The Texas Abortion Ban and Title IX Plans: Institutional Support for Pregnant and Parenting Community College Students

Abstract

On May 19th, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 8, one of the most restrictive violations of reproductive freedom the country has ever seen. SB8 prohibits all abortions after fetal cardiac activity has been detected. The law also encourages Texas residents to report any individuals such as physicians, healthcare personnel or even drivers who may have played a role in “aiding or abetting” a patient to secure an abortion. Accused parties may be liable to a minimum fine of $10,000 if a successful lawsuit is led. As of September 1st, 2021, the Texas “Heartbeat Bill” has effectively banned abortions within the state despite its federal legalization in Roe. The extent of the ban’s far reaching consequences continue to be uncovered in real time, and its impact on pregnant and parenting community college students within the state is an area of concern.

Even before SB8, pregnant and parenting community college students have experienced a variety of challenges along their paths to degree completion. Despite the fact that a significant portion of all undergraduate student parents attend public two-year colleges (42% in the 2015-2016 school year), these institutions vary dramatically in the resources and support systems they provide for this demographic, especially in Title IX support. Title IX is notable for its legal protections against discrimination in admissions, coursework accommodations, leave policies, etc. for pregnant students. However, research has demonstrated that Title IX coordinators are under-supported in their jobs, and trends such as a lack of training or over-commitment of occupational responsibilities can prevent them from effectively meeting student needs.

This thesis examines the impact of SB8 on pregnant and parenting student access to Title IX resources and the ability as well as willingness of community college administrators to meet their needs, for example in offering these students accommodations or making referrals. Specifically, I ask to what extent has SB8 limited Title IX coordinators in supporting pregnant and parenting students in their educational trajectories?

Interviews with Title IX coordinators from a variety of community colleges were conducted to gauge 1) the scope of pregnant and parenting students’ challenges as well as 2) Title IX coordinator and/or institutional responses to SB8. Interviews with local reproductive access organizers were also conducted to analyze how reproductive justice perspectives have been applied to resource distribution in light of SB8. I find that Title IX coordinators have varied opinions on SB8’s impact on their jobs as well as on the future of pregnant and parenting students, but most suggested that the law would not have an immediate foreseeable impact on the type of institutional support available for pregnant and parenting students. Additionally, I find that Title IX office responses to SB8 vary according to the ability of individual coordinators to navigate school culture and community resources, suggesting that, more than ever before, in a post SB8 world, Title IX administrators have become key players in promoting reproductive justice and supporting degree completion among students at community colleges in conjunction with existing reproductive access organization resources.