Pregnant and Parenting Student Rights
Pregnant and parenting students have rights and protections at É«ÖÐÉ«. Title IX, a federal civil rights law, prohibits discrimination based on sex including pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, recovery from pregnancy, and parenting status — in all educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. This means students cannot be excluded from classes, programs, or opportunities because they are pregnant or parenting and are entitled to reasonable accommodation and supportive measures to help them continue their education.
Students may request adjustments such as reasonable academic accommodation, flexibility with attendance related to pregnancy or parenting needs, access to lactation spaces, and support for participation in campus programs and extracurricular activities. Campus partners are available to help students understand their rights, explore available options, and connect with appropriate support services.
On-Campus Services and Programs for Students with Children
The Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC) assists pregnant and parenting students by providing temporary, individualized academic accommodations. BMAC works with students to identify functional limitations related to pregnancy and up to two weekspostpartum and to determine reasonable adjustments that support continued participation in courses while preserving essential academic requirements.
Phone: (562) 985-5401
Email: bmac@csulb.edu
Location: Student Success Services Center (SSSC), Suite 110
The Dean of Students Office is committed to supporting the academic success and wellbeing of students who are postpartum (up to two weeks) or parenting. Staff can help students navigate course modification requests and facilitate communication with instructors regarding academic needs related to parenting or postpartum recovery. While the office can advocate and provide guidance, final decisions about specific course adjustments are made by the instructor.
Phone: (562)985-8670
·¡³¾²¹¾±±ô: studentdean@csulb.edu
Location: Brotman Hall, Room 289
Visit Dean of Students Website
How to Request Support:
- Prepare Your Request:
- Identify the specific modifications you need (e.g., flexible deadlines, remote attendance, …).
- Contact the Dean of Students Office:
- Reach out to the Dean of Students Office via email, phone, or in-person. Clearly state that you are a 2 weeks postpartum or parenting student seeking support for course modifications. Contact information can be found above.
- Dean of Students office will follow up with you or your professor regarding your request.
Students who believe they have experienced discrimination, harassment, or lack of compliance related to pregnancy or parenting status may submit a report to the Title IX Coordinator. The Office of Equity & Compliance provides information about student rights, supportive measures, and the reporting process.
Phone: (562) 985-8256
Email: oec@csulb.edu
Location: Foundation Building, Suite 160
Frequently Asked Questions
É«ÖÐÉ« will provide pregnancy modifications to students who identify as pregnant or who are experiencing medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, including those students who are undergoing a medical procedure or medical treatment. The pregnancy modifications align with the academic requirements for the course or program. The Bob Murphy Access Center supports students in requesting pregnancy modifications and will contact faculty on your behalf. For disability-related accommodations, medical documentation including the duration and frequency of the medical restriction may be needed to help identify an appropriate accommodation. Absences may be up to two weeks with BMAC approval. The accommodations must align with your medical provider’s restrictions and the academic requirements of the course or program.
Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC)
Phone: (562) 985-5401
Fax: (562) 985-7183
Email: bmac@csulb.edu
Location: SSSC, Room 110
NOTE: If you would like to make a pregnancy modification request, please contact the Bob Murphy Access Center as soon as possible so that they can facilitate the accommodation process with your professors. The Bob Murphy Access Center may request a doctor’s note, but they will not share medical diagnosis or conditions with faculty or staff. DO NOT submit a doctor’s notes regarding your pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition to your professors.
If you need accommodations related to pregnancy or up to two weeks postpartum, you should first contact the Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC) as soon as possible. BMAC will work with you and your instructors to provide reasonable accommodation that align with your medical restrictions while maintaining the academic requirements of your courses.
For students who are postpartum (up to two weeks) or parenting, the Dean of Students Office can assist in requesting course modifications and communicating with instructors. While the office helps facilitate modifications, instructors ultimately determine specific adjustments, including make-up work or deadlines.
In both cases, early communication with BMAC or the Dean of Students Office is essential to ensure your needs are considered, and appropriate support is provided.
Bob Murphy Access Center (BMAC)
Phone: (562) 985-5401
Fax: (562) 985-7183
E-mail: bmac@csulb.edu
Location: SSSC, Room 110
Dean of Students
Phone: (562) 985-8670
Email: studentdean@csulb.edu
Location: Brotman Hall, Room 289
We want all students to feel included and welcomed at É«ÖÐÉ«. Please contact the Office of Equity & Compliance if you experience inappropriate comments or activities from students, faculty, or staff related to your pregnancy or parenting status.
Equity & Diversity
Phone: (562) 985-8256
Email: oec@csulb.edu
Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 8 am - 5 pm
Due to the technical nature of financial aid, you should contact É«ÖÐɫ’s Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to learn the specifics about your situation. Applicants, current students, and admitted students can access the Financial Aid Office queue here.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
Phone: (562) 985-5471 (option #4)
Window Service: Beach Central Service - 1st floor Brotman Hall
