Your Rights

We’re here to support you and help you complete your education! Title IX provides students who are pregnant or experience a false pregnancy, have a child or adopt a child, terminate a pregnancy or have a miscarriage with special services as it provides to students with other temporary conditions. As a student with one of these conditions, you have the right to: 

• Not be told to drop out or change education plans
• Be provided a comfortable space to pump milk
• Be excused from class due to pregnancy-related appointments (pre-natal, give birth, have an abortion or be on doctor-ordered bed rest)
• Not have excused absences count against your grades
• Be provided the opportunity to make up missed work from excused absences
• Not be harassed as the result of pregnancy

Title IX does not assist with childcare issues, bonding time or similar parenting situations and challenges. What is meant by the context of Title IX is the medical recovery from the above conditions listed. Though not required by law, Gateway has extended these rights to your child as well, up to three months of age.

Gateway students who are single parents (including pregnant students) can find support and resources by contacting Student Support Specialist Danyanna Dunn at dunnd@hzyixin.net or 262-564-2439.

Gateway has designated private rooms for personal use, including lactation (breast pumping). Under Wisconsin law, women may breastfeed their child in any area where the general public is allowed to go. Learn more information on your rights to breastfeed in public.

Private Personal Needs Rooms

Private personal needs rooms can be used for any need. View the Private Personal Needs Rooms web page to learn more.

The Rights of Fathers

As Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex, some of the same protections and accommodations apply to fathers as well. In some situations, fathers will not receive the same accommodations due to the nature of pregnancy and recovery. For example, a mother could receive a medical excuse from school for several weeks after birth to physically recover from birthing. Fathers would not be eligible for the same accommodation. 

Apply for Title IX

Pregnant and parenting services are available for all Gateway students. Complete the Application for Disability Support Services and Title IX - Pregnant and Parenting form to apply for Title IX services.

The Accommodation Process

• Pregnant students are encouraged, but not required, to contact Disability Support Services (DSS) early in their pregnancy. Accommodation rights are not made until you have contacted DSS and completed required paperwork.
• The DSS instructor will guide the student in obtaining appropriate medical documentation of their condition and the medical basis for accommodations. Accommodations are implemented based on what is determined by the medical provider.
• The DSS instructor will work with the student and his/her instructors to implement the accommodations.
• The student is ultimately responsible for obtaining the appropriate medical documentation. Your DSS instructor will help guide you through the process and answer all of your questions.

See our forms and resources.