Title IX

To ensure a student’s reasonable access to educational programs, HGTC may be required to make accommodations that are responsive to the student’s temporary pregnancy status. For example, HGTC may provide a larger desk, allow frequent trips to the restroom, or permit the student to have a beverage in class. Each situation is unique, so communication between the student and the instructor is critical.

Yes. Title IX requires schools to excuse a student’s absences due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, for as long as the student’s physician deems the absences to be medically necessary. When students return to school, they must be reinstated to the status held when the leave began, which should include giving the opportunity to make up any work missed.

HGTC may offer students alternatives to making up missed work, such as retaking courses in a later semester or allowing the students additional time in a program and letting them finish at a later date, especially after long periods of leave.

No. A student may not be penalized for being pregnant or experiencing pregnancy-related conditions. If an instructor provides specific credit or other advantages to students based upon class attendance, students who are out due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed so that they can be reinstated to the status held before they took leave.

For courses with a lab component, an alternate assignment may not be available. These situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis between the student, instructor, and the Title IX Coordinator.

Every institution that receives federal financial assistance is bound by Title IX. Therefore, HGTC must ensure the policies and practices of individual teachers are consistent with Title IX and do not discriminate against pregnant students. For example, an instructor may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline they have missed due to pregnancy or childbirth. In addition, if an instructor’s grading is based in part on class attendance or participation, students should be allowed to earn the credits they missed. Each individual instructor’s policies must comply with the provisions of Title IX.

Yes, according to Title IX guidance, HGTC must allow students to make up work missed while they were absent due to pregnancy-related medical conditions, including recovery from childbirth. Instructors must allow a reasonable amount of time to make up all the work students would have been required to complete while they were absent. The makeup assignments and tests must be reasonably equivalent to those missed but need not be identical.

Yes. HGTC must allow students to continue participating in off-campus programs. For example, if a program provides opportunities to “work in the field,” HGTC cannot deny participation based upon pregnancy. However, HGTC may require medical certification from a physician for participation as long as the College or program requires such certification for all students who have a medical condition being treated by a physician. If medical certification is provided, HGTC must abide by the physician’s decision.

Certain educational programs may have strict certification requirements or requirements mandated by outside regulatory agencies. These requirements may limit the options for accommodations that can be made available.

An online class will be treated the same as an person class so a student’s absences will be accommodated as long as the student’s physician deems them medically necessary. Students may not be required to turn in work, even online, while they are out due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions until the physician releases them. HGTC must provide students with the opportunity to make up any work missed once the physician authorizes them return to school.

Pregnant students who are approved for Title IX accommodations may be given an Incomplete, if requested.

No. Students should apply for pregnancy and childbirth accommodations with the Title IX Coordinator as soon as they find out they are pregnant. However, HGTC will work with students as much as possible to allow makeup work to be completed if the pregnancy interferes with their ability to complete the work on time.

This does not apply to work already completed. For example, if a pregnant student, who has NOT requested accommodations, completes a test and earns a failing grade, the student may not request accommodations retroactively to have the failing grade expunged or be retested.

No student is guaranteed to pass a class. Title IX requires accommodations but does not guarantee success. Title IX does not require the College to change a grade or refrain from awarding a grade that was earned through coursework.

Title IX only ensures that students have the opportunity to make up assignments, tests, projects, etc., that they have missed due to pregnancy or childbirth. It does not require the institution provide additional instruction. It is the student’s responsibility to master the course objectives through independent study and use of textbooks, handouts, online resources and exercises, D2L materials, etc. Students should also make sure that they utilize the resources provided through the Student Success and Tutoring Center (SSTC).

It is the students’ responsibility to disclose information related to their condition and seek accommodations. It is not the College's responsibility to independently identify pregnant students and assess their need for accommodations. It is also the students’ responsibility to continue to communicate with instructors about their situation, especially if there are changes that might require additional accommodations.

Lactation spaces are available on each of HGTC’s three campuses. If the designated spaces listed below do not suit your individual needs, please contact the Title IX Coordinator to receive assistance in identifying an option that will be best for you.

Conway Campus
Building 200, Room 203 B

Grand Strand Campus
Building 200, Room 127A

Georgetown Campus
Building 100, Room 153C

The Title IX Coordinator may be reached at 843-349-5218.