The ASUI Senate unanimously passed a resolution by Sen. Sierra Rothermich that would recognize the rights of pregnant students at the University of Idaho.
“Since ASUI has a history of supporting Title IX, I think it is really important that we bring this up now,” Rothermich said. She said she would like to work on a new project dedicating a day or week to educating students on the rights that they have under Title IX.
Rothermich said UI Parking and Transportation have no specific programs for pregnant students and were not aware of the Title IX policy.
The Senate voted, with two dissenters, to immediately consider the bill that was presented under new business.
Co-sponsor Sen. Hannah Spear proposed an amendment that would change the language of the resolution from providing pregnant students with a free gold parking to “parking and transportation services should comply with Title IX policies and take actions towards providing accommodations for the full term of their pregnancy by providing medical documentation.”
Spear said the change would fulfill the Title IX requirement and open up a conversation between departments on campus.
The amendment passed unanimously.
ASUI President Nicole Skinner updated the Senate on the two lunches she will host at the Wallace Residence Center Hub to meet with residence hall students and hear their concerns. Skinner said the main concern she heard was the early shutdown hours of food options on campus.
Skinner said the students said the later hours provide students with an opportunity to build a community. Skinner said that she is working with Sodexo to renegotiate their contract by adding in expectation for the company to maintain longer hours at on-campus food establishments.
Ellamae Burnell can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EllamaeBurnell