Student Parent Resources

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities. California law equally prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and parental status. This means that students who are pregnant and parenting must be given equal access to educational programs and activities.

How is this achieved?

1. Early registration – Early registration appointments are available starting Spring Semester 2024 for students with dependent children under the age of eighteen. For more details, visit Registration & Enrollment.
2. Class attendance – Students may not be prevented from attending classes on the basis of pregnancy.
3. Excused absences – Student absences due to childbirth or illness related to pregnancy must be excused so long as it is justified by medical documentation.
4. Make up work – Professors must allow students to make up work if deadlines were missed due to childbirth or illness related to pregnancy (so long as it is justified by medical documentation).
5. Lactation rooms – Parenting students must be given access to lactation rooms on campus for pumping or breastfeeding. 
   • Lactation Program (PDF) – Policies and practices for lactation support and accommodations
   • All Gender Restrooms, Lactation Rooms and Baby Changing Stations (PDF) – Campus map of all gender restrooms and lactation rooms
6. Accommodations – Pregnant students are allowed to request case specific reasonable accommodations so that they may participate in classes or school related activities provided that the accommodation does not fundamentally alter the nature of the course.

If you're experiencing any challenges in accessing your rights as a student parent, please follow the steps below:

1. Contact the Title IX Office at 323-343-3040 or [email protected] so that we can discuss what we can do to support you during this time. The Title IX Office is located on the sixth floor of the Student Services Building, Suite 6381.
2. Keep notes about your pregnancy-related absences, any instances of possible harassment or discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting status and your interactions with faculty or employees about your pregnancy
3. Make copies or retain all medical documentation regarding your pregnancy in the event that you would need to submit them to professors, Title IX Office, etc.
4. Schedule meetings with your academic advisor, financial aid office, registrar’s office to discuss any repercussions that can result from taking a semester off or withdrawing/dropping any classes.