Reproductive Health Task Force

Formed in early June by the Office of the Provost in coordination with the chancellor’s office, Vanderbilt’s university-wide task force is focusing on the impact of the Supreme Court’s June 24 decision to overturn federal abortion rights and a subsequent statewide abortion ban.

One of 13 states where trigger laws largely banning abortions have come into force following the court’s decision, Tennessee’s ban on abortions, that took effect Aug. 25, 2022, criminalizes all abortion but includes an affirmative legal defense for medical providers when the care provided was necessary to protect the life of the pregnant individual or to prevent substantial harm to their physical health.

Provost C. Cybele Raver charged the task force with identifying, and finding solutions for, impacts to clinical care, student and employee health and educational instruction, while also helping to drive academic discussion and programming to promote robust discourse and civic engagement around this important topic.

As part of this effort, the university is coordinating closely with leadership at the Divinity School, Law School, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing and our partners at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Based on the findings of the task force, the university will provide updates regarding the decision’s impact on the Vanderbilt community, measures to address the impact and opportunities for discussion and debate.

Read Chancellor Diermeier's message to the campus community, sent on the day of the Supreme Court decision.

View the Aug. 10 town hall on reproductive health.

Read updates on the staff paid parental leave policy.

Read updates on the new reproductive health and parenting resource coordinator.

Task Force Members by Committee

Practical Implications for Vanderbilt Students, Faculty, and Staff

Health benefits, access to care, and liability
Members:
Ronald Alvarez, Chairman and Clinical Service Chief, Obstetrics and Gynecology
G.L. Black, (Co-Chair) Dean of Students and Vice Provost for Student Affairs 
Tanya Brown, Senior Director of HR Consulting and Employee and Labor Relations
Louise Hanson, Internal Medicine, Medical Director, Student Health Center
Pam Jones, (Co-Chair) Associate Vice Chancellor for Health and Wellness
Katherine Keith, Senior Communications Strategist for Community Engagement, Communications and Marketing
Leigh Shoup, Director of Administration, Health and Wellness
Michelle Tellock, Deputy General Counsel
Catherine Wood, Executive Director of University Benefits
Non-Health Implications for Vanderbilt Students, Faculty, and Staff

Impact on teaching, research, faculty-student relations, recruitment, safety, etc.
Members:
Donald Brady, Senior Associate Dean for Health Science Education, Vanderbilt University
Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine
Executive Vice President for Educational Affairs, VUMC
Melinda Buntin, (Co-Chair) Mike Curb Professor and Chair, Department of Health Policy, School of Medicine
Chris Guthrie, Dean, Vanderbilt Law School
John Wade–Kent Syverud Professor of Law
Pamela Jeffries, Dean, Vanderbilt School of Nursing
Valere Potter Distinguished Professor of Nursing
Velma McBride Murry, Associate Provost
Mavis Schorn, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academics, Vanderbilt School of Nursing
Effective Engagement Around the Issues Raised by this Critical Event

Creative solutions that the University can deploy to better understand and respond to the decision
Members:
Sophie Bjork-James, Assistant Professor, Anthropology
Rory Dicker, Director, Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Tracey George, (Co-Chair) Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Charles B. Cox III and Lucy D. Cox Family Chair in Law and Liberty, Law School
Professor, Political Science
Pam Jones, Associate Vice Chancellor for Health and Wellness
Associate Professor, School of Nursing
Former Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Community Partnerships
Princine Lewis, (Co-Chair) Director of Issues Management, Communications and Marketing
Nathan Green, Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations
Civil Discourse and Debate, Inclusive of Multiple Perspectives

Processes, language, and structures that the University can use to address large social and/or political changes
Samar Ali, (Co-Chair) Research Professor of Political Science and Law, Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy Founder and CEO, Millions of Conversations
André Christie-Mizell, Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Dean of the Graduate School
Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Centennial Professor of Sociology
Katherine Keith, Senior Communications Strategist for Community Engagement, Communications and Marketing
Emilie Townes, Dean, Vanderbilt Divinity School
University Distinguished Professor of Womanist Ethics and Society, Divinity School
University Distinguished Professor of Gender and Sexuality, College of Arts & Science
Kosha Tucker, (Co-Chair) Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost
Other Task Force Members

Velma McBride Murry, Associate Provost (Task Force Chair)
Lois Audrey Betts Chair, Education and Human Development, Peabody College
University Professor, Department of Human and Organizational Development
University Professor, Department of Health Policy, VUMC
Lois Audrey Betts, (Chair) Education and Human Development, Peabody College
University Professor, Department of Human and Organizational Development
University Professor, Department of Health Policy, VUMC
Mya Batton, Senior Director, Office of Risk and Insurance Management
Tara McKay, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Health and Society
Affiliated Faculty in the Department of Sociology
Affiliated Faculty in the Department of Health Policy at VUMC
Affiliated Faculty in the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health
Adrienne Hiegel, Consultant, Office of the Provost

Resources

Reproductive Health, Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

Following is a list of new and existing resources for the Vanderbilt University community.

