Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy and Postpartum Accommodations

USAHS is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and postpartum students and ensures compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the USAHS Title IX Policy which provides for accommodation for students because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Student Welfare and Accessibility engages in an interactive process with each student and reviews requests for accommodations on a case-by-case basis.

Accommodation Information:

Reasonable accommodations vary based on the student’s circumstances and program of study, but may include accommodations such as leave of absence, breaks during class, access to lactations spaces, and/or temporary lifting restrictions.

Pregnant students are eligible for a leave of absence in accordance with the university’s Leave of Absence Policy (for the remainder of the term or full term, not exceeding 180 days). Students may be approved for up to 14 calendar days of consecutive excused absence during the term as an accommodation in alignment with the Attendance and Academic Engagement Policy. Arrangements acceptable to both student and the program of study must be made to complete exams and all remaining coursework. If coursework is not able to be completed by the end of the term, Student Welfare and Accessibility will work with the student and the program to determine what alternative accommodations may be appropriate given the medical documentation received, course sequencing, and program requirements.

Accommodation Process:

STEP 1. Complete the Pregnancy/Postpartum Accommodation request E-form below.

STEP 2. Submit documentation with the request E-form or email it to accommodations@usa.edu . If you are unsure of the documentation needed, contact Student Accessibility and Welfare at accommodations@usa.edu or you may use the Medical Provider Verification form provided below.

STEP 3. Student Accessibility and Welfare staff will review the information provided within 10 business days of receipt and contact the student to notify of the outcome of the review. If documentation is sufficient, the student will be asked to set up an intake appointment. If declined or if more documentation is needed, the student will be notified and provided an opportunity to resubmit documentation.

STEP 4. If approved for accommodations, Student Accessibility and Welfare will provide an Accommodation Notice to the student. For didactic and/or clinical approvals, it is the student's responsibility to send the notice to their instructors and/or placement team for accommodation implementation.

Appeal Process: If a student wishes to appeal a decision, either qualification for services or a specific accommodation decision, a written appeal should be emailed to the Executive Director of Student Affairs, Candice Vasquez at cvasquez@usa.edu as promptly as possible. All available information including any additional information submitted by the student during appeal will be considered. The Executive Director of Student Affairs will provide a written response within 5 business days of receipt of the appeal.

Pregnancy Accommodation E-Form

You are not authorized to use this portlet; It is only available to users in certain roles within the portal.

Medical Provider Verification Form

Forms

Title	Description	File type
Medical Provider Verification Form		.pdf

USAHS Student Lactation Room Access

USAHS is committed to creating accessible and inclusive spaces for postpartum nursing students. To further enhance our commitment, we included information about the lactation room spaces across all five campuses.

Official accommodation is not required to use these spaces. If a student is seeking accommodation related to nursing (i.e. breaks) or other postpartum-related concerns, we encourage you to contact accommodations@usa.edu for assistance.

Campus	Room and Location	Access
Austin	1.Room 224, located in the library. 2. Room 237 in Building C located in the employee suite. The signage outside these rooms indicates Mother’s Room	Room 224 remains unlocked and vacant, except when in use. The door lock is activated from the inside and indicates ‘vacant’ when available. Room 237C will require access to the employee suite. Access to the employee suite can be provided by USAHS front desk staff or security personnel with an active USAHS issued I.D. badge.
Dallas	1.The room on the USAHS campus floor is adjacent to the women’s restroom near the elevators. 2. Equivalent rooms are located on the two other floors of the building. The signage outside the room indicates a Wellness Room	All rooms remain unlocked and vacant, except when in use. The door lock is activated from the inside and indicates ‘vacant’ when available.
Miami	1. Room 150, located on the first floor of the USAHS campus. 2. Room N244, located on the second floor of the USAHS campus in the faculty suite. Upon entry, the room will be on the left. The signage outside the room indicates Reflection Room	Room 150 remains unlocked and vacant, except when it is in use. The door lock is activated from the inside and indicates ‘vacant’ when available. Room N244 will require access to the faculty suite, but the room itself remains unlocked and vacant, except when it is in use. Access to the employee suite can be provided by USAHS front desk staff or security personnel with an active USAHS issued I.D. badge.
St. Augustine	1.Room B209, located to the right of the stairs next to the study rooms. 2.Room A219, located in the employee suite. Upon entry, the room will be on the right. 3.Room A220, located in the employee suite. Upon entry, the room will be on the right. The signage outside the room indicates Reflection Room	Room B209, students can access this room using an active USAHS issued I.D. badge. Room A219 will require access to the employee suite. Access to the employee suite can be provided by USAHS front desk staff or security personnel with an active USAHS issued I.D. badge. Room A220 will require access to the employee suite. Access to the employee suite can be provided by USAHS front desk staff or security personnel with an active USAHS issued I.D. badge.
San Marcos	1.Room 135 located in Building A 2.The room is in Building C, upon entry to the main lobby to the left.	Room 135A remains unlocked and vacant except when in use. The room in Building C remains unlocked and vacant except when in use.