Legal Requirements
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's Role
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the 23 FAQs in the Anti-Discrimination Policy, we have selected a few to highlight below. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact us at ophd@ucmerced.edu.
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.
