Pregnancy and Parenting
Title IX protects Pregnant and Parenting individuals from discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Title IX requires equal access and equal participation for Pregnant and Parenting individuals in educational programs and activities including work, clubs, sports, honor societies, leadership opportunities, and other activities.
Columbia State Lactations Rooms
Lactation rooms are available to students, faculty and staff.
| Campus | Room | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Campus | Jones Student Center, Room 140 | Contact: Student Affairs, 931 540-2570 |
| Columbia Campus | Warf, Room 109B | Contact: 931 540-2710 |
| Williamson Campus | Admin., Room 213 | Contact: Student Services, first floor, 615 790-4400 |
| Williamson Campus | Arts & Technology Building, 2nd Floor — Lactation Room | Contact: Janette Scott, 615-465-5765 |
| Lawrence Campus | Room 207A | Contact: Front Desk, 931 766-1600 |
| Lewisburg Campus | Room 126 | Contact: Front Desk, 931 359-0351 |
| Clifton Campus | Room 112 | Contact: Front Desk, 931 676-6966 |
Temporary Adjustments
Columbia State will provide temporary adjustments to Pregnant and Parenting Individuals including, but not limited to:
- communication and support for reasonable and appropriate breaks for standing, lactation, nursing, etc.
- accessible seating (i.e., a larger desk)
- excused absences related to medically necessary appointments
- academic accommodations related to childbirth
To request adjustments, students may complete the Pregnant Student Form.
Students may also contact:
Title IX Coordinator
Executive Director of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator
Debbie Long
dlong15@columbiastate.edu
Pryor Administration Building, room 107B
Columbia Campus
1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401
931-540-2551
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Vice President for Student Affairs / Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Ruth Ann Holt
rholt@columbiastate.edu
Jones Student Center Room 146
Columbia Campus
1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401
931-540-2762
Students
Per Title IX, Columbia State provides the same special services to a pregnant/parenting student that it provides to students with temporary medical conditions. Specifically, support is provided for pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery from any aforementioned condition.
Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions will be excused with documentation from a medical professional indicating that such absences are deemed medically necessary.
We encourage Pregnant and Parenting students to work with their faculty to provide advance notice should any absence coincide with any academic obligations including, but not limited to, test dates and deadlines. Temporary adjustments can be made by faculty to assist students needing assistance. Adjustments are not required when it will fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program or activity.
Faculty members are to allow students the opportunity to make up the work missed while out due to pregnancy or any related conditions, including recovery from childbirth. If a faculty member awards “points” or other advantages based on class attendance, students must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes missed because of pregnancy.
Harassment and Discrimination
Discrimination against any student or the exclusion of any student from participation in any part of an education program or activity, based on a student’s actual or potential pregnancy is prohibited. Any current or former student, applicant for employment, or current or former employee who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination or harassment at Columbia State Community College or who believes that he/she has observed discrimination or harassment taking place shall present a complaint to the Title IX coordinators (Information Above).
For more information
Visit the U.S. Department of Education's "Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students" under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.