In alignment with Boston College’s Jesuit, Catholic mission, we are committed to supporting members of our community with pregnancy and parenting-related needs. We are dedicated to compassionately and proactively meeting the needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors regarding accommodations and support in compliance with the following: Title IX, the Massachusetts Sexual Misconduct Law, and all relevant laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, including the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the EEOC regulations implementing this Act.
Resources for:
PWFA Reasonable Accommodation
In compliance with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Boston College is required to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with known limitations related to, affected by, or arising out of, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions unless it will cause an undue hardship for the Boston College.
If you are an applicant, faculty, staff, or student employee, and need a PWFA Reasonable accommodation due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions or have any questions regarding this process, please contact Peilun Wu, Assistant Director, Office for Institutional Diversity at accommodation@bc.edu, or call 617-552-2373.
Protection Against Discrimination
The University complies with the Massachusetts sexual assault law that addresses Title IX protections against discrimination in pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions. Employees seeking support should consult with Patricia Lowe, Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity/ University Title IX coordinator, at Patricia.Lowe@bc.edu or 617-552-3334.
Additional Resources
Boston College provides a broad and competitive range of benefits to promote the health and general well-being of its workforce. If you have questions about health benefits, insurance, leaves, and other benefits available to you, please contact the Benefits office at benefit@bc.edu or 617-552-3329.
Boston College is committed to supporting parents and strives to provide adequate, functional space to meet nursing parents' needs on a timely basis. If you need to use a Lactation room, please visit our website to reserve a room. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of the lactation room, please contact Anthoula Gounalakis, Assistant Director, Office for Institutional Diversity, at lactation@bc.edu.
Boston College offers an employee assistance program benefit, which is provided by KGA. You receive 24/7 access to a network of experts with solutions and support for busy people managing busy lives. KGA’s confidential services are free to employees and their adult household members. You can find more information about KGA at this link. If you have questions, please contact Marie Elena Gioiella, Director of Employee Wellbeing, at 617-552-3340 or gioiella@bc.edu.
If you would like to discuss experiences of pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions with confidential resources, please contact Carol Hughes at Carole.Hughes@bc.edu or 617-552-3486.
A student who is pregnant is entitled to pursue an education free of discrimination and with reasonable modifications to support access to the education program and related activities.
The Boston College community is here to support students expecting a child. We hold the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of a woman, the child, and those who care about them, in a strong network of support. You are not alone.
If you or your partner is expecting a child, BC has many resources to assist you in continuing and completing your degree.
Pregnant and Parenting students seeking support and/or related accommodations, should contact Student Affairs Title IX Coordinator, Melinda Stoops, at Melinda.Stoops@bc.edu or 617-552-3482. Reasonable Accommodations for pregnancy and related conditions may include but are not limited to academic support, housing, lactation rooms, financial aid, and on-campus employment.
Additional resources
University Health Services provides free pregnancy tests on a walk-in basis. Please check out their website for primary care resources.
Pastoral support: Ellen Modica (ellen.modica@bc.edu) and Rick Rossi (richard.rossi@bc.edu) of Campus Ministry are pregnancy support advocates and are available for pastoral support.
Housing:
- During Pregnancy: It is important to us that all Boston College students feel fully welcome and part of this community. Pregnant students can remain in their residence hall throughout their pregnancy. Jessica Graf (jessica.graf@bc.edu) in Residential Life will assist you in making this new reality as comfortable as possible in every way.
- After giving birth: The residence hall structure is not equipped to provide housing to students caring for a child. Andrew Klopstein (andrew.klopstein@bc.edu) in the Office of the Dean of Students is committed to working with students and families to explore off-campus housing options.
Lactation Room: If you need to use a Lactation room, please visit our website to reserve a room.
University Counseling Services: You can make an appointment with University Counseling Services by calling 617-552-3310.
Center for Student Wellness has many programs that can help you to take care of your physical, mental, and social health, please check out their website.