New York City Schools Face Backlash for Easing Protections for Pregnant Students

New York City Schools Shake Things Up for Pregnant Students

In a surprising twist, the City University of New York (CUNY), one of the largest university systems in the country, recently made some changes that many are raising eyebrows over. This comes on the heels of a move by the Trump administration that’s made waves across campuses, limiting schools’ liability in sexual misconduct cases. For pregnant students, that’s a pretty big deal.

What’s New at CUNY?

CUNY’s Graduate Center, which has over 3,000 students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, has decided to roll back protections that were especially designed to support pregnant students. An email sent out to staff revealed that professors and faculty are no longer obligated to give pregnant students info about the Title IX coordinator. Title IX is a federal law enacted back in 1972 aimed at preventing sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. This shift means that pregnant students won’t be informed of the rights and protections available to them under Title IX, which feels like a step backwards.

While the email did suggest that CUNY staff should help students who need support, it’s clear that the formal obligations are being scaled back. Furthermore, the school indicated that fewer employees are expected to report incidents that might be considered sexual misconduct. This change raises serious questions about student safety and support on campus.

The Bigger Picture

So, what’s the deal with all these changes? It all ties back to a recent decision made by the Trump administration, which announced in a “Dear Colleague” letter that they would stop enforcing regulations the Biden administration put in place last year. Instead, schools are going back to a set of 2020 regulations, which have been widely criticized for diluting the scope of Title IX protections.

Under the current regulations, students are facing several limitations. For example, schools are now required to hold live hearings, allowing both the accuser and accused to question one another. Plus, an institution’s ability to respond to sexual misconduct happening during study abroad programs has been curtailed. All of these changes contribute to an environment where many feel it’s harder to report incidents of harassment or discrimination.

What Do Advocates Say?

Advocates for women and pregnant individuals are understandably upset. They feel that the rollback of protections goes against the Republican party’s proclaimed values of family support and pro-life stances. Comments like those from Emma Grasso Levine, a policy manager at a significant advocacy organization, underscore this frustration. “The fact that the Trump administration is rolling back these protections just shows that they don’t actually care about pregnant people’s lives,” she said. She believes that if the administration genuinely cared about women’s rights, they’d be amplifying, not reducing protections.

Room for Improvement

Interestingly, experts in the field maintain that CUNY—or any other university—could choose to keep more robust protections in place even with the federal regulations being rolled back. Josia Klein from a well-known women’s law center explained that Title IX serves as a baseline, not a ceiling. Schools could still adopt best practices that promote the rights and protections of pregnant students.

Different Approaches Elsewhere

It’s notable that not every school is following CUNY’s lead. In contrast, California schools recently issued affirmations ensuring that local laws against discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation would stay intact, regardless of federal shifts. This decision exemplifies how regional governance can maintain standards that protect students.

Outlook and Concerns

As students head back to school, the uncertainty surrounding these changes leaves many feeling vulnerable. The need for clarity and consistent guidelines is more crucial than ever, and students are the ones who ultimately bear the brunt of these administrative decisions. It’s a rocky road ahead for anyone navigating the intersections of education, gender rights, and personal circumstances.