Troy University Settles Pregnancy Discrimination Investigation
Troy University in Alabama has resolved an investigation with the Office for Civil Rights over claims of pregnancy discrimination. The university has committed to providing adjustments and reimbursements for the affected student, updating policies, and training faculty and staff on Title IX rights.
Troy University Resolves Pregnancy Discrimination Investigation with Office for Civil Rights
January 27, 2023
TROY, ALABAMA - Recently, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the resolution of an investigation into whether Troy University in Alabama responded to a student’s requests for pregnancy-related adjustments during the 2020-21 school year in a manner that complied with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). The investigation was launched after a student at the university claimed to have experienced discrimination due to her pregnancy.
According to the OCR's investigation, the student had notified the university of her pregnancy before the start of the fall 2020 semester. However, the student reportedly experienced negative consequences as a result of a lack of accommodations for her pregnancy. For example, when the student became unable to fit into a classroom desk due to her pregnancy, she requested a table for one of her classes but never received one. Additionally, she was penalized in a class for poor attendance and received a failing grade in another class because she was denied the ability to make up work.
The OCR's investigation found that the university did not make reasonable and responsive adjustments to the student’s pregnancy-related requests. Responses that the university did offer to the student’s requests were described as ad hoc and uncoordinated. Furthermore, the Title IX coordinator did not consistently or timely intervene when the student alerted him to issues with certain classes. Additionally, there was no evidence that the Title IX coordinator responded to a professor who sought guidance in addressing the student’s requests. Finally, the absence of available information about how to obtain pregnancy-related adjustments contributed to the university’s uncoordinated response and left the student to make multiple requests through both the university’s Title IX coordinator and individual professors.
To resolve the investigation, the university has agreed to a number of commitments, including:
Providing the student adjustments to grades negatively impacted by the university’s handling of her requests, as well as reimbursement for documented expenses related to courses she has had to retake since the semester when she was pregnant.
Reviewing and, where necessary, revising or drafting policies and procedures on how to address requests for adjustments from pregnant students to ensure that it complies with Title IX.
Updating its website to provide information such as the Title IX rights of pregnant students, the process for requesting adjustments, and a link to the grievance procedures that apply to complaints of pregnancy-related or other sex discrimination.
Faculty and staff training regarding the Title IX rights of pregnant students and the university’s obligations regarding pregnant students, as well as a survey to gauge the effectiveness of the training.
Tracking of students’ requests for pregnancy-related adjustments and the university’s responses to the requests.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon said, “I thank Troy University for addressing the pregnancy-related needs of the student who came to OCR for help and for ensuring that, going forward, it will provide pregnant students equal access to the university’s courses and other offerings.”
The resolution of this investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that pregnant students are not discriminated against and that their rights are protected under Title IX. Universities must take steps to ensure that pregnant students have equal access to education and that accommodations are made for their unique needs. It is also important for universities to provide clear information about the rights of pregnant students and the process for requesting accommodations.
It is important for all universities to ensure that they are in compliance with Title IX, and to take the necessary steps to address any issues that may arise in order to provide equal access to education for all students.
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The letter to Troy University can be found here and the resolution agreement can be found here.