Parental Arrangement and Resources for Parents

The Laney Graduate School has a parental arrangement policy for students with parental responsibility due to childbirth, the care of a newborn, or a newly adopted child. This policy ensures that Laney Graduate School (LGS) students receive a minimum level of arrangements and academic modification while welcoming a new child into their family. All enrolled doctoral students in good academic standing are eligible for these arrangements. Students receiving stipend support will continue to receive this assistance throughout the arrangement period. 

Graduate students should develop and discuss plans with their advisors and Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)/Program Director (PD) and consult the LGS Student Affairs Assistant Dean as needed.  

LGS students designated as caregivers who have parental responsibility may be allowed parental arrangements and academic modification(s) of graduate responsibilities for up to eight weeks after the birth or adoption of a child. Students may use four of those weeks before the anticipated birth or adoption date. Modifications, including length of time for master's students, are based on a case-by-case basis and worked out between the student, academic program advisor, and the DGS depending on the students' stage of degree progress, i.e., coursework, teaching, research, and nature of the research environment. Students are not employees and thus are not subject to Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions. For detailed policies, consult the LGS Handbook. 

How to Request a Parental Arrangement:

  • Students should develop an arrangement plan guided by the policies in the LGS Handbook with their advisor, PI funder (if applicable) and DGS/ PD. When you submit a request form, you must attach a PDF of this plan.
  • The parental arrangement request form is in the Laney Connect Hub, in the "Enrollment" section. Log in with your Emory credentials, follow the instructions, and locate and submit the form.
  • When you submit the form, you'll receive a confirmation email, and your program administrator will receive a copy. 
  • LGS will process your request and let you know when it is complete. 

Returning from Parental Arrangement 

This guidance supports students returning to full academic responsibilities following Parental Arrangements. Students who are new parents may require special provisions when returning to the classroom or research responsibilities. Students should ensure these provisions do not interfere with returning to complete academic duties. Students should make every effort to minimize absence from academic obligations. Requirements may vary but include lactation. 

Develop a Plan: 

  • Students should develop a written plan when returning to full academic responsibilities with their advisors and DGS / PD with consultation from LGS Student Affairs Assistant Dean if needed. 
  • Students should share their plan with any faculty member instructing a course or supervising research when provisions are needed. 
  • If faculty members or students have any questions about arrangements or implementation, they may reach out to the program DGS or LGS Student Affairs Assistant Dean. 
  • Lactation Policy for Returns 
    • Lactation: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), all students who breastfeed their child are permitted reasonable break time to express milk throughout the day for the time they elect to breastfeed. Therefore, the university will provide lactation rooms and private areas across its campus. These areas will be in a space other than a bathroom. These areas must be shielded from view and free from the intrusion of other individuals. These private spaces may or may not be specifically for nursing; however, they will be made available when needed and meet specific criteria set forth by federal regulations and the university as outlined in this policy.Faculty members and Advisors must make every effort to give students a reasonable break to express milk as frequently as needed. Please speak with the student, program DGS, or LGS Student Affairs Assistant Dean if issues arise. The frequency of breaks and the duration of each interval will vary according to the individual and mother's physical needs. Faculty should remember that expressing milk is a necessity for some mothers. Such accommodation should permit mothers who need to express breast milk to visit lactation rooms, use a private room during class, lab, or exam times, or turn off their cameras while pumping or breastfeeding. Faculty should work with students to manage their schedules. 

Resources for Parents

LGS provides robust benefits to students, including resources for caregivers: 

  • Emory Childcare Network 
  • Childcare Consultations 
  • Back-Up Care Advantage Program 

EMORY CHILDCARE NETWORK

LGS Students can access the Emory Childcare network, which provides Emory parents discounts and priority admissions at over 175 licensed childcare centers throughout Metro Atlanta. 

Visit the Emory Child Care Network page for a list of participating childcare centers. 

CHILDCARE CONSULTATIONS

LGS students are eligible for a free consultation with an Emory Work Life specialist who can help new and expectant parents navigate: 

  • Locating childcare 
  • Addressing family caregiving issues for adults in your life 
  • Available financial resources 
  • Individual and departmental/ program flexibility consultations 

To schedule a consultation, contact the Benefits and WorkLife Department at 404-727-7613 or email worklife@emory.edu. 

BACK-UP CARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAM

In partnership with Bright Horizons and the Emory WorkLife Resource Center, the Laney Graduate School is pleased to offer the Back-Up Care Advantage Program to all Laney Graduate School degree-seeking students. 

Back-Up Care provides affordable, fast, and secure care to help students when breakdowns in routine care arrangements occur that would otherwise cause them to be unable to meet their educational responsibilities. Care is available for any age loved one — infants through elders. Care options include center-based childcare, in-home well and mildly ill childcare, and in-home adult/elder care. The program provides a nationwide network of high-quality, licensed childcare centers and in-home care agencies. 

Emory is subsidizing the cost of this benefit to make back-up care more affordable. The co-pay (cost to you) is $15 per child per day, with a maximum of $25/family/day for center-based childcare and $6/hour for in-home care (child or adult). The benefit provides up to 10 days of Back-Up Care per calendar year and is limited to no more than three consecutive uses. Graduate students also have free access to Sittercity, an online service that can help you manage anticipated care and work-life needs. You can locate and hire nannies and babysitters for evening and weekend care, house cleaners, pet care, test prep and tutoring, and much more. 

Learn more about the Back-Up Care Advantage Program at the links on the right. If you have more questions, contact the Emory WorkLife Resource Center.