Graduate Student Childbirth Accommodation Policy

The Graduate School (TGS) childbirth accommodation policy provides academic milestone extensions and, in certain circumstances, continued financial support to eligible women graduate students who are candidates for master’s or doctoral degrees from TGS and give birth during their eligibility.

Access to the childbirth accommodation policy described below is independent of personal leaves taken according to the provisions of the graduate student family leave policy.  Family leave may be taken in addition to the accommodation period for childbirth, as set forth in this policy. More information for Student Parents can be found here.

1. Eligibility

Graduate students eligible for this childbirth accommodation policy are full or part-time women graduate students who, at the time of birth, are candidates for master’s or doctoral degrees from TGS.  Graduate students enrolled in school-based professional degree programs not in the jurisdiction of TGS (such as those in Communication, Continuing Studies, Education and Social Policy, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Journalism, and Music) are not covered under this policy. This leave policy applies to births taking place after November 1, 2006.

2. Academic Accommodation Period

An academic accommodation period of six weeks for childbirth is provided to eligible graduate students.  This academic accommodation period may be taken before and/or after the birth.  During this period, students may postpone course assignments, examinations and other academic requirements but remain eligible for full-time or part-time enrollment and retain access to university facilities (including university housing, student health insurance, etc.) and all other rights and privileges accorded students registered with the same status – full or part time. Any student granted a childbirth accommodation leave must register for TGS 512 Continuous Registration for each quarter the student is absent.  Students who register for TGS 512 do not have to reapply for admission or submit an application for readmission. This accommodation period will also provide for an automatic extension of academic milestones for two academic quarters during which the same access provisions apply.  Students are expected to return to their studies/duties at the end of this six-week period. 

If a medically certified disability arises as a result of pregnancy or childbearing that renders the graduate student unable to continue her studies after the six-week accommodation period, the student is eligible for additional leave as described by the graduate student family leave policy.

3. Financial Accommodation Policy

Eligible women graduate students supported by fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and/or receiving a tuition scholarship at the time of childbirth will be excused from regular teaching or research duties for a period of six weeks during which they will continue to receive support.  The funding source for the student’s aid at the time of childbirth (university, foundation, governmental) will be responsible to fund the student during the 6-week accommodation period. 

If a medically certified disability arises as a result of pregnancy or childbearing that renders the graduate student unable to continue her studies after the six-week accommodation period, the student is eligible for additional leave as described by the existing graduate student family leave policy.  During this additional leave, students will not be eligible for university aid in the form of fellowship, assistantship, or scholarship.

4. Notification

Eligible graduate students are required to notify their advisor/primary investigator, Director of Graduate Study, and TGS of the date of their intended time away at least sixty days prior to the expected date of childbirth.