Cal State University, Bakersfield has launched a new policy under Title IX.
Under the new Interim CSU nondiscrimination policy, all employees are now required to provide information about how to contact our office to a student when they disclose that they are pregnant. This measure ensures that students are informed about the accommodations available to them and can seek support as needed.
In California, an estimated 20% of all undergraduates are parenting students—486,454 students—and 181,182 students are single mothers, according to The Michelson Pregnant and Parenting Student Initiative, 2024.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, Title IX is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities.
Title IX would protect students in all the academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic and other programs or activities of schools.
CSUB is offering support to those in need of accommodation. Resources are available to pregnant or parenting students.
“CSU’s Title IX protections ensure equity for pregnant and parenting students by allowing tailored accommodations. Students should be able to continue their studies without being unfairly disadvantaged,” said Jorge Villatoro, assistant director of equity, inclusion and compliance who also serves as the deputy title IX co-coordinator.
Villatoro also mentioned all pregnant students who are currently enrolled in classes at the university are eligible to request pregnancy-related accommodations.
Nursing and meditation rooms are now available with three locations on campus. Student Housing West, Walter Stiern Library, and the Student Health Center.
“I mostly see students coming toward the end of the semester since they’re not advertised or promoted,” said Lily Dean a student assistant at Walter Stiern Library.
According to Villatoro, the policy is rooted in Title IX protections against sex discrimination, including pregnancy status. His office ensures the policy is communicated to students through campus-wide communications at the start of each academic year.
The most recent communication was sent on September 4, 2025, informing the campus community about their rights and the available accommodations.
For requesting pregnancy accommodations or assistant online visit
https://www.csub.edu/equity-inclusion-compliance/pregnant-and-parenting-student-rights.shtm
