Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Policy Frequently Asked Questions
- What is “parental accommodation?”
- Who is eligible to be considered for parental accommodation?
- What does parental accommodation provide?
- What happens if I’m a GSI/GSSA?
- Who administers the policy?
- How is parental accommodation approved?
- What is the duration of the accommodation period?
- I would like to use four weeks now and two weeks at a later date. Is that possible?
- I’m an international student. Will my visa status affect parental accommodation?
- What should I do before I apply for parental accommodation?
- How will I be notified by Rackam OARD about my request?
- Where can I get a copy of the policy?
What is “parental accommodation?”
Parental accommodation allows a registered, full-time Rackham student, immediately following the birth of a child or adoption, to have a period up to six weeks of reduced activity and/or absence during which academic deadlines and expectations can be modified. This is not a leave of absence; the student remains enrolled full-time. In addition, students who have been granted parental accommodation are eligible to extend limits for time to candidacy and time to degree for up to one year.
Who is eligible to be considered for parental accommodation?
Full-time, enrolled Rackham graduate students in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward the degree, and who have completed at least one full-time semester of their degree program, are eligible. Students must be new parents or guardians who have experienced a birth or the adoption of a child under the age of 6 as a full-time responsibility. To be eligible, a student must be the birth mother, father or partner, or adoptive parent.
What does parental accommodation provide?
Parental accommodation has three parts:
Part One
Students may receive a parental accommodation period of up to six weeks immediately following the birth or adoption of a child. During this period, some academic deadlines and related expectations may be modified to allow the student to meet new responsibilities as a parent.
Part Two
For each childbirth or adoption, students may be granted an extension of up to one year for the time limits that Rackham’s academic policies set for achieving candidacy and finishing the degree.
Part Three
Under limited circumstances, and only for instances of childbirth, the Rackham Childbirth Accommodation Fund will reimburse programs and departments for the salaries and benefits of GSRAs when funding agencies do not permit temporary absences and students are not able to meet the full-time responsibilities of their appointment. This reimbursement is also available if a project deadline requires hiring a temporary replacement during the GSRA’s absence. The Rackham Childbirth Accommodation Fund will allow these GSRAs to receive their salary or stipend, benefits and associated tuition support during the six week accommodation period. If funding rules allow a period of reduced activity and absence, however, the grant will continue to pay the student’s support. Similarly, in rare instances, an external fellowship may require that stipend and benefits be suspended when a student is unable to work full-time. In such cases, the Childbirth Accommodation Fund will provide the student’s salary or stipend and benefits during the six-week parental accommodation period.
Only GSRAs or holders of certain restrictive fellowships are eligible for support from the Childbirth Accommodation Fund.
What happens if I’m a GSI/GSSA?
Students with GSI or GSSA appointments are eligible for the Parental Accommodation Period and the one-year extension to the maximum time limits to degree and candidacy for academic requirement. The contract between the University and the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), however, covers the terms of employment for students with these appointments.
Who administers the policy?
Rackham OARD administers the policy. Rackham Graduate Student Affairs can answer questions.
How is parental accommodation approved?
Requests for extension of time limits and Parental Accommodation require full communication with advisors and graduate chairs, and must receive approval from the student’s graduate program before authorization by OARD. Graduate students should initiate planning within the department, and submit a request and appropriate documentation of anticipated childbirth or adoption, well in advance of delivery or adoption.
What is the duration of the accommodation period?
A student is eligible for parental accommodation of up to six weeks immediately after the birth or adoption of the child. This period is limited to six weeks, including multiple births and simultaneous adoptions of two or more children. This accommodation period begins on the actual date of childbirth or adoption.
I would like to use four weeks now and two weeks at a later date. Is that possible?
The six week accommodation period must be used consecutively within six weeks immediately following the birth or adoption and may not be deferred past this time limit.
I’m an international student. Will my visa status affect parental accommodation?
Students on F-1 or J-1 visas should consult with the International Center about plans during the parental accommodation period, and to make sure their visa status is in good standing. Since parental accommodation requires full-time enrollment status, students should remain in good visa status for SEVIS requirements.
What should I do before I apply for parental accommodation?
Read the Rackham Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Policy and download the application. Students anticipating birth or adoption are strongly encouraged to talk with advisors and appropriate program administrators as far in advance of the anticipated due-date or adoption day as possible. The student and program advisor need to plan and adjust time-tables to allow the student to meet academic responsibilities; to adapt schedules for completing time-sensitive research presentations or reports; and, when necessary, to adjust schedules for coursework, qualifying examinations, grant and publication deadlines, dissertation committee meetings, and other important degree milestones. Doctoral candidates should notify all members of their committee about any adjustments to the dissertation completion calendar.
How will I be notified by Rackam OARD about my request?
OARD will notify relevant department and administrative offices that Parental Accommodation has been approved and the dates for which the period has been granted. Students will also receive a copy of the form once processed by Rackham. It is the student’s responsibility to work with faculty and program administrators to make arrangements for completing coursework and other academic requirements, and for how research activities will be handled before and following the period.
Where can I get a copy of the policy?
- The Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Policy
- Childbirth Accommodation Fund Request Form, Graduate Student Research Assistants
- Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Request Form
- Childbirth Accommodation Fund Request Form, External Fellowship Recipients
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