Pregnancy and Parenting

Moravian University actively supports the rights of pregnant and parenting members of our campus community and ensures a learning and working environment free from discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions. Moravian's policies, practices, and resources are designed to align with the requirements of the law and support best practices in the field. 

Rights

Pregnant and parenting individuals, including students in their learning environment and employees in their workplace, are afforded rights under several laws at the federal, state, and local levels.

Policies

Students experiencing pregnancy or related conditions often have questions and many of them can be answered by reviewing the Pregnant and Parenting Students Policy or talking with the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator as a starting point.

Employees often begin their pregnancy journey by talking with Human Resources about their timeline, plans for work leave, and return to work. Below are are the relevant policies to consider. 

Employee Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (may also be applicable to student employees)

Employees who experience a pregnancy loss (or whose partner experiences a pregnancy loss) are afforded Bereavement Leave through Human Resources.

Modifications

Pregnant and parenting individuals are entitled to a number of modifications under Title IX. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Breaks to express breast milk or breastfeed*
  • Breaks to attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom
  • Intermittent absences to attend medical appointments
  • Hybrid/remote work or learning arrangements

  • Changes in schedule or course sequence

  • Being able to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby

  • Counseling

  • Changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest)

  • Elevator access

  • A larger uniform or other required clothing or equipment

  • Other changes to policies, practices, or procedures determined by the Coordinator

*Lactation space is provided for any member of the campus community who may need to breastfeed or express milk. Employees are asked to do so in accordance with the Lactation Support Break Policy for Faculty and Staff.

 

The Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator works with pregnant and parenting individuals through an iterative process to ensure their rights are maintained and needs are met. To learn more, please contact pregnancy@moravian.edu.

Accommodations

In addition to modifications for pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, pregnant individuals may experience complications or conditions related to their pregnancy that are also considered a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). In such cases, the Office of Disability and Accommodations works with students and Human Resources works with employees. Outreach will begin an individualized, iterative process to determine reasonable accommodation(s). 

Under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, any prospective, current, or former student or employee of Moravian University may file a grievance if they disagree with an action or decision related to their disability by an official of the University.

Community Resources

  • Allentown Women's Center offers free pregnancy options counseling, abortion resources, gender-affirming care, insurance and financial assistance options.
  • The Growing Place offers doula services, as well as postpartum and infant care classes.
  • PA COMPASS! offers resources including health insurance, childcare assistance, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan), and SNAP food benefits. 
  • Planned Parenthood Allentown offers resources including insurance, financial assistance, pregnancy and planning services and prenatal and postpartum services.
  • St. Luke's Baby and Me Support Center offers support groups, lactation support services, and postpartum emotional wellness services across multiple locations.
  • LVHN Family Birth and Newborn Center offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting classes across multiple locations.
  • Maternal & Family Health Services offers WIC nutrition services and connection to Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley.
  • Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley offers prenatal and postpartum care (Allentown), as well as case management/social services and behavioral/mental health counseling at multiple locations through a sliding fee discount program.

Pregnancy/Related Disclosures

All employees of Moravian University are required to provide the information below to a student who discloses a pregnancy (faculty typically include this information on their syllabi). It should be noted that employees are not mandated to report pregnancies (or related conditions) to the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator, but are encouraged to ask the student if they wish for a referral to be made in order to provide support.

Pregnancy Disclosure Statement

Students who are pregnant or experiencing a pregnancy related condition are entitled to reasonable modifications that preserve equal access to the institution’s education program or activity (without fundamentally altering the nature of the education program or activity). Please contact Moravian's Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator at pregnancy@moravian.edu to begin this process.

Contact Us

We are committed to ongoing review of information and resources for pregnant and parenting members of our campus community. Questions, suggestions, and requests for additional information may be directed to pregnancy@moravian.edu.