Accommodations and Support

Policy on Pregnant Students and Students who have Recently Given Birth

Iowa State University is dedicated to providing a supportive and non-discriminatory environment for students who are pregnant or have recently given birth. 

This policy outlines the rights, responsibilities, and reasonable accommodations available to these students within the university community.

For more detailed information and additional resources please review the policy https://www.policy.iastate.edu/studentpregnancyaccommodations.

 

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are based on individual assessments and specific situations.

Accommodations may include:

  • Health and Safety measures
  • Rescheduling tests and assignment due dates
  • Allowing leaves of absence
  • Excusing medically necessary absences due to pregnancy or related conditions.

Support

Iowa State University has assigned responsibility for pregnancy related accommodations to Students Accessibility Services (SAS).

Students should contact SAS at https://sas.dso.iastate.edu/ to discuss the process for requesting accommodations or if they have any questions.

Reporting

The Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) is responsible for administering this policy, overseeing the response, investigation, and resolution of reports of discrimination and harassment based on pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, and childbirth.

Reports and concerns should be directed to OEO.

Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

An increasing number of graduate assistants, predoctoral, and postdoctoral appointees are beginning families during their appointment periods. The purpose of Bridge Funding is to provide short-term funding for up to 12 continuous weeks of paid leave for all graduate assistants, predoctoral scholars, and postdoctoral scholars who will be adding a new child to their family through birth or adoption. Leaves may begin during pregnancy, in the time prior to adoption, or after the arrival of the child.

Contact

  • Graduate College

More information (PDF)

To address the roots and impact of domestic and sexual violence through services that enhance safety, empower survivors, and promote understanding and social justice within our community.

Contacts

  • Sexual Abuse Crisis Line: 1.800.203.3488
  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1.855.983.4641
  • Shelter Services Crisis Line: 1.855.696.2980

More information

The area most frequently used by international students, scholars, and their families is the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) located on the Fourth Floor of the Memorial Union. The International Student Advisers (ISA) working in ISSO assist international students with maintenance of their immigration status, U.S. employment regulations, and provide support with social, cultural, financial, and personal concerns. Staff in the Scholar Unit of ISSO work with ISU departments to bring scholars to campus by preparing immigration documents or filing immigration petitions and by providing guidance on employment regulations. These staff members also advise scholars on maintenance of their immigration status, U.S. employment regulations, and provide support with social, cultural, financial, and personal concerns.

Contact

  • Dean of Students Office

More information

Iowa State University has more than 30 designated lactation rooms on campus. These rooms are available for use by all staff, faculty, students, and visitors to our campus. Individuals are responsible for providing personal breast pumps and accessories. Several of the lactation rooms listed are located in the lounge space of women's restrooms. The lactation room within these areas is protected and private from the restroom area. Each room has an electrical outlet, chair, table, and most have a lockable door. Ideally, a mother needing to use the lactation room for expressing breast milk will feel comfortable and not have to ask others to utilize the space. A few rooms remain locked, so contact information is listed for you to obtain a key or code to access the room.

Contact

  • WorkLife and Family Services, University Human Resources

More information

The Military-Affiliated Student Center is here to support you in your pursuit of academic excellence. Our programs and services are available to all military-affiliated students (veterans, reservists, ROTC, National Guard, and dependents/spouses).

Contact

  • Academic Success Assistant

More information

College students with children - student parents - make up more than 25% of the college population in the U.S., and need support to help balance caregiving and financial responsibilities with work, study time, and class. At Iowa State University, we have many ways to assist you as a student parent. We are here to help in identifying resources, locating policies, learning about programs, and connecting to peers.

Contact

  • WorkLife and Family Services, University Human Resources

More information

The mission of the Office of Student Assistance is to help students experiencing difficulties or challenges achieve academic success. In collaboration with campus and community partners, we provide support through connection to appropriate resources and awareness of university processes for students attending Iowa State University.

Contact

  • Student Assistance, Dean of Students Office 

More information

Student Counseling Services (SCS) provides confidential prevention, intervention, information and referral services to Iowa State students. Assistance is available for students coping with relationship problems, low self-esteem, stress, loneliness, depression, cultural differences, sexual assault recovery, childhood abuse, trauma, eating disorders, substance abuse, career/major, academic motivations and other concerns.

Contact

  • Student Counseling Services, 515-294-5056, Student Services Building

More information

Student Wellness plans, implements, and evaluates health promotion and prevention strategies that focus on health and wellness issues that directly affect student success, higher learning, and personal development such as Power-based personal violence, suicide, mental health, substance use, body image and disordered eating, sexual health, and more.

Contact

  • Student Wellness, 515-294-1099, A37 Friley Hall

More information

Thielen Student Health Center is a full-service medical clinic in Ames, Iowa, staffed with physicians, advanced registered nurse practitioners and nurses. Our team is available to care for the Iowa State University students’ primary health care needs.

Contact

  • Thielen Student Health Center 

More information

Students Helping Our Peers (The SHOP) was created by a group of students looking to give back to their community. Our mission is to engage with anti-hunger advocates and serve the student population by increasing hunger awareness and food security. The SHOP is run by volunteers and the food is obtained through donations. Students may come in and pick up food without showing any ID, which makes this service completely confidential.

Contact

  • Student Engagement

More information

The Academic Success Center provides opportunities for students to develop skills that promote success, practice leadership, and become self-directed learners through the delivery of centralized, high-quality academic support services that are responsive to the needs of the campus community.

Contact

  • Academic Success Center, Dean of Students Office

More information

Discrimination and Harassment

If you or someone you know has been impacted by discrimination or harassment because of their disability, please report the incident to Equal Opportunity.