Program	How to Access	Available to
Paid Parental Leave (Updated) Leave for activities related to the care and well-being of their newborn or adopted child. Current program for faculty continues as-is, and the program for eligible staff is expanded to eight weeks.	Details on the updated program for staff, including instructions for how to apply, can be found here. Details for faculty are in the Faculty Manual.	Staff Faculty
Short-Term Medical Leave Provides income replacement for those unable to work for an extended period due to an approved medical condition.	Details for faculty are in the Faculty Manual	Faculty
Short-Term Disability Insurance Provides income replacement for those unable to work for an extended period due to an approved medical condition.	Details available on the Human Resources website	Full-time Benefit Eligible Staff
Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator - Office of Health and Wellness (New) First point of contact for pregnant individuals at the university who need assistance and support – engaging in unbiased conversations and helping coordinate care through campus offices and resources.	Details available here.	All students Faculty Staff Postdoctoral scholars
Employee Critical Support Fund (formerly Employee Hardship Fund) Aids with unexpected expenses, including costs related to any medical procedure not available in Tennessee	Details on how to apply, will be shared in the coming weeks.	Faculty Staff Postdoctoral scholars
Student Critical Support Fund (formerly the Student Hardship Fund) Aids with unexpected expenses, including costs related to any medical procedure not available in Tennessee	Details on how to apply, will be shared in the coming weeks.	All students
Student Health Center Provides sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptive care	Contact Vanderbilt’s Student Health Center for more information.	All students
Title IX office Provides accommodations and support for persons who are pregnant or experiencing any pregnancy-related condition	Submit accommodation requests here.	All students Faculty Staff Postdoctoral scholars

Additional Resources

University Counseling Center	Call 615-322-2571 to speak with an on-call behavioral health provider
Student Care Coordination	Schedule an appointment online or call 615-343-WELL (9355)
Center for Student Wellbeing	Call 615-322-0480 to schedule an appointment
Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center	Call 615-322-4843 for assistance
Project Safe	Call 615-322-7233 hotline for support
Center for Spiritual and Religious Life	Call 615-322-2457 for support
Employee Assistance Program	Call 615-936-1327 for a confidential appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the longer paid maternity leave take effect?

Starting on Sept. 1, 2022, paid parental leave can be used anytime during the first four months following the birth or adoption of a child.
Q: Who qualifies as an employee? Does this include part-time employees?

Parental leave applies to all staff who are full time benefits eligible. Postdoctoral scholars are also eligible. All other classifications including part time and VTS staff are not eligible.
How do I apply for the paid parental leave?

You do not need to complete anything to use paid parental leave. However, you must be eligible for the benefit and must be approved for leave (FMLA, TMLA, Non-FMLA) to use the benefit.

It is also important for you to work with your supervisor and HCM (department HR person) as appropriate to map out their anticipated paid leave, and to enter paid parental leave in Oracle before each payroll cutoff date.
How will the new Parental Leave policy interact with short-term disability?

Eligible staff will be able to use paid parental leave in coordination with short-term disability benefits. However, short-term disability and paid parental leave cannot be used for the same period of time.
Example:

After the birth of child, a staff member may choose to use paid parental leave for week 1 and week 2. Then receive short term disability benefits for week 3 through week 8. Then use the remaining paid parental leave for weeks 9 through week 14.
Will the paid parental leave be retroactive for staff who had their baby prior to Sept. 1, 2022, and only received 2 weeks of paid parental leave?
Staff who have already used the two weeks of paid parental leave under the current policy, will be able to use up to six additional weeks of paid parental leave starting on Sept. 1, 2022, however, the leave must be used prior to four months after the birth of child/adoption. (See examples below).

Examples:
- A staff member who had a baby on Aug. 1, 2022 and used parental leave from Aug. 1 through Aug. 12 will be able to use paid parental leave beginning on Sept. 1 and would be able to use up to six weeks of paid parental leave prior to Nov. 1, 2022.
- A staff member who had or adopted a baby on June 6,2022 and used parental leave from June 6 through June 19 will be able to use paid parental leave beginning on Sept. 1 and would be able to use about 4.5 weeks of paid parental leave prior to their return-to-work date of Oct. 3, 2022.
If four months has passed since the birth of child or adoption, you would not be eligible for any additional time.
How do I receive paid parental leave pay?

You will need to enter the paid parental leave paid code in Oracle for the period of time that you are out of work. The pay will be received as part of your regular pay cycle.
I would like to take time off to bond with my new baby who was birthed by a surrogate. Can I still use the paid parental leave?

