Pregnant & Parenting students
NCTC recognizes that college can be a big transition in one’s life, complete with its own joys and challenges. Similarly, NCTC recognizes that pregnancy and parenting can also be a big transition, with its own set of joys and challenges. At NCTC, we strive to support our pregnant and parenting students in reaching their academic goals, as well as to provide resources that may assist in helping students reach parenting goals, caring about each student as the complete person that they are!
If you are pregnant, nursing, and/or parenting, you have access to accommodations! These accommodations may include supportive measures, medically necessary periods of leave, and leaves of absence. This support includes both mothers and fathers, biological and adoptive, for students who are the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age. Please email studentparents@nctc.edu for more information!
Title IX
Title IX provides for equal educational opportunities for pregnant and parenting students. It prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against pregnant students based on marital status and prohibits discrimination against a student because of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, or recovery from related conditions. Additionally, Title IX also provides protections for parents that are raising a child during the immediate postpartum period.
Your Rights
Education Code Section 51.982
Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students
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, 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.
The duration for a leave of absence will be dependent on doctor recommendations for the time of the release. If you believe you may need to take a leave of absence, please contact the liaison to discuss this option!
Reasonable Accommodations
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.
Reasonable accommodations vary for each individual student based on one’s unique needs and circumstances, however examples of reasonable accommodations may include: accessible seating, frequent restroom breaks, ability to have food and drink in the classroom, ability to be part of a priority registration period if one is offered.
Requesting Services
To request Pregnancy and/or Parenting related services, please contact the Student Parent Liaison for an appointment. At the time of your appointment, please be sure to bring any necessary documentation with you. This may include the child’s birth certificate, a doctor’s note, and/or a copy of a certified court order.
NCTC Student Parent Liaison
Courtney Jaimes, MEd, LPC, PMH-C
940-498-6203
cjaimes@nctc.edu
Lactation Spaces
NCTC provides clean, private spaces for lactating mothers to nurse, pump, and/or tend to other child needs. For access to these areas, please contact the person listed below and/or email studentparents@nctc.edu:
Gainesville
Health Science Building, Room 2425
Health Science Dean’s Administrative Specialist
Champions Circle
Room 107
Resources
NCTC works to provide students with resource options both on campus and within our communities. While we try to provide a number of resources that could be beneficial to a student, this is not a complete listing of all resources that may be available.
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Postpartum Support International
Gainesville, 940-668-6391
Denton, 940-380-8191
Flower Mound, 940-312-5382
Denton, 940-383-4494
Health Services of North Texas
Various, 940-381-1501
Denton
Denton, 940-349-2900
Lewisville. 972-434-4700
Lewisville, 972-436-7962
Denton, 940-891-0737
Lewisville, 972-221-7644
Young, Grayson, and Cooke Counties
Grayson, Cooke, Fannin, and Montague Counties
Need More Resources?
For a more extensive list of various campus and community resources, visit our community resources page!
More Resources
Title IX
Title IX policies related to acts of sexual misconduct, sexual discrimination and sexual harassment.
Counseling
Meet our NCTC Counselors and schedule an appointment.
Suicide Prevention
Learn more about suicide prevention including the warning signs and resources available.
Student with Disabilities
Resources for students with disabilities or in need of special accommodations.