Student Rights, Support & Accommodations
At College of the Mainland, your safety, well-being, and academic success come first. Whether you need confidential emotional support, academic accommodations for pregnancy or parenting, or educational videos explaining your rights, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Confidential Support vs. Official
Understanding the difference between confidential resources and official college reporting helps you choose the option that feels right for you.
Confidential Resources
If you want to talk to someone in complete privacy, these professionals can provide medical care, emotional support, and crisis intervention without sharing your information with college administrators:
- COM CARES (Campus Counseling Services): Free, short-term mental health counseling for students.
- Location: Student Center, Room 100
- Resource & Crisis Center of Galveston County: 24/7 emergency shelter, crisis hotline, and victim advocacy.
- 24/7 Phone: 409-765-7233 or 1-888-919-7233
- Bay Area Turning Point: 24/7 shelter, counseling, and legal support for survivors of sexual assault and domestic
violence.
- 24/7 Phone: 281-286-2525
- National Crisis Hotlines:
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Non-Confidential Support
Reporting to the Title IX Coordinator, Campus Police, or COM Staff allows the college to step in with official supportive measures (such as class adjustments, schedule changes, or mutual no-contact directives). Under Texas law, most college employees are mandated reporters and must notify the Title IX Office when told about sexual misconduct.
Pregnant & Parenting Student Rights
Under Title IX, students cannot be discriminated against based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery. You have full legal protection to stay on track toward your degree.
Protections & Accommodations
- Excused Absences: Absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, or medical recovery are excused for as long as your doctor states it is medically necessary.
- Academic Adjustments: You are entitled to reasonable classroom accommodations, such as larger desks, frequent bathroom breaks, or extended deadlines for assignments.
- Making Up Missed Work: Upon returning from medically necessary leave, you must be given the chance to make up missed work and be restored to the same academic status you held prior to your leave.
- Lactation Spaces: COM provides private, clean campus lactation spaces for nursing parents.
Community Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Colleges cannot require a pregnant student to provide a doctor’s note in order to stay in class or participate in activities, including interscholastic sports, unless the same requirement to obtain a doctor’s note applies to all students being treated by a doctor.
No. Any such requirement would violate Title IX. COM may offer separate programs for a pregnant student, but participation in those programs must be completely voluntary. A pregnant student must be allowed to remain in her regular classes and college if she so chooses.
Yes. Title IX requires a college to excuse a student’s absences due to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences to be medically necessary.
Yes. Title IX prohibits a college from excluding a pregnant student from any part of its educational program, including all extracurricular activities, such as college clubs, academic societies, honors programs, or interscholastic sports.
Yes. Title IX prohibits harassment of students based on sex, including harassment because of pregnancy or related conditions. Harassing conduct can take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, graphic and written statements, and other conduct that may be humiliating, physically threatening, or harmful.
Yes. Title IX requires colleges to provide the same special services to pregnant students that it provides to students with temporary medical conditions.
Every college that receives federal financial assistance is bound by Title IX. Colleges must ensure that the policies and practices of individual faculty members do not discriminate against pregnant students.
To ensure a pregnant student’s access to regular classes, when necessary, a college must make adjustments to the regular program that are reasonable and responsive to the student’s temporary pregnancy status. For example, a college might provide a larger desk, allow frequent trips to the bathroom, or permit temporary access to elevators.
Empowering a safe Campus Community
College of the Mainland has partnered with SafeColleges (Vector Solutions) to provide essential online training modules. These courses are designed to equip you with the knowledge to stay safe on campus and ensure the college remains compliant with federal legislation, including Title IX and the Campus SaVE Act.
- Title IX: Understanding your rights, protections, and reporting options.
- Sexual Violence Awareness: Education on the Campus SaVE Act and prevention strategies.
- Alcohol & Drugs: Vital information on substance awareness and personal safety.
- Hazing Prevention: Identifying misconceptions and avoiding common pitfalls in student groups.
Who Needs to Complete Training?
First-Time Logging In to the SafeColleges Training?
- Check Your Email: Look for an invitation from COM sent to your COM student email address. (Search: SafeColleges Student Online Training)
- Access the Portal: Click the link in your email or use the "Access Safe Colleges" button above.
- Enter Credentials:
- * Username: Your COM Student ID Number.
- Password: The first five digits of your Student ID Number.
- Update Password: You will be prompted to change your password after your initial login for added security.
Educational Awareness Videos
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Equal Opportunity and Title IX
Learn about rights, policies, and resources
College of MainlandStudent Center, Room 229
1200 Amburn Rd
Texas City, TX 77591
