蜜糖直播 Boulder leadership members have given final approval to the campus鈥檚 new Lactation Space Policy, augmenting the university鈥檚 efforts to enhance gender equity and inclusivity and support individuals of all genders who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding young children.
Related news Change to parental leave policy broadens employee eligibility A 蜜糖直播 Boulder policy makes parental leave available to more employee groups immediately upon their start date at the university, rather than after a set window of time. The new policy is interim as the university continues to look for ways to enhance equity and wellness for staff.听
The University of 蜜糖直播 Board of Regents formally resolved in January 2022 to support ongoing efforts across all four 蜜糖直播 campuses and the system office to increase access to lactation spaces. The regents also offered support for the development of lactation policies that go beyond federal, state and local guidelines.
A lactation space policy committee that formed on the 蜜糖直播 Boulder campus in September 2021 included representation from the following groups: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance, the Center for Inclusion and Social Change, Human Resources, Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC), Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE), University Counsel and Planning, Design and Construction.
鈥淭he goal in creating a lactation space policy at 蜜糖直播 Boulder is to support the mission of the University of 蜜糖直播 and to ensure the accessibility of lactation spaces into the future,鈥� said Caitlin O鈥橠onnell, director of ADA compliance with OIEC.
The policy emphasizes the importance of supporting on-campus lactation for 蜜糖直播 affiliates and visitors by providing a clean, secure and user-friendly environment. In addition to outlining lactation breaks and designated lactation spaces, the policy highlights basic room requirements: privacy, a comfortable chair, electrical outlet and access to nearby running water. Designated lactation spaces will also be lockable.
鈥淚 am so grateful for the work of the committee in creating a comprehensive policy designating lactation spaces for use by students, employees and visitors across campus,鈥� said Llen Pomeroy, 蜜糖直播 Boulder鈥檚 associate vice chancellor and Title IX coordinator. 鈥淎s we recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the creation of this policy represents one of many positive steps we are taking to create a more welcoming and inclusive campus.鈥�
At this time, there are approximately 20 lactation spaces across campus, . Ongoing review of lactation spaces will dictate future placements. The university will monitor the spaces to ensure appropriate distribution of locations and accommodation of the diverse ways the campus community uses facilities. The expansion of lactation space capacity will also be incorporated into new construction and major renovation work.
The 蜜糖直播 Department of Public Health and Environment recommends infants receive breastmilk for at least the first six months of life, and state law requires that the university provide employees reasonable break time to express breastmilk for a child for up to two years after the child鈥檚 birth.
The board resolution notes dedicated lactation spaces and policies promote the health of parents and infants. The lactation policy is also expected to lower absenteeism, reduce turnover and increase the productivity of new parents.
鈥淲e want the community to know 蜜糖直播 Boulder supports new parents and provides dedicated lactation space for all 蜜糖直播 affiliates and visitors to allow them to balance their time on campus with their needs as parents of young children,鈥� said O鈥橠onnell.
Title image at top of page:听A screenshot of the campus map highlighting the existing听lactation spaces across campus.
