February 2025Princeton University is committed to providing access to its programs and classrooms to all students based on pregnancy or related conditions consistent with its obligations under Title IX and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, which prohibit discrimination based on a pregnancy or related conditions. The University provides students with reasonable accommodations in accordance with Title IX and applicable state law.The University’s compliance with laws regarding pregnancy-related conditions is implemented in the context of the University’s broader Policy on Discrimination and/or Harassment and its accompanying FAQs, which advise the University community of prohibited discriminatory and harassing conduct, as well as the resources and processes for addressing and resolving complaints of discrimination, harassment and related violations of University policy. I. The University’s Title IX CoordinatorThe Vice Provost for Institutional Equity serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator and is responsible for coordinating the University’s compliance with Title IX, including its provisions regarding accommodations based on pregnancy or related conditions.In the context of providing accommodations to students based on a pregnancy-related condition, the Title IX Coordinator, or a designee as appropriate, conducts activities such as (but not limited to):Assisting University departments and offices in providing reasonable accommodations to students based on a pregnancy or related conditions;Overseeing communication to University constituents regarding how students may access accommodations based on a pregnancy-related condition;Reviewing University policies and facilities to assure institutional compliance with Title IX regarding students experiencing pregnancy or a related condition; andResponding to any student complaint regarding pregnancy or a related condition under Title IX to assure prompt and equitable resolution.The Title IX Coordinator’s contact information is as follows:Michele MinterVice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity204B Nassau HallPrinceton, New Jersey 08544609-258-6110[email protected]The Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration’s contact information is as follows:Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration201 Nassau Street, Suite 21Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ 08544609-258-7411[email protected]II. Definitions“Pregnancy or related conditions” is defined as pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or lactation; or recovery from pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or their related medical conditions.“Accommodations” are modifications to the educational program or activities made for a student experiencing pregnancy or related conditions to provide access to the educational programs and opportunities available at Princeton. A “disability” is a physical or mental impairment that prevents the normal exercise of any bodily or mental functions or is demonstrable by accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques.A “person who has a legal right to act on behalf of a student” is a person who, with respect to another person who is under the age of 18 or who is 18 or older but is incapable of self-care because of a physical or mental disability, is: (1) a biological parent; (2) an adoptive parent; (3) a foster parent; (4) a stepparent; (5) a legal custodian or guardian; (6) in loco parentis with respect to such a person; or (7) actively seeking legal custody, guardianship, visitation, or adoption of such a person.Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are prohibited under this policy and the Policy on Discrimination and/or Harassment. (See the Policy on Discrimination and/or Harassment for definitions.)III. Providing InformationWhen any University employee (other than a designated confidential resource such as Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education (“SHARE”), Counseling and Psychological Services or chaplains at Office of Religious Life) is informed of a student’s pregnancy or related conditions by the student or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student, the employee is encouraged to direct the student to the University website with pregnancy/childbirth information and resources and/or provide the name and contact information of the Title IX Coordinator so the student may contact the Title IX coordinator for assistance.When the Title IX Coordinator is notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator, or an appropriate designee, should inform the student of the following information: Options regarding reasonable accommodations based on pregnancy or related conditions; Options regarding a voluntary leave of absence; The availability of lactation spaces; and Grievance procedures for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions.IV. Requesting an AccommodationThe University provides students with reasonable accommodations for pregnancy or related conditions in a timely manner unless providing the accommodation would fundamentally alter the essential nature of the education program or activity.Students should contact the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration to request accommodations. The Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration consults with the student and relevant faculty and staff (including deans in the Graduate School or the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students) and conducts an individualized assessment to determine what accommodations are reasonable. A document setting forth the approved accommodations is provided to the student.If a student’s pregnancy or related conditions may qualify as a disability, the student may submit a request for accommodations under the Policy on Disability and Accessibility by contacting the Office of Disability Services.V. Review of Determinations Regarding AccommodationsRequesting a reconsideration by the Director of Gender Equity and Title IX AdministrationA student who believes that the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration did not follow its procedures in its determination regarding an accommodation or consider relevant information during the process may request a reconsideration of the decision. In order to request reconsideration of a decision regarding an accommodation, the student should request a meeting with the Director of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration to present additional information and/or documentation and to discuss the nature of the issue or complaint. This meeting must be requested within thirty days of the determination at issue. The Director of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration may contact faculty or administrators who can provide information pertinent to the case.The time required for the Director of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration to review a decision regarding an accommodation will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature and scope of the matter. A reasonable effort will be made to resolve the matter within thirty days, or as expeditiously as possible. Throughout the process, the Director of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration will, as appropriate, keep the student informed of the status of the process. The student will be contacted in writing with a decision on the review.Requesting a Review by the Title IX CoordinatorIf the issue is not resolved through reconsideration, the student may request a review of the accommodation process by the Title IX Coordinator within ten days of receiving the decision on reconsideration. The Title IX Coordinator will make an inquiry into the complaint and may contact faculty or administrators that can provide information pertinent to the case. In the circumstance of a complaint that involves an allegation of discrimination by staff in the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration or a discriminatory process or practice by Princeton University, the student may contact the Title IX Coordinator directly without initial review by the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration (see section V(1)).The time required for the Title IX Coordinator to review a decision regarding an accommodation will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature and scope of the matter. Every effort will be made to resolve the matter within thirty days or as expeditiously as possible. Throughout the process, the Title IX Coordinator will, as appropriate, keep the participants informed of the status of the process. The student will be contacted in writing with a final decision on the review. There is no further appeal of the Title IX Coordinator’s final resolution.VI. ConfidentialityPrinceton University respects the sensitive nature of disclosing that a student is experiencing pregnancy or related conditions and works to provide appropriate accommodations for students while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality possible.VII. Complaint Reporting, Investigation and ResolutionIndividuals who believe that they have been subjected to or witnessed discrimination based on pregnancy or a related condition prohibited by Title IX may make a complaint to the Title IX Coordinator. Complaints by students and University employees are reviewed according to complaint procedures set forth in the Policy on Discrimination and/or Harassment.
