Parenting and Pregnant Students
Saint Louis University is committed to supporting pregnant and parenting students as well as student with pregnancy related conditions. Regardless of the student's situation — married or single, individual or multiple children, alone or with support — SLU is here to help.
Saint Louis University is committed to providing an accessible environment through reasonable modifications in its educational programs and activities to all students and employees who are affected by pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions.
The University prohibits discriminating against or excluding a student from an educational program or activity on the basis of pregnancy or related condition. This prohibition extends to any police, practice, or procedure concerning past, present, or potential parental, family, or marital status that treats the student, employee, or applicant differently on the basis of sex. Pregnancy or related conditions shall be treated in the same manner as a temporary disability or physical condition in accordance with University policies and Federal law.
Examples of pregnancy and related conditions include, but are not limited to: childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, or medical conditions arising out of connection to the aforementioned conditions or recovery from the aforementioned conditions.
Virginia D. Murphy Pregnant and Parenting Student Assistance Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2008 to help SLU's student parents continue their education while raising children. The fund provides resources to help students stay on track toward earning a degree.
To apply for the Virginia D. Murphy Pregnant and Parenting Student Assistance Scholarship at SLU:
- Log in to the mySLU portal.
- Select Scholarship Suite icon.
- Complete the general application questions upon entering the site. (Remember to hit Finish and Submit)
- Click "Find the Scholarship" and apply!
To search for a scholarship hover pointer over "Opportunities" at the top and select "Ours."
Scholarships are available for fall beginning on or around October 1 and for spring semester on or around December 15. Please be sure to monitor your application to ensure completion of required items. You will be notified by email if you were selected as a recipient.
Please note: If you have questions please contact the Scholarship Area at sluscholarshiparea@slu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Pregnant students may continue to live in their residence halls until their babies are born.
Yes. The Title IX coordinator, or their designee, will provide reasonable modifications through an interactive and collaborative process with the student affected by pregnancy or a related condition to ensure access to a student’s education program or activity. Reasonable modifications will be made with the purpose of addressing a student’s individualized needs.
Reasonable modifications must not fundamentally alter the nature of a program or activity. Examples of modifications include, but are not limited to: breaks during class, intermittent absences, changes in schedule or course sequence, access to food or water, permission to sit or stand, counseling, a leave of absence.
The following are offices designated by the Title IX coordinator to engage in providing reasonable modifications to students affect by pregnancy or a related condition:
- Undergraduate and graduate students: Kendra Johnston, director of Center for Accessibility and Disability Services (CADR), Busch Student Center, suite 331, 314-977-3484, accessibility_disability@slu.edu
- Students in the School of Medicine: Adam Merando, associate dean of student affairs at the School of Medicine, Caroline Building – C100, 3556 Caroline Mall, St. Louis, Mo., 63104, 314-977-5960, adam.merando@health.slu.edu
- Students in the School of Law: Zach Wood, assistant director for accessibility and wellness in the School of Law, 100 N. Tucker Blvd, St. Louis, Mo., 63101, 314-977-3312, zach.wood@slu.edu
Some students may choose to take a leave of absence related to pregnancy or a pregnancy related condition. The Title IX coordinator, or their designee, may assist you in understanding your options related to a leave of absence or continuing your coursework.
If a student feels that they have been discriminated against on the basis of sex due to pregnancy or a related condition, they may submit a complaint in writing or orally to the Title IX coordinator per section 2.5 and 2.12 of the Title IX policy. The Title IX coordinator’s contact information is:
Anna Kratky
221 N. Grand
DuBourg Hall, room 36,
314-977-3838
anna.kratky@slu.edu
No. Classes are intended only for adult students. Therefore, it will be necessary to arrange for child care.
Possibly. Most insurance providers allow the insured person to add a dependent. Please check with your insurance provider for details.
Our philosophy is "no student should ever have to choose between having a child and receiving an education." The Virginia D. Murphy Endowment was established in 2008 to help SLU's student parents continue their education while raising children. The fund provides resources to help student parents stay on track toward earning a degree. For more information email ppsa@slu.edu.
Yes. There are designated lactation areas at Busch Student Center, the Student Health Center as well as many other locations.
Birthright St. Louis
There are four locations throughout Saint Louis including the Central West End, Brentwood,
Bridgeton and South County. Walk-ins are welcome for pregnancy tests.
Catholic Charities
Through the Good Shepherd Children and Family Services agency, Catholic Charities
provides prenatal services to expectant parents. Services include referrals for appropriate
medical care and housing, and adoption planning (as needed). Counseling addresses
decision making, parenting skills, stabilizing living situations, communication skills
within the family, relationships, problem-solving skills, and the legal rights and
responsibilities of both parents.
Child Care Aware
Missouri childcare referral database
ExceleRate Illinois
Illinois childcare referral database
Lutheran Family Services
Lutheran Family Services provides services to pregnant women through its Women In
Need Growing Stronger program. All services are confidential. If you are interested
in services, please call an intake specialist at 314-787-5100 or 1-866-326-LFCS.
St. Louis Area Diaper Bank
Provides assistance in accessing diapers or period supplies.
Sweet Babies
Provides assistance in accessing infant toiletries, clothing, and safe sleep materials.
Good Sheperd Children and Family Services
A Catholic Charities of Saint Louis Agency that provides free resources for pregnant
and parenting individuals, and individuals participating in adoptive and foster care
processes.
Crisis Nursery Saint Louis
Immediate access to a trauma-informed crisis intervention resource referral, respite
childcare, coordinate case management and parenting support, art and play and occupational
therapy.
Child Care Referral Databases
ExceleRate Illinois
ExceleRate is a comprehensive system that includes licensed child care centers, licensed
family/group child care homes, school-based pre-school programs, and Head Start/Early
Head Start Programs.