Kaylee Gustin rises daily at 3 a.m. to attend to her 10-month-old child. She prepares a bottle, changes his diaper, and soothes him back to sleep within an hour. Upon their morning awakening, Gustin juggles her academic materials while managing their routine.
As a senior in public relations and a student parent, Gustin’s lifestyle diverges significantly from that of traditional students. Juggling her educational commitments with her child’s care sometimes entails missing classes when he’s unwell or structuring her schedule around his daycare hours.
On January 15, the University introduced HOP 3-3021, a policy aimed at safeguarding pregnant and parenting students from discrimination. This policy fills a previous void where no specific provisions existed for this demographic.
Adriana Alicea-Rodriguez, the Title IX Coordinator, emphasized that the new policy clarifies the rights of pregnant and parenting students and outlines the support available to address their needs, enabling them to navigate challenges while continuing their academic journey at the University.
Noteworthy changes in the policy include the provision for a leave of absence, eliminating the need for student parents to reapply upon their return, and the appointment of a student-parent liaison to facilitate access to resources. Additionally, pregnant and parenting students now have the privilege of early course registration, a measure implemented by the University in the previous semester.
While acknowledging these advancements, Gustin expressed a desire for more comprehensive support for pregnant and parenting students at the University. She advocated for the appointment of multiple liaisons to cater to the diverse needs of a campus as expansive as UT.
Alicea-Rodriguez reported a noticeable rise in the number of pregnant and parenting students reaching out to the Title IX office for assistance. This academic year alone, the office has supported 78 students, marking an increase from the previous year’s 62. Furthermore, there has been a surge in pregnant students proactively seeking accommodations.
Despite these positive developments, Gustin believes that there is still room for improvement in the University’s support system for pregnant and parenting students. She recounted her personal journey of leaving the University to care for her ailing mother in 2016, only to return seven years later after overcoming financial obstacles, now as a mother herself.
As a full-time student, Gustin faced challenges in securing childcare and suitable housing. Ultimately, she relocated to Round Rock to live with her family and enrolled her son in a nearby daycare facility.
Gustin highlighted the lengthy waitlist for on-campus daycare services and the center’s preference for faculty over student parents, coupled with the prohibitive costs that rendered the service inaccessible to many.
In collaboration with the Student Parent Organization, Gustin proposed the establishment of a dedicated space for parenting students on campus. Despite the hurdles she faced, Gustin commended the Title IX office for their unwavering support and efficient handling of academic accommodations.
Expressing her gratitude, Gustin praised the office’s dedication and responsiveness, emphasizing their commitment to providing timely and comprehensive assistance to students in need.