Childbirth Accommodation Policy 

The Stony Brook Childbirth Accommodation Policy (SB-CAP) enables pregnant and child-bearing graduate students to maintain full-time, registered-student status and facilitates their return to full participation in class work, research, teaching, and clinical training.

SB-CAP includes provisions for academic extensions and relief from regular teaching, research, clinical, or training duties. For students receiving stipend support as Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, or Research Assistants, the Graduate School also provides interim financial support. The SB-CAP guidelines encourage open communication among students, their advisors, Graduate Program Directors (GPD) and supervisors; the goal is to accommodate students' needs while minimizing the disruption to their graduate training activities and responsibilities.

Under current policy, graduate students must inform their GPDs, advisors and whomever they are working closely with (i.e professor) that they wish to take leave by the 24th week of pregnancy. Students must have the knowledge and consent of their advisors, GPDs, professors and a doctor's note to be eligible. International students also need to consult with Visa and Immigration Services.

NOTE: Procedural clarification on duration of support under SBU-CAP

• Research Assistant/University Fellow -12 weeks
• State Graduate Assistant (GA)- 1 semester
• State Teaching Assistant (TA)- 1 semester

Please contact Lori Carron at lori.carron@stonybrook.edu with questions or concerns.