Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including on the basis of pregnancy and parenting status. The college is required to provide reasonable accommodations due to pregnancy and parenting needs, including excused absences, changes in the work environment, or alternative participation options. If you feel that reasonable accommodations are not being provided, please contact the Pregnant and Parenting Student Liaison: Angelica Ramos | Student Accommodations Specialist | aramos@odessa.edu | 432-335-6697 | Spur 136.
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Scan the QR or CLICK HERE to fill out the form to ensure you have the accomodations needed for your courses and if you need more resources. |
What the Law Says
(Texas Education Code Section 51.982 & Texas Education Code Section 51.9357)
An institution of higher education may not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student's status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student's pregnancy or parenting to:
- Take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program;
- Limit the student's studies;
- Participate in an alternative program;
- Change the student's major, degree, or certificate program; or
- Refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.
An institution of higher education shall provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations that:
- Would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or
- Are related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.
An institution of higher education shall, for reasons related to a student's pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:
- Excuse the student's absence;
- Allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;
- Allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and
- Provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available to any other student with an excused absence.
An institution of higher education shall allow a pregnant or parenting student to:
- Take a leave of absence; and
- If in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.
Each institution of higher education shall designate at least one (1) employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer for current or incoming students at the institution who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. The liaison officer shall provide to the students information regarding support services and other resources available to the students at the institution, including:
- Resources to access:
- Medical and behavioral health coverage and services; and
- Public benefit programs, including programs related to food security, affordable housing, and housing subsidies;
- Parenting and child care resources;
- Employment resources;
- Transportation assistance;
- Student academic success strategies; and
- Any other resources developed by the institution to assist the students.
Lactation Pods
Odessa College has three Mamava Lactation Pods in campus, reflecting the college’s commitment to supporting the needs of nursing mothers in the community.
These state-of-the-art pods are designed to provide a comfortable, private, and convenient space for nursing mothers to pump or feed.
The Mamava Lactation Pods are strategically located throughout the campus for easy access:
- Saulsbury Campus Center (2nd Floor)
- Wood Math & Science Building (2nd Floor)
- Learning Resource Center
To access any of the Lactation Pods, please contact Odessa College’s Care Services at cares@odessa.edu