Parenting on Campus

Wright State University offers parenting support to its staff, faculty, and student parents:

Daycare on Campus | Pregnancy Leave Policy | Housing for Student Parents | Lactation Rooms | Mothers Offering Mothers Support (MOMS) | Scholarships for Student Parents

Daycare on Campus

Daycare on campus is provided by the Wright State University Child Development Center (commonly known as Mini University or Mini-U), This Center, first accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in January 1990, offers quality early care and education for children 6 weeks to 12 years old.

Faculty Parental Teaching Relief and Leave Policies

The WSU parental teaching relief policy is described in the Agreement on Parental Accommodations on the WSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Web site. Additional provisions for faculty parents, such as sick leave and family and medical leave (FMLA), unpaid child-care leave, partial unpaid leave, and probationary period extensions, are described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Staff Leave Policy

Wright State University will grant a paid leave of absence to eligible university staff upon the birth or adoption of a child. Parental Leave is available to employees who:

• are birth or adoptive parents, or are the domestic partner of a birth or adoptive parent;
• have completed a minimum of one year of service as a WSU employee prior to the date the leave is to commence, and
• work at least 75% of full-time based on the most recent 12-month period.

Birth mothers are eligible for six weeks of leave. Fathers, adoptive parents and domestic partners are eligible for three weeks of leave. Paid Parental Leave does not accrue-it is a benefit available when applicable. The leave begins immediately following the birth of an employee’s child, or the adoption of a child under the age of six. Parental Leave is not intermittent, and may only be taken immediately following the birth or adoption.

Parental Leave will run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, except that should an employee’s Parental Leave entitlement exceed his or her FMLA leave entitlement, the Parental Leave will be granted in its entirety. Parental Leave will run concurrently with leave required by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA).

Employees should request Parental Leave in advance, when possible, on the Leave Request form forwarding a copy to the Department of Human Resources. Upon making a request for a Parental Leave, the employee may be required to provide documentation to support the impending birth or legal placement of a child.

Questions concerning eligibility should be directed to the Department of Human Resources. 

Adoption Assistance

Faculty Adoption Assistance

Faculty Adoption Assistance is described in Section 31.7 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is available on the WSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Web site. The text currently reads:

31.7 Adoption Assistance.

31.7.1 The university will reimburse Bargaining Unit Faculty Members up to $4,000 per child for eligible adoption related expenses upon placement of a minor child in the Member’s home. If two adopting parents of the same adopted child are both eligible for adoption assistance, the total maximum benefit amount for that adoption is $4,000.

31.7.2 Eligible adoptions:

• Adopted children must be under the age of 18.
• The children may be biologically related to either parent.
• Adoptions made through public, private, domestic, international, and independent means are eligible.

31.7.3 Eligible Expenses:

• Agency and placement fees
• Legal fees and court costs
• Required medical expenses for the child prior to adoption (including immunizations)
• Immigration fees
• Translation services
• Transportation and lodging expenses 

The following expenses are not eligible:

• Medical examination fees for the adopting parents
• Cost of personal items such as clothing and food for either the parents or the child
• Expenses incurred prior to eligibility for the program.

31.7.4 To receive adoption assistance a Bargaining Unit Member must fill out an application for adoption assistance and turn it in to the Department of Human Resources. (Adoption benefits may carry tax implications so Bargaining Unit Members are encouraged to consult their tax advisor.)

Staff Adoption Assistance

This benefit is forthcoming for WSU staff; please contact the Department of Human Resources.

Housing for Student Parents

Housing for student parents is available in the campus apartment community, The Village. This community designed for students with families or partners offers a choice of several floor plans and a playground and picnic area, in addition to other amenities. To get more information and begin the application process, visit the Residence Services Web site.

Lactation Rooms

Two lactation rooms are available on campus to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Located in the Television Center and the Student Union, the rooms offer a quiet space for nursing. For exact locations and other information, please download the informational flyer.

Mothers Offering Mothers Support (MOMS)

MOMS is a student organization that helps mothers while they earn their college degrees. All current or prospective mothers are invited to join. For more information, visit the MOMS Web site or call advisor Cindy Vanzant at (937) 775-4524.

Scholarships for Student Parents

The Women’s Center runs several scholarship competitions each year. The Wilda Murray Ehrenfried Scholarship, in particular, is intended to help provide funding for women with dependent children.