Luther Seminary Student Pregnancy Policy
Luther Seminary is committed to providing access to its programs and classrooms to all students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions consistent with its obligations under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions.
The Seminary provides students with reasonable modifications in accordance with Title IX.
This policy applies to Luther students only, not staff or faculty.
The Seminary’s compliance with laws regarding pregnancy-related conditions is implemented in the context of the Seminary’s broader Title IX Policy as well as the resources and processes for addressing and resolving complaints of discrimination, harassment and related violations of Seminary policy.
I. The Seminary’s Title IX Coordinator
The Seminary’s Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the Seminary’s compliance with Title IX, including its provisions regarding modifications based on pregnancy or related conditions.
In the context of providing modifications to students based on a pregnancy-related condition, the Title IX Coordinator, or a designee as appropriate, conducts activities such as (but not limited to):
• Engaging with the student and Seminary departments and offices in an interactive process providing reasonable modifications to students based on pregnancy or related conditions;
• Overseeing communication to Seminary constituents regarding how students may access modifications based on a pregnancy-related condition;
• Reviewing Seminary policies and facilities to assure institutional compliance with Title IX regarding students experiencing pregnancy or a related condition; and
• Responding to any student complaint regarding pregnancy or a related condition under Title IX to assure prompt and equitable resolution.
The Title IX Coordinator’s contact information is as follows:
Kenneth A. Reynhout
Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 651-641-3247
titleix@luthersem.edu
Office: GH 106
II. Definitions
“Pregnancy or related conditions” is defined as pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; or recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or their related medical conditions.
”Modifications” are changes or alterations to the educational program or activities made for a student experiencing pregnancy or related conditions to provide access to the educational programs and opportunities available at Luther Seminary.
A “person who has a legal right to act on behalf of a student” is a person who, with respect to another person who is under the age of 18 or who is 18 or older but is incapable of self-care because of a physical or mental impairment, is: (1) a biological parent; (2) an adoptive parent; (3) a foster parent; (4) a stepparent; (5) a legal custodian or guardian; (6) in loco parentis with respect to such a person; or (7) actively seeking legal custody, guardianship, visitation, or adoption of such a person.
Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are prohibited under this policy and the Student Handbook Policy against Harassment, Unlawful Discrimination, and Hostility. (See the Title IX Policy for definitions.)
III. Providing Information
When any Seminary employee is informed of a student’s pregnancy or related conditions by the student or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student, the employee must promptly provide the student with the name and contact information of the Title IX Coordinator so the student may contact the Title IX Coordinator for assistance.
When the Title IX Coordinator is notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator, or an appropriate designee, must inform the student of the following information:
1. The Seminary policies which prohibit sex discrimination;
2. Options regarding reasonable modifications based on pregnancy or related conditions;
3. Options, if any, on a voluntary basis to participate in any separate and comparable portion of the Seminary’s education program or activity;
4. Options regarding a voluntary leave of absence;
5. The availability of lactation spaces; and
6. Grievance procedures for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions.
IV. Requesting Modifications
The Seminary provides students with reasonable modifications for pregnancy or related conditions in a timely manner unless providing the modification would fundamentally alter the essential nature of the education program or activity.
Available reasonable modifications depend on academic or student work-study requirements. A non-exhaustive list of potential available modifications might include the following, depending on the circumstances:
a. measures to protect the health and safety of the individual and the pregnancy,
b. modifications to the physical environment, such as accessible seating,
c. limitations on heavy lifting,
d. mobility support,
e. remote learning options,
f. extensions of assignment or course completion deadlines,
g. schedule changes,
h. changes to job assignments,
i. temporary transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position,
j. temporary leaves of absence,
k. withdrawal from courses, or
l. additional or longer breaks.
V. Review of Determinations Regarding Modifications
A student who believes that the Title IX Coordinator did not follow proper procedures in its determination regarding modifications or consider relevant information during the process may request a reconsideration of the decision by following the Appeal process as set forth in the Title IX Policy at Section XI.F.ix. Appeal.
VI. Confidentiality
Luther Seminary respects the sensitive nature of disclosing that a student is experiencing pregnancy or related conditions and works to provide appropriate modifications for students while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality possible.
VII. Record Retention
The Seminary will maintain for a period of seven years records of the following:
• Records of each request for modifications based on pregnancy or related conditions;
• Documentation of the approved modifications; and
• Records of any complaints of discrimination and/or harassment based on pregnancy or related conditions and any determination regarding responsibility and remedies provided to the Complainant to restore or preserve access to the Seminary’s education program or activity.
VIII. Complaint Reporting, Investigation and Resolution
Individuals who believe that they have been subjected to or witnessed discrimination based on pregnancy or a related condition prohibited by Title IX may make a complaint to the Title IX Coordinator. Complaints by students are reviewed according to complaint procedures set forth in the Title IX Policy.