Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, and parental status – in educational programs, activities, and employment.
When a UC Merced employee is notified by a student (or a person with a legal right to act on the student’s behalf) of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, they must promptly provide the person with:
- The Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) Director/Title IX Officer’s contact information – ophd@ucmerced.edu and
- Inform them that the Director/Title IX Officer can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the student’s equal access to UC Merced’s education program or activity.
Please Note: unlike the Responsible Employee obligations, the employee is not required to notify OPHD.
OPHD is available to help both students and employees understand their rights and explore their options, providing support for those who are pregnant, parenting, or facing challenges in requesting accommodations or modifications. If you are a student, the Dean of Students Office can also assist you in creating a plan to ensure you continue your education successfully.
OPHD also responds to reports of discrimination based on pregnancy or parental status and failure to accommodate and failure to provide reasonable modifications. Please visit the OPHD page for information on how to file a complaint.
