“I've been pumping in the parking deck when I have to make milk for my baby”: University responses to the needs and perceptions of pregnant and parenting students

The demographic profile of college students has undergone significant change in recent years. Although most institutions of higher education are designed for the traditional student, 38% of college and university students are currently classified as non-traditional and over half are parenting at least one child. Recognition of the need for tailored support services is growing, yet few studies have examined the experiences of or institutional responses to pregnant and parenting (P&P) students. Assisting P&P students in their efforts to obtain post-secondary education can affect future health outcomes for both students and their families. A case study was conducted in a mid-sized state university to examine the needs and experiences of P&P students as well as the university's response to serving this population. Indepth interviews (N=61) with students, staff, faculty, and key informants were conducted and documents describing student services and institutional policies were reviewed. Results highlight a lack of policies and support services available to meet the needs of this population as well as a sense of isolation and invisibility for P&P students on campus. The lack of stated policies led to variation in practices and placed significant burden on P&P students and faculty. In addition, campus perceptions of the population centered on young single mothers and did not account for the diversity in sex, age, and marital status of the P&P students who participated in the study. Recommendations for both policy and services are provided and implications for universities across the nation are discussed.