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Georgetown Law Student Advocates for Exam Accommodations Amid Pregnancy
Brittany Lovely is preparing for the arrival of her first child in early December, coinciding with her final exams at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. The timing of these events has prompted her to seek adjustments to her exam schedule.
To her dismay, when Lovely requested the possibility of taking her exams at an alternate time, her request was declined.
“I wasn’t looking for anything unreasonable,” Lovely shared. “I simply asked if I could take the exam earlier.”
The law school’s exam schedule is set from December 6 to 13, with potential deferral dates listed between December 16 and 18. These deferral dates are typically available for situations such as illness, a death in the family, or childbirth during the exam period, as noted on the university’s academic calendar.
Lovely’s due date is December 2, just days before her scheduled in-person exam on December 13. Research indicates that firstborn infants often deviate from their expected arrival time, complicating Lovely’s situation further, as indicated by a CNN report.
Additionally, Lovely highlighted systemic concerns regarding Black maternal mortality rates in DC, where Black mothers make up a disproportionate share of pregnancy-related fatalities—90% of such deaths among all births, according to the District of Columbia’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
Navigating this difficult situation, Lovely sought assistance.
Overcoming Institutional Barriers
In September, she engaged with a supportive Title IX official at the university, who provided valuable assistance. Title IX is a federal law aimed at preventing sex-based discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funding.
Together, they identified two potential solutions: an early exam or the option to take the exam remotely after giving birth—both of which were ultimately refused by the administration.
Afterwards, Lovely sought a meeting with university officials to discuss the denials further. In a Zoom meeting on October 15, administrators cited the institution’s honor code and stated policies against early exam take-home options.
“The meeting was discouraging,” Lovely recounted. “They insisted I must take the exam in-person at the specified times, leaving no flexibility.”
Officials even suggested that Lovely could have someone sit outside the exam room with her newborn to facilitate breaks during the test.
In a bid for clearer resolutions, Lovely prepared a detailed legal memo referencing Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act. After forwarding this memo to the dean, she was redirected back to the Title IX official for assistance.
Mobilizing Support for Change
When her attempts to effect change as an individual met roadblocks, her friends rallied to amplify her voice. They launched a petition that garnered support from over 7,000 students, faculty, alumni, and community members.
“I aimed for a non-confrontational resolution, but this was a wake-up call,” Lovely shared.
Eventually, the university responded by allowing an extra deferral date in January, aligning with historical patterns of exam scheduling.
Lovely expressed relief over the decision, which came only after significant public advocacy.
While a university spokesperson refrained from confirming specifics about Lovely’s experience, they asserted Georgetown’s commitment to provide a supportive environment for pregnant and parenting students, noting that accommodations and resources are available from the Office of Title IX Compliance.
Looking ahead, Lovely hopes that her situation will encourage systemic changes within the law school, aimed at better supporting future students facing similar challenges.
“I really want to see our school take a proactive role in supporting its students,” she remarked. “It’s imperative for policies to evolve to prevent others from encountering similar hurdles.”
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