Yes, the paid parental leave is available to both parents for bonding time with a new baby, however that baby has come into your life (surrogate, adoption, gestational carrier, etc.)
Do I have to use the paid parental leave all at one time?

No, you do not have to use all the paid parental leave at one time.
Example:
After the birth of child, a staff member may choose to use paid parental leave for week 1 and week 2. Then receive short term disability benefits for week 3 through week 8. Then use the remaining paid parental leave for weeks 9 through week 14.

Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

Are there any plans to increase access to resources that trainees need as parents?

The resources available to postdoc trainees include the new reproductive health and parenting resource coordinator who will serve as the first point of contact for pregnant individuals at the university who need assistance and support—engaging in unbiased conversations and helping coordinate care through campus offices and resources.

Postdocs also have the option to apply for financial support through the Employee Critical Support Fund, which aids with unexpected expenses, including costs related to medical procedure not available in Tennessee.
Is emergency contraception available?

Emergency contraception pills are free to students at Student Health.
IUD placements for emergency contraception for students on the Student Health Insurance Plan are free at Student Health.
Students with other types of insurance are referred to the obstetrics and gynecology department at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and their insurance will be billed for the IUD placement; most insurances fully cover emergency contraception.
Faculty and staff should contact their health care provider.
Does Aetna cover abortion care for faculty and staff?

Aetna’s current coverage for university faculty and staff only covers medically necessary abortion procedures consistent with Tennessee law.
Could students and employees seeking out-of-state procedures use the Employee and Student Critical Support Funds to help alleviate travel expenses?

Students and employees who apply and are determined eligible for support through the Employee Critical Support Fund and the Student Critical Support Fund can use the aid for costs related to medical procedures not available in Tennessee including travel.
Will the Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator have a physical space to meet with Vanderbilt community members? Or would their services be primarily virtual?

The Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator will have a physical space in which to conduct meetings by phone, online or in person. The coordinator will offer hours at EAP for faculty and staff and hours at the UCC for students. Virtual appointments will also be available for those who prefer that.
How will Vanderbilt ensure the new Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator will be unbiased?

The Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). CNMs are specifically trained to support pregnant individuals in an unbiased manner.
Will the Employee/Student Critical Support Funds aid with expenses, including diapers, strollers, bottles, and baby supplies, for women who intend to carry their babies to term?

Members of the university community with financial need will have the option to apply for monetary support to aid with unexpected expenses through the Employee Critical Support Fund or the Student Critical Support Fund, which could include initial costs associated with birth and adoption. However, the Funds are not intended to assist with regular or ongoing costs. Details on how to apply for support through the Funds will be shared in the coming weeks.

Legal

How will changes in abortion law affect faculty and students’ ability to engage in speech, teaching, and advocacy about abortion and reproductive health. How do the laws affect those kinds of activities?

Neither federal nor Tennessee laws related to abortion include restrictions on what faculty, staff and students can say or advocate for regarding abortion or other reproductive health care. This is true whether members of our community agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision, or the Tennessee legislature’s position on these issues.
The laws primarily focus on regulating medical procedures and what licensed medical professionals can do in a specific medical context related to abortion procedures and the use of abortion inducing drugs.
Under what circumstances will the university defend my actions from a legal perspective?

Generally, when people are speaking about or participating in advocacy efforts related to an issue of public concern such as abortion, faculty or students or staff are going to be acting in their individual capacity. In the limited situations where someone is specifically authorized to act on behalf of the university, in good faith and in a manner that is reasonably understood to be lawful, then the university would defend those actions.

Task Force

How can members of the Vanderbilt community share their input with the task force?

Vanderbilt community members can submit suggestions and/or feedback to the task force here.
What plans does the reproductive health task force have for continuous student engagement around reproductive health?

The task force will continue to engage in direct outreach, coordinating with Vanderbilt Student Government, the Graduate Student Council, individual students, and student organizations. The task force also will create programming as well as work with other areas of the university to facilitate events, which may include webinars and in-person programs.

Privacy

How will the university protect my private pregnancy-related information?

The university will take all appropriate steps to protect individuals’ private information. In general, the university will not seek out information about someone’s pregnancy or other health-related information. When someone shares private health information with the university in order to receive guidance or access resources, the information is treated as private and is not disclosed to others without a need to know unless the individual gives their consent. University officials who work with individuals’ private information receive training in how to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, and the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, as appropriate.
When students are seeking reproductive health services or support, will they be granted anonymity, specifically from their parents?

Generally speaking, under the privacy laws that are relevant in this context, the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, parents would not be notified about a student seeking services or support.
However, students may want to consider any nuances related to their situations. For example, if a student is on their parent’s insurance and their benefits statements or bills related to the insurance policy are sent to their parents, this may be a way that their parents could be indirectly notified about a service or support the student may have sought.

Advocacy And