Title IX Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs. Included is making it illegal for universities to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or other related conditions. This includes recovery and bonding with the child; and is also available to students whose partners have recently given birth.

Supportive Measures Available:

  • Excused absences for medical appointments and accommodations to make attending classes easier
  • Leave for complicated pregnancies and birth
  • Protections inside and outside of the classroom, including any school-sponsored activities, athletics, scholarships, and financial aid
  • The ability to leave the classroom to pump for breast milk 

If you would like more information about measures available as a student, please reach out to a SAFE Resource Navigator by calling 713-348-3311 or emailing safesupport@rice.edu.

Intimate Partner Violence and Pregnancy
According to the National Institutes of Health, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects the lives of approximately 300,000 persons who are experiencing a pregnancy. Forms of abuse can include, not allowing the person to go to doctor visits (known as medical abuse), emotional, psychological, sexual, physical, and financial (such as withholding monies needed for baby supplies).

If you are experiencing intimate partner violence during your pregnancy, there is assistance available at Rice, which can include finding safe housing, assisting with protective orders, assistance filing a police report, and academic supportive measures. Students who wish to consult with a SAFE Resource Navigator, may do so by calling 713-348-3311 or emailing safesupport@rice.edu.

Pregnancy as a Result of a Sexual Assault
If you were sexually assaulted and have learned that you have become pregnant as a result, there is assistance available to you both through Navigation Support and the medical health professionals at Student Health Services, who can meet with you to discuss your medical needs and help you build a treatment plan. To schedule an appointment:

SAFE Resource Navigator:  713-348-3311 or email: safesupport@rice.edu.

Student Health Services: 713-348-4966 

Pregnancy Resources

Benefits you may have available to you through the State of Texas

Your Texas Benefits
State benefits programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Healthcare, and Support

Children’s Health Insurance Perinatal (CHIP) Coverage
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford to buy private insurance

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF provides cash payments to help families pay for food, clothing, housing, and other essential needs. 

Resources At Rice

Lactation Rooms

Lactation, nursing, or breast/chestfeeding rooms are private, clean spaces across campus for use by nursing parents to express milk or feed infants.

Title IX Coordinator supportive measures, including time away and academic assistance

The SAFE Office supportive measures, including time away and academic assistance

Rice Wellbeing and Counseling Center confidential therapeutic support, and case management. 

Joint Campus Ministers- spiritual and religious guidance.

Academic 

Disability Resource Center provides academic accommodations for medical reasons

The SAFE Office provides supportive measures for pregnant and parenting students

Health Care

Aetna Student Health Insurance Rice University student health insurance, assists with referrals to providers

Student Health Services Well-person exams, reproductive health, and assistance with pregnancy health care. 

Baylor Teen Clinic  STI prevention, gynecological services, reproductive health

Planned Parenthood -  STI prevention, gynecological services, reproductive health

Legacy Community Health -  STI prevention, gynecological services, reproductive health, pediatrics 

Avenue 360 STI prevention, gynecological services, reproductive health, pediatrics

Hospitals-Maternity Care

St. Joseph Medical Center
Methodist Childbirth Center
Texas Children’s Pavillion for Women

HCA Houston Healthcare

Community Resources-Daycare

Workforce Solutions Child Care Assistance Scholarships

Workforce Solutions is interested in helping families by providing childcare scholarships for those who qualify.

United Way Call 211 for referrals to low-cost daycare

Community Resources-Supportive

Support Student Parents

Website for parenting students. 

Texas Parent Helpline
Texas Parent Helpline is a parent hotline that provides free information and referrals to counseling and thousands of other local services in communities across Texas to help you deal with the many challenges of parenting.

The Pregnant Scholar
The Pregnant Scholar Initiative is the nation’s first and only legal resource center for pregnant and parenting students. We aim to create an educational system where no student is asked to choose between their education and their family.