FAQs

I think I’m pregnant. Where can I go for a pregnancy test?
Health Services offers pregnancy testing. Call 401.865.2422 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, to set up a confidential appointment.

My pregnancy test came back positive. I feel overwhelmed, anxious, and scared. Can I speak with someone?
If you would like to speak with a health services professional at the Student Health Center, please call the office at 401.865.2422 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm to set up an appointment.

If you would like to speak with a counselor at the Personal Counseling Center, please call the office at 401.865.2343 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm and specify that your matter is urgent. For after-hours mental health support, call 401-865-2343 and press option 2 to speak with an on-call crisis counselor.

If you would like to speak with a campus minister, please call the office at 401.865.1255 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. If it is not during business hours, please call 401.451.8024.

If I’m pregnant, will I have to leave the College?
No. If you wish to stay at Providence College, you will receive the full support of the College community. Students are often concerned they will receive a negative reaction from the College, perhaps even face some type of disciplinary action, as a consequence of becoming pregnant, but this is not true. The College will do all it can to accommodate your needs and concerns regarding coursework and housing. As a Catholic and Dominican institution, Providence College is committed to life and to providing resources that support the choice of life.

Will I have to move off-campus?
It is important that any Providence College student feels fully welcome and part of this community. Pregnant students can remain in their residence hall provided they are physically able. Though we are not equipped to provide on-campus housing for families – parent or parents and a child – Student Affairs is committed to working with students to explore suitable housing options off-campus.

Where can I go to receive medical care during my pregnancy?
The Providence College Student Health Center can help arrange a referral to an off-campus provider for nutritional and medical care throughout your pregnancy.

Does the College have a pregnancy support advocate?
The College has identified Pregnancy Support Advocates who can provide you with information, resources and assistance, while also protecting your privacy:

Tiffany Gaffney
Assistant Vice President/Associate Dean of Students
tgaffne1@providence.edu or 401.865.2191

Kevin Hillery
Associate Director of Residence Life
khillery@providence.edu or 401.865.1955

Dr. Mary Harmon
Associate Professor of Psychology
mharmon@providence.edu or 401.865.2612

Who can help me sort through all of the decisions I need to make?
While we have provided contact information for several on-campus and off-campus resources, we recommend students first seek support at the Student Health Center. If you would like to speak with a health services professional at the Student Health Center, please call the office at 401.865.2422 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm to set up an appointment.

The Personal Counseling Center offers confidential services of caring, competent, and highly trained counselors to help you explore your feelings- about yourself, the father/mother of the child, your family and friends – and help you cope with any pregnancy-related issues you may be facing. To make an appointment at the Counseling Center, call 401.865.2343.

Also, Campus Ministry offers the services of trained pastoral ministers in a caring, supportive, nonjudgmental environment to help you consider the spiritual dimensions and issues that accompany an unplanned pregnancy. To make an appointment with a campus minister, call 401.865.1255.

My friend is pregnant. Is support available for me?
Friends of pregnant students are welcome to contact Pregnancy Support Advocates to discuss how they might support their pregnant friend. Friends may also set up an appointment at the Personal Counseling Center by calling 401.865.2343 to receive support.

My girlfriend is pregnant but does not attend Providence College. I want to know how best to help and support her as we both face big decisions. Is there someone who can help me sort through my feelings?
Yes. Counselors and/or campus ministers can help you process your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors regarding the pregnancy-related decisions you face. To set up an appointment at the Personal Counseling Center, call 401.865.2343. To set up an appointment with a campus minister, call 401.865.1255.

I am a student in the graduate school or the school of continuing education (SCE). Are these pregnancy resources available for me or my spouse?
Campus Ministers and Pregnancy Support Advocates are available to provide direct support to students in the graduate school or the school of continuing education. While Health Services does not treat graduate or SCE students, they will provide you a referral to an off-campus provider for nutritional and medical care throughout your pregnancy. Similarly, the Personal Counseling Center will be able to provide a referral for you to a local, off-campus provider.

Are there places on campus designated for students to pump breast milk?
Yes. Students seeking to secure private space on campus in which to pump breast milk should contact a Student Support Advocate.

I’m an international student. How will this pregnancy impact my ability to remain in the country?
Experiencing a pregnancy and/or becoming a parent while you are in a foreign country can be scary. It is important to remember that you are not alone and there are resources available to assist you. As an international student on an F-1 visa, if you are pregnant or become pregnant, you may remain in the US on F-1 status and must continue to meet the requirements of your F-1 status in order to remain in status (i.e. attend classes, take 12 or more credits per semester if an undergraduate student and 9 or more credits if a graduate student). Because visa status can be complex, you are strongly encouraged to contact a Pregnancy Support Advocate; you also may wish to seek advice from an immigration attorney. It is also important to check your health insurance plan to confirm it covers maternity care as medical expenses can be very costly.

I have questions that are not included on this FAQ page. Where can I get answers?
If you or your partner are pregnant, you likely have many questions. The College has identified Pregnancy Support Advocates who can provide you with information, resources and assistance, while also protecting your privacy.

FAQs for Pregnant/Parenting Student-Athletes

If you become pregnant while participating on a Providence College Intercollegiate Athletic team please know that Providence College and the Department of Athletics is committed to protecting your physical and psychological health during and following your pregnancy. There are many individuals on campus who are prepared to assist and support you through your pregnancy. If you become pregnant, we encourage you to speak with someone on campus who can support you during this time. Our goal is to assist you in achieving your academic and athletic goals while protecting your health and well-being and the health and safety of your pregnancy.

As a pregnant student athlete, will I be permitted to remain a member of my athletic team?
As long as you do not voluntarily withdraw from your team, you will remain a member of the program and may continue to benefit from services provided to all student-athletes including academic support and medical services. You may continue to practice with your team, possibly with modified workouts, until medical leave is mandated by health care providers.

Will my athletic eligibility be affected by my pregnancy?
NCAA Bylaw 12.8.1.5 allows institutions to grant a one-year extension within the standard five-year period of eligibility to a female student athlete due to pregnancy. In addition, for the purpose of a medical hardship waiver per NCAA Bylaw 12.8.4, pregnancy is considered an incapacitating illness or injury. Therefore, a female student athlete may quality for a medical hardship waiver to retain a season of competition, provided she meets all the other hardship waiver requirements.

I have an athletic scholarship—can it be cancelled or non-renewed due to my pregnancy?
Per NCAA Bylaw 15.3.4.3, an institution may not reduce or cancel athletically related aid because of an injury, illness or physical or mental medical condition. As such, Providence College will not reduce or cancel your aid during the period of the award because of pregnancy. As outlined in the grant-in-aid agreement, Providence College will only reduce or cancel your athletic aid during the period of the award based on voluntary withdrawal from the program, rendering yourself ineligible for intercollegiate competition, fraudulently misrepresenting information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement, engaging in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty, engaging in activity that does not comply with local, state and federal law, engaging in conduct that results in disciplinary action from Providence College or failure to comply with your team’s written policies and procedures governing student athlete conduct. Please note that if you provide written notification of transfer to the institution, your athletic grant-in-aid may be reduced or cancelled at the end of the regular academic term in which written notification of transfer is received.

I am a male student athlete and will be (or am) the father of a child. Who can I talk to for emotional support?
While you will not be affected by physical changes associated with pregnancy, you may suffer psychological stress, have concern about the health of your pregnant partner and her pregnancy, and question your readiness for fatherhood and the obligations you face. We encourage you to discuss these issues with your partner, a Pregnancy Support Advocate, a member of the personal counseling center, a member of the athletic training staff, or any other support system you and your partner may have formed. You should also know that Title IX protects you from being discriminated against because of your partner’s pregnancy or your status as a parent.

The following Athletic Department staff members are also available to serve as a resource for student athletes who have additional questions or concerns regarding pregnancy or parenting issues.

• Jill LaPoint – Deputy AD/SWA – jlapoint@providence.edu 401-865-2588
• John Rock – Sr. Associate AD SA Health and Wellness – jrock@providence.edu 401-865-2262
• Kristen Duhamel – Associate AD Sports Medicine – kduhamel@providence.edu 401-865- 2260
• Joe Nicastro – Associate AD Compliance – jnicast1@providence.edu 401-865-2518

Click on the NCAA policies for pregnant and parenting student athletes for additional information.