SECTION F | STUDENT

 

SECTION FFC.4

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
PREGNANCY AND PARENTING STUDENT

Procedure

As required under the Texas Education Code, Sections 51.9357 and 51.982 (f), Navarro College ensures freedom from discrimination and the protection of the rights of pregnant and parenting students. 

 

Definitions:
Parenting Student:
A student who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age.
 
Pregnant Student:
A student who is pregnant, or is recovering from, a pregnancy or related condition.
 
A.  Navarro College may not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student’s status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student’s pregnancy or parenting, to:
1. take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student’s degree or certificate program,
2. limit the student's studies,
3. participate in an alternative program,
4. change the student’s major, degree, or certificate program, or
5. refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at Navarro College.
 
B.  Navarro College shall provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations that:
1. would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition, or
2. are related to the health and safety of the student and the student’s unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.
 
C.  Navarro College shall, for reasons related to a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:
1. excuse the student’s absence,
2. allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments,
3. allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as Navarro College allows for a student with a temporary medical condition, and
4. provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence under this section to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available to any other student with an excused absence.
 
D.  Navarro College shall allow a pregnant or parenting student to:
1. take a leave of absence, and
2. if in good academic standing at the time of the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.
 
E.  Navarro College shall designate at least one Navarro College employee to act as a Liaison Officer for current or incoming students at the institution who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. The Liaison Officer shall provide the students with information regarding support services and other resources available to the students at Navarro College.  The Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison Officer shall provide resources to access, including:
1.  medical and behavioral health coverage and services,
2.  public benefit programs, including programs related to food security, affordable housing, and housing subsidies,
3.  parenting and childcare resources,
4.  employment assistance,
5.  transportation assistance,
6.  student academic success strategies, and
7.  any other resources developed by Navarro College to assist students.
 
F.  Navarro College shall post the Navarro College Policy on Pregnancy and Parenting Student Discrimination in an easily accessible, straightforward format on the Navarro College website with the inclusion of contact information for the Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison Officer.
 
Pregnancy and Parenting Liaison Officer
Bulldog Life Center
Dr. Richard Sanchez Library Room 133
903-875-7382
Pregnacy and Parenting Liaison Officer email
 
G.  Navarro College shall make the Policy of Pregnancy and Parenting Student Discrimination available annually to Navarro College faculty, staff, and employees.
 
H.  Navarro College shall submit to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board a report that contains the following information regarding students enrolled at Navarro College for the current academic year who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age:
1. the number of those students,
2. demographic data, including age, race, sex, and ethnicity,
3. academic date, including full-time or part-time enrollment status and graduation, transfer, and withdrawal rates, and
4. other data as prescribed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rule.

 

 

 

Approved: 2024
Updated: 
Reviewed: