What am I required to do if I am notified of a Student’s Pregnancy or Related Condition?
When a student, or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student, informs any employee of their pregnancy or related conditions, the employee must inform the person of:
- The Title IX Officer’s (OPHD Director) contact information – ophd@ucmerced.edu – and
- The Title IX Officer can coordinate specific actions to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the student’s equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity.
Please Note: unlike the Responsible Employee obligations, you are not required to notify OPHD.
Does the employee have to report the pregnancy or disclosure of related conditions to the Title IX Officer (OPHD Director)?
No, the employee should provide the student with the appropriate information and let the student decide on their next steps. If the information was shared verbally, the employee may follow up with the student via email.
Do Confidential Employees have to share information?
Yes. All employees, including confidential employees, must share the required information with the student when a student or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student informs the employee of their pregnancy or related condition.
What is a pregnancy-related condition?
Includes, but is not limited to: pregnancy-related fatigue, dehydration (or the need for increased water intake), nausea (or morning sickness), increased body temperature, anemia, and bladder dysfunction; gestational diabetes; preeclampsia; hyperemesis gravidarum (i.e., severe nausea and vomiting); pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure); infertility; recovery from childbirth, miscarriage, or abortion; ectopic pregnancy; prenatal or postpartum depression; and lactation conditions such as swelling or leaking of breast tissue or mastitis.
