Pregnancy, Lactation and Title IX Support

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions.
Metropolitan Community College provides students with equal access to education programs and activities. MCC responds to pregnancy-related needs under Title IX and other laws.

You can request help for pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, recovery, lactation or related medical needs.

How to Request Assistance

To get help, choose one of the following options:

• Online Form: Submit a Pregnancy and Related Conditions Request Form.
• In Person/Email: Contact a Disability Support Services (DSS) counselor.

DSS coordinates student requests with help from the Title IX coordinator as needed. Students should request help as soon as possible so MCC can set up timely support.

Note: If a need arises unexpectedly, or if you contact MCC after an absence, the College will review your circumstances individually to find available options.

Your Rights

You cannot be excluded from an MCC program or activity because of pregnancy or a related condition if you are otherwise eligible to participate.

• Absences and Leave: MCC handles medically necessary absences for pregnancy under Title IX guidelines. If no leave policy applies or you do not qualify for one, pregnancy-related conditions justify leave for as long as your doctor says it is medically necessary.
• Returning to Class: When your leave ends, you must be returned to the academic status you had when the leave began. MCC will help you set up ways to make up missed schoolwork.
• Equal Treatment: MCC treats pregnancy conditions the same as temporary disabilities for student medical benefits and services. The College does not apply rules about parental, family or marital status that treat students differently based on sex.
• Retaliation Protection: MCC prohibits retaliation for exercising your Title IX rights.

Examples of Assistance

MCC reviews individual needs and legal requirements. Depending on your situation, college assistance may include:

• Classroom Adjustments: Reasonable changes to your educational environment or course requirements.
• Physical Comfort: Access to a larger desk or seating changes.
• Health Breaks: Time for health needs, expressing breast milk, breastfeeding, eating, drinking or using the restroom.
• Schedule Flexibility: Schedule or attendance changes when required.
• Excused Time Off: Medically necessary leave or excused absences under Title IX.
• Other Support: Individual help required by law or college policy. MCC lactation services and support may go beyond the basic requirements stated in Title IX rules.

Documentation Policy

MCC does not automatically require medical documentation for every pregnancy-related request. The College will request documentation only when the law allows and when it is necessary to approve the requested change. Any document requirements will match how MCC treats similar temporary medical conditions.

Questions and Concerns

• For help submitting a request or if an approved plan is not being followed: Contact Disability Support Services.
• If you believe you faced discrimination or retaliation or have concerns about a denied request: Contact the Title IX coordinator. The coordinator can explain the review or complaint process.

MCC Lactation Support Program

MCC provides lactation support to help students stay in school while expressing milk for a nursing baby.

• Scheduling: When possible, students should choose to express milk between classes or outside of class time. If a health need requires time during class, request help so MCC can make an individual plan.
• Coordination: Use the Pregnancy and Related Conditions Request Form or contact DSS to set up lactation-related academic help. Instructors and students work with the coordinating office to make up missed work, participation or instruction.
• Problem Solving: Contact the Title IX coordinator if you need help accessing a lactation space, if a room is unavailable or unsafe, or if an approved plan is not working.

Campus Room Locations

Use the expandable sections below to find lactation, meditation and gender-neutral restroom locations at your campus.

Elkhorn Valley Campus

• Room 121: Student lactation and meditation
• Room 332A: Staff lactation and meditation

Fort Omaha Campus

• Building 10, Room 121: Wellness room for lactation and meditation
• Building 10, Room 123: Family restroom
• Building 23, Room 164: Lactation
• Building 23, Room 353: Meditation
• Building 23, Room 253: Family restroom
• Building 24, Room 109: Gender-neutral restroom

South Omaha Campus

• Connector, Room 117: Lactation
• Connector, Room 248: Meditation and prayer
• Connector, Room 171: Gender-neutral restroom

Other MCC Locations

• Applied Technology Center, Room 101: Lactation and meditation
• MCC South Express, Room 113: Lactation and meditation
• MCC Fremont Center, Room 216A: Lactation and meditation
• MCC Sarpy Center, Room 131: Lactation and meditation