Student Parents

Title IX requires professors and administrators treat pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary disability. The university can require a pregnant student to provide a doctor’s certification of fitness to continue in an education program or activity only if the same requirement is imposed on all other students with physical or emotional conditions requiring a doctor’s care. Pregnant students must be provided the same accommodations and support services available to other students with similar medical needs. Your professors or administrators should not tell you that you have to drop out of your classes or academic program or change your educational plans due to your pregnancy.

If you have a concern regarding your status as a pregnant or parenting student at Fresno State, please contact the Title IX Coordinator. Fill out the Student Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form to request accommodations and/or information regarding resources available to you.

Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions must be excused and cannot be treated or
penalized like unexcused absences. Your professors must provide you a leave of absence for as long as it is
deemed necessary by your medical doctor. At the end of your leave, you must be reinstated to the status you
held prior to your leave. After returning from an excused absence, your professors must allow a reasonable
amount of time to make up missed assignments and tests. The makeup assignments and tests must be
reasonably equivalent to those missed, but need not be identical. If a professor provides specific “points” or
other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the
credit from classes missed due to pregnancy. Under Title IX, pregnant students are entitled to the same benefits
offered to students with other medical conditions, illness or injury.

While your professor may have a strict attendance policy, the university is bound by federal civil rights law. Title IX requires the university ensure that all faculty and staff comply with the law and do not discriminate against pregnant and parenting students. An individual professor’s policy is not OK if it breaks the law. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have questions about your professor’s attendance policy as it relates to your pregnancy.

Title IX requires the university provide pregnant students with any special services we provide to students with
any other type of temporary disabilities. You may complete the Student Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form
or visit the Services for Students with Disabilities office in the LibrarySuite 1202, on the south
wing of the first floor.

No. Your program must allow you to continue participating in off-campus programs. If your program provides opportunities to “work in the field,” you cannot be excluded based on your pregnancy. Your professor cannot require a doctor’s note for continued participation unless your professor requires one for all students who have a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor. If they do ask for a note, they cannot second-guess your doctor’s decision.

Please submit the Student Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form for additional information regarding absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, as they must be excused for as long as it is deemed necessary by your medical doctor. If you want to take off more time than your doctor says is medically necessary, please contact your Academic Advisor to learn more about filing a leave of absence request.

Title IX requires the university prevent and address sex-based harassment, including harassment based on
pregnancy. If you experience this sort of treatment, you should seek help immediately. The law prohibits anyone
from retaliating against you for filing a complaint or raising a concern.

California State University, Fresno recognizes the importance and benefits of nursing and lactation support for individuals and their new born and young infants. The university is committed to providing faculty, staff, and students who are nursing with reasonable breaks and clean and functional lactation stations.

There are various lactation stations on campus. To view the map click HERE

For more information view the Human Resources website by clicking HERE

 Fresno State Programs for Children includes three centers:

• The Campus Children's Infant/Toddler Center
• The Campus Children's Preschool Center
• The Joyce M. Huggins Early Education Center

The center provide services for children between the ages of 3 months and 12 years. The programs work in partnership with Fresno State and the larger community to provide opportunities for learning and for developing partnerships that will benefit young children and families. Fresno State Programs for Children, Inc. provides services to the children of the California State University, Fresno student body and to a limited extend, faculty, staff, and the larger community.

For more information you can contact the Programs for Children at progforchild@csufresno.edu or call (559)-278-0225. 

The Fresno State Student Cupboard is a free food and hygiene pantry for current Fresno State students. They can also assist with CalFresh applications. Baby food, baby wipes, and diapers are always available, and you can take an unlimited amount. For more information call the Student Cupboard at (559)-278-6621 or visit them in the Industrial Technology Building. Additionally, you can view their website at the link below:

Fresno State is one of nine institutions nationwide, funded by NASA, to implement an Aerospace Academy. A major purpose of the Academy is to increase interest and involvement of K-12 students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program offers 36 hours of STEM engagement, using NASA-themed, problem based curriculum. The family involvement component includes family nights and take-home projects to promote collaboration between students and family members.

The Youth Technology Institute (YTI), a program operated and managed under the Fresno State NASA Aerospace Academy, is taught using the latest technology, software, and equipment. Learners will participate in two 90-minute classes each day.

Each class is limited to 20 students to maximize individual attention and to allow adequate time for practice. Learners will develop skills in technology as they explore and problem solve with hands-on activities.

For more information, call Community Based Learning Program at 559.278.0256.