Georgia State student: School discriminates

She claims unfair treatment because she was pregnant.

A Georgia State University student is locked in a battle with the school over her claims that the university violated federal policy by not providing adequate options for her to complete coursework while pregnant.

The student, Whitney Shep- herd, 26, a senior chemistry major, asked for a laboratory assistant to perform experiments for a class after she disclosed her pregnancy in December. She said the request and other options, such as writing additional papers for the class, were denied. Shepherd and faculty were concerned about harmful effects of lab chemicals to her and the developing baby.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Shepherd, contends pregnancy is considered a temporary disability under the federal Title IX policy. Georgia State said Title IX does not include such requirements.

Shepherd’s attorneys gave The Atlanta Journal-Constitution a letter Georgia State sent the student that restated its position and disputed the accuracy of some of Shepherd’s claims.

“Ms. Shepherd has been afforded the equal access required by Title IX. ... She has not been required to take certain classes or prohibited from taking certain classes,” wrote Jeannie Barrett, Georgia State’s senior associate general counsel.

Shepherd, who had her child last month, believes the university’s position is discriminatory against women in a field of study where they are in small numbers.

“I want to represent all those women out t here who want careers in science and still want to be a mom and raise a family,” Shepherd, an aspiring chemist, saidin a phone interview Tuesday.

Emma Roth, an attorney representing Shepherd, said Tuesday that they are considering their next steps.

CONTRIBUTED Georgia State University student Whitney Shepherd holds her older son. She claims the school did not follow federal Title IX law.