Pregnant and Parenting Resources for Graduate Students

The University of Connecticut is committed to maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living and working environment for all members of the University community. This includes providing support and resources to students, faculty and staff who are pregnant or caring for children.

The US Department of Education’s regulation implementing Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. If you are a pregnant or parenting student, UConn has resources to help you.

Modifications

Pregnant students are entitled to engage in the interactive, individualized process to review modifications. For general pregnancy-related modifications, students can contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Graduate School. If the modification request is related to a temporary disability, students may contact the Center for Students with Disabilities for assistance. Please see below for information concerning workplace accommodations.

  • The Graduate School – The Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) team supports graduate education by developing engaged communities across multiple disciplines at the University of Connecticut. We help graduate students and postdoctoral scholars achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals during their time at the University of Connecticut.
  • Center for Students with Disabilities – The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) engages in an interactive process with each student and reviews requests for accommodations on an individualized, case-by-case basis. CSD may also assist students who have a temporary condition such as pregnancy, which may result in functional limitations.
  • Student Services Center (UConn Health) – The Student Services Center at UConn Health serves approximately 900 active dental, medical and graduate students. The team includes the Offices of Student Financial Aid Services, Registrar, Student Health Plan, and Student Affairs and Activities. Additionally, the center oversees the Student Fitness Center, provide resources to students seeking housing and support the many student run programs and organizations at the university.

Counseling Services

Graduate School

  • The Graduate School recognizes the importance of successfully balancing academics, work, and family responsibilities. About one-third of UConn’s graduate community identifies as care-givers to children and/or spouse. Graduate students and Post-doctoral scholars have the option to participate in UConn and Storrs – Mansfield programs and services, geared towards assisting the graduate community in meeting care obligations while pursuing their academic objectives.

Graduate Students with Families

  • Graduate Students with Families
    The Graduate School at UConn fully understands the important role that family plays in the graduate student experience. The school recognizes family members as part of the overall support unit for students, and part of the team that encourages personal and professional success.

Student Health

Work/Life – Human Resources

Work/Life strives to promote a culture of balanced work and life for University of Connecticut faculty, staff, and students. UConn offers work/life programs, policies and resources in support of family, engagement and wellness. The family resource page includes information on adoption assistance, childcare and preschool facilities, and parenting resources.

Housing – Storrs Campus

  • Off-Campus Student Services
    While the University does not offer family housing for on-campus students, Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) can help students with exploring their options for off-campus housing. OCSS serves as an advocate for students and centralized resource for off-campus living.

Additional Resources for International Graduate Students

  • U.S. Citizenship
    The General Requirements for Acquisition of Citizenship at Birth from the US. Citizenship and Immigration Services states “a person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth, to include a person born to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe”.
  • Passport for U.S. Born Baby
    The passport application form and additional information may be found at the U.S. Department of State website. Instructions for the U.S. Passport Application, including the Requirements for Children section are available on the site.
  • International Student and Scholar Services
    International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) supports the greater internationalization of the University of Connecticut through the development and delivery of services and programs that help international students, scholars, faculty and staff accomplish their academic and professional goals at UConn.

Lactation Resources

Additional Resources for Graduate Assistants

Department of Human Resources – Workplace Accommodations

Human Resources can assist employees with needs related to their employment, such as time away under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

  • Human Resources – Graduate Assistant Leave Administration
    Circumstances occasionally occur that prevent graduate assistants (graduate teaching assistants – TAs, and graduate research assistants – RAs) from performing the duties of their appointment. This guide is intended to provide general information and guidelines for advisors and department heads related to the administration of leaves of absence for graduate assistants, including Maternity Leave.
  • Human Resources – Storrs and Regional Campuses
  • Human Resources – UConn Health
    The Employee Resource Center serves as a hub for employee inquiries Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Dedicated Employee Resource Specialists can answer a variety of employee questions and direct them to additional resources. The center may be contacted at 860-679-2426 or HR-EmployeeResource@uchc.edu.

Work/Life – Human Resources

Work/Life strives to promote a culture of balanced work and life for University of Connecticut faculty, staff, and students. UConn offers work life programs, policies and resources in support of family, engagement and wellness. The family resource page includes information on adoption assistance, childcare and preschool facilities, and parenting resources.

UConn Ombuds and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • UConn Ombuds
    The UConn Ombuds serves as a neutral resource who provides confidential and informal assistance to members of the campus community. The Ombuds Office was established to provide a confidential, neutral resource for staff, faculty, and graduate students to express concerns, identify options to address workplace conflicts, facilitate productive communication, and surface responsible concerns regarding university policies and practices. Contact the Ombuds Officer at any point during an issue when a confidential conversation or source of information may be needed. The Ombuds will listen to your concerns, give you information about University policies, help you evaluate your situation, and assist you in making plans to address the issue or conflict. You control the process and decide which course of action to take. Contacting the Ombuds Office is completely voluntary and you choose the course of action that is best suited to your interests.
  • Storrs and Regional Campuses EAP
    EAP is a worksite-based program sponsored by the Department of Human Resources. This free and confidential service for employees and their household dependents provides private assessment, brief counseling and/or referrals for additional services to assist with personal and/or work-related problems that could potentially impact job performance, health, mental and emotional well-being. Such concerns may include stress, financial issues, legal issues, family problems, office conflicts, and alcohol or substance abuse, to name a few.
  • UConn Health EAP
    EAP is part of the Department of Medicine and is co-located with Employee Health Service and the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at UConn Health’s Farmington campus. This division provides a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation of complex medical problems related to the workplace and/or the environment. The program provides statewide coverage through the availability of an affiliate network.

Faculty / Teaching Professional Responsibilities Regarding Student Accommodations

UConn is committed to help guide faculty and teaching professionals, including teaching assistants, in providing accommodations to assist pregnant and parenting students. The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) is vested by the University with the authority to determine whether an accommodation should be provided to a student. In making a decision whether to approve an accommodation, the CSD engages in an interactive process with each student and reviews each request for accommodations on an individualized, case-by-case and course-by-course basis. The CSD collaborates with students and their faculty to coordinate approved accommodations and services.

If a faculty member or other teaching professional, including a teaching assistant, believes an approved accommodation constitutes a fundamental alteration of the class objectives or program technical standards, they should contact the student’s Disability Services Provider (DSP) identified in the student’s accommodation letter immediately at (860) 486-2020 or csd@uconn.edu.

Further information on the rights and responsibilities of faculty and teaching professionals, including teaching assistants, regarding academic accommodations is available through the CSD Rights and Responsibilities webpage.

Policies and Commitment to Non-Discrimination

Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence

Every member of the University community, including faculty and staff should use their best efforts to accommodate students and staff who are pregnant and parenting, pursuant to University polices. The University does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its education or employment programs and activities on the basis of an individual’s membership in any protected classes as set forth in state or federal law. To that end, the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence prohibits specific forms of behavior that violate state and federal laws, including but not limited to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”), and related state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

If any member of our community feels they have been discriminated against, harassed, or treated unfairly due to their sex/gender, including related to pregnancy or parenting, they are encouraged to report the issue to the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE). OIE ensures the University’s commitment and responsibility to foster diverse and inclusive working and learning environments.

Non-Retaliation Policy

The University’s Non-Retaliation Policy defines how the University provides for the protection of any person or group within its community from retaliation who, in good faith, participate in investigations or report alleged violations of policies, laws, rules or regulations applicable to the University of Connecticut.

Children in the Workplace Policy

The purpose of UConn’s Children in the Workplace Policy is to establish criteria that permit children to visit their parents (or other relatives) who work at the University, protect their welfare and safety, reduce potential liability and risk for the University and promote an environment in which faculty, staff and students remain productive. Employees should review this policy prior to bringing children to the workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I work with patients and should not be lifting. Who should I talk to about it?
    • At UConn Health, employees may contact the Office of Institutional Equity for workplace accommodations
      Office of Institutional Equity
      Equity.uconn.edu, titleix.uconn.edu & accessibility.uconn.edu
      16 Munson Road, 4th Floor
      263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington
      860.679.3563
    • At UConn Health, students may contact the Student Services Center
      Student Services Center
      health.uconn.edu/student-services
      Academic Building, LM035
      263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington
      860.679.1364
    • In Storrs, students may contact the Center for Students with Disabilities for accommodations
      Center for Students with Disabilities
      csd.uconn.edu
      Wilbur Cross Building, Room 204
      233 Glenbrook Road, Storrs
      860.486.2020
  • I work with hazardous chemicals and need to adjust my job responsibilities.
    • At the Storrs and regional campuses, employees may contact the ADA Accommodations Case Manager in the Department of Human Resources
      ADA Accommodations Case Manager
      hr.uconn.edu/ada-compliance
      9 Walters Avenue, Storrs
      860.486.2036
    • At UConn Health, employees may contact the Office of Institutional Equity for accommodations
      Office of Institutional Equity
      Equity.uconn.edu, titleix.uconn.edu & accessibility.uconn.edu
      16 Munson Road, 4th Floor
      263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington
      860.679.3563

Graduate students may also refer to the Undergraduate FAQs for additional information.