professor may have a strict attendance policy, the College is bound by federal civil rights law. Title IX requires the institution to ensure that all faculty and staff comply with the law and do not discriminate against pregnant and parenting students. An individual professor’s policy is not OK if it breaks the law. If you have questions about your professor’s attendance policy as it relates to your pregnancy or parental responsibilities please contact:
Lisa Thomas
Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
lisathomas2@grcc.edu or titleix@grcc.edu
(616) 234-2353 or (616) 234-4999
Does the College need to provide me with special academic services?
Title IX requires the College to provide pregnant students with any special services we would otherwise provide to students with any other type of temporary disabilities. Please contact:
Lisa Thomas
Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
lisathomas2@grcc.edu or titleix@grcc.edu
(616) 234-2353 or (616) 234-4999
If my program requires internships, career rotations or other off-campus elements, can I be excluded from participation?
No. Your program must allow you to continue participating in off-campus programs. If your program provides opportunities to “work in the field,” you cannot be excluded based on your pregnancy. Your professor cannot require a doctor’s note for continued participation unless your professor requires one for all students who have a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor. If they do ask for a note, they cannot second-guess your doctor’s decision.
What if classmates or professors have made offensive comments to me about my pregnancy?
Title IX requires the College to prevent and address sex-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy. If you experience this sort of treatment, you should seek help immediately. The law prohibits anyone from retaliating against you for filing a complaint or raising a concern. If this occurs, please contact:
Lisa Thomas
Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
lisathomas2@grcc.edu or titleix@grcc.edu
(616) 234-2353 or (616) 234-4999
I would like to take a semester off. Can I keep my student status, scholarships, etc.?
You will keep your status as a student for up to one year. If you want to take off more time than your doctor says is medically necessary, please contact:
Lisa Thomas
Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
lisathomas2@grcc.edu or titleix@grcc.edu
(616) 234-2353 or (616) 234-4999
If you have questions regarding your ability to continue receiving financial aid, including scholarships, please contact the Financial Aid office at (616) 234-4030 or email financialaid@grcc.edu .
Childcare Resources
We support, because we care.
Because your success is important to us, we are here to help you access GRCC and community resources so you can focus on your education, such as: Food, Utility Costs, Housing Costs, Housing Resources, Transportation (i.e bus passes, gas, etc), Auto Repairs, Healthcare/Medical Needs, Tuition and Fees, Textbooks and School Supplies, Internet Access, SNAP benefits (food assistance), Childcare, etc.
Please fill out the GET HELP contact form and a staff member will be in contact with you.
GET HELP contact and Emergency Funding intake form
Off-Campus resources
Head Start
Head Start for Kent County is a non-profit agency that provides holistic, family-centered services at no cost to qualifying families in Kent County, Michigan. Founded in 1991 under the name Michigan Family Resources, the agency receives federal funds to manage both Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These early childhood programs support the well-being and development of children from birth to age five by focusing on education, nutrition, medical and dental care, parent involvement and social services.
Since 1966, CDS has been committed to providing the children and families of Ottawa and Northern Allegan counties with services that help them prepare for their future. Our multiple programs feature research-based curricula designed to teach children the learning and social skills they need to achieve kindergarten readiness. All of our teachers are professionally qualified for preschool education and our dedicated staff work hard to provide a safe and culturally sensitive environment.
Childcare Finder
Great Start to Quality
Finding and choosing the licensed child care, preschool or school-age only setting that is right for your child and family can be challenging. Great Start to Quality makes your search for licensed child care, preschool and school-age only programs easier, gives you tips to make an informed decision and the confidence of knowing you chose the care in your area that best suits your family’s needs.
State of Michigan Free or Low-Cost Childcare
Need Help Paying for Child Care? More families now qualify for free or low-cost child care for children up to age 12. To participate in the Child Development and Care (CDC) program, you must first qualify and apply at Michigan.gov/MIBridges. More information on eligibility.
Find additional resources
Please consider some of the other options available to you on the GetHelp webpage as well as various options near you. The Find Help site can help you find resources and other free or reduced cost programs depending on your need, and United Way – 211 is another option that connects people to more than 2,900 services.