Pregnancy and Parenting

Pregnancy and Parenting at Dartmouth

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex - including pregnancy and parental status - in educational programs and activities.  This also includes all related conditions, such as abortion, miscarriages, adoption & fostering. The U.S. Department of Education has more information online.

Pregnancy and Parenting applies to Dartmouth:  

  • Pregnant Undergraduate/Graduate Students
  • Parenting Undergraduate/Graduate Students
  • Undergraduates/Graduate Students recently pregnant
  • Pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and abortion
  • Adopting and fostering parents

Students should consider notifying the Title IX Office of their or their partner's pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition, or adoption and fostering. Students who adopt or foster children are entitled to the same rights and benefits as birth parents. The Title IX Office can facilitate a coordinated approach to short term accommodations, maternity or paternity leave, and academic accommodations, due to medical necessity or extraordinary parenting or caretaking responsibilities.

Faculty and Staff seeking support or assistance due to pregnancy or parenting considerations should reach out to your Human Resources Consultant, found here.

Eligible Students

Pregnant Undergraduate/Graduate Students:

Expecting students are protected under Title IX. Students may request Supportive Measures such as larger desks, the ability to have water in the classroom, or additional breaks. Pregnant students given medical restrictions such as bed rest will be accommodated to the fullest extent practicable. At times, a student's medical situation may require an incomplete in a course, etc. The Title IX Office can assist with such arrangements.

Parenting Undergraduate/Graduate Students:

Dartmouth College will provide reasonable accommodations to parenting students who request assistance. Extensions may be granted for medical necessity or extraordinary caretaking/parenting responsibilities.

Undergraduate/Graduate Students Recently Pregnant:

Students may be granted a medical or personal leave. Students may also return to school as soon as they wish and are encouraged to work with their medical professionals to determine that timing.

Pregnancy Loss, Miscarriage, and Abortion:

Students who miscarry, suffer pregnancy loss or false pregnancy, and those who have an abortion are all protected by under Title IX. The Title IX Office can provide Supportive Measures in these circumstances.

Adoption and Fostering:

Students who adopt or foster children are entitled to the same rights and benefits as birth parents.

Lactation Rooms

There are 5 lactation rooms available across campus. Please reach out to the contacts listed on the map to be added to the schedule. If there are no lactation rooms close to you, please contact the Title IX Office for further support.

Lactation room locations and directions for reserving space can be found here.

Childcare Options

Locating childcare options can be a daunting task.  Please visit https://www.dartmouth.edu/hrs/childcare/ to learn about options in the Upper Valley.