Students | Lactation Rooms | Additional Resources | Employees

Students: Pregnant, Nursing, Parenting

Title IX Application

Title IX prohibits the discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities. This protection extends to pregnancy and the conditions arising in connection with a pregnancy such as childbirth, termination of pregnancy, false pregnancy, miscarriage or recovery from any of these conditions. It is illegal to exclude a pregnant student from classes or any other activity that non-pregnant students have access to.  

Absences

Absences due to pregnancy and related conditions must be excused. Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance may request documentation from a doctor to ensure that the absence is medically necessary. If classes are missed due to a pregnancy-related condition, faculty must provide an opportunity to make up any work the student would have had to complete if they were in class. 

Accommodation and Adjustments

Students who are pregnant or have pregnancy-related conditions are entitled to any special services that are provided to other students who have temporary medical conditions. Accommodations that are available include, but are not limited to the following: 

  • Breaks during class and tests as needed
  • Rescheduling tests or exams
  • Excusing medically-necessary absences as needed due to pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions
  • Extending deadlines and/or allowing students to make up tests or assignments for pregnancy-related absences
  • Submitting work after a deadline
  • Requesting a larger desk
  • Mobility support
  • Modifications to the physical environment
  • Providing alternatives to make up missed work
  • Requesting an incomplete, course withdrawal or replacement
  • Student employment leave
  • Receiving parking adjustments 
  • Academic leave of absence
  • Allowing breastfeeding students reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean and reasonably accessible
  • Allowing excused absences for parenting students who need to perform duties such as taking care of a sick child or bringing a child to a medical appointment

Please note that the college is not required to make any accommodations that fundamentally alter any essential elements of any academic program.

Accommodation Requests under Title IX

For assistance with pregnancy accommodations, please complete the Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form to request academic accommodation. This will allow the college to begin working with you to explore possible accommodation and adjustments to fit your needs. You will also have an opportunity to upload documentation, which may include the following:

  • Appointment confirmations
  • Online health portal printout
  • ER summary
  • Doctor’s note

A student who has developed a chronic medical condition as a result of pregnancy or students with certain pregnancy-related conditions or complications following childbirth should request accommodations from Disability Services. 

Confidentiality

GGC is committed to maintaining your privacy. Information you share related to your pregnancy or parenting status will not be shared with others, including faculty, unless you authorize permission to share it. If you have questions about the safeguards in place to protect your privacy before submitting a written request, please email @email or call 678.407.5085.

Additional Resources

Food and Baby Supplies

The Georgia Department of Public Health created the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to provide information on healthy eating, breastfeeding and healthcare to new parents. The program also provides financial assistance for food to families who are in need.

Learn more about WIC

Childcare

The Childcare and Parent Services Program (CAPS) from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning provides financial assistance to parents with children 12 years of age or younger so parents can attend work or school.

Learn more about CAPS

Lactation Spaces on Campus

Campus lactation spaces are available for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Individuals on campus may also request private spaces to pump milk or address other needs related to breastfeeding. Lactation spaces are private, safe and clean with a place to sit, store belongings and have access to plug in breast pumps and restroom sinks located nearby. Individuals who use lactation spaces are expected to make their own arrangements for refrigeration, including sealed containers and proper storage. Reservations may be made by contacting Zachary Hoxie: @email, 678.407.5851.

Lactation Pod
Library, Building L, second floor
Available during library business hours, the lactation pod contains a lockable door, AC and USB outlets, two benches, collapsible table and a sink located in the nearby restroom.

Lactation Room
Building A, Room 1001
Available during GGC academic building hours, the Building A lactation room contains a lockable door, chair, AC outlets and a sink located in the nearby restroom.

For any concerns about lactation spaces, please contact the Equal Opportunity and Title IX investigator: TitleIX@ggc.edu or 678.407.5085.

View GGC Maps

Employees: Pregnant, Nursing, Parenting

Any GGC employee who needs information or assistance with arranging work adjustments or other accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, lactation or any medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth should contact Sandra Schneider in Payroll and Benefits: @email, 678.407.5054.

Applicable Laws for Faculty/Staff

Federal Law

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, amended the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to require employers to provide a nursing mother with reasonable break time and a place to express breast milk.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act expands on the amended FLSA. It allows for exempt employees to receive the same protections covered in the FLSA. Additionally, the Act requires employers to pay employees during breaks for expressing milk if the employer provides breaks to other employees. Compensation for break time extends to employees participating in telework programs if they would be paid while working on the employer’s worksite.

Georgia Law

Under O.C.G.A. § 34-1-6 (2020) , any break time used to express milk shall be paid at the employee’s regular rate of compensation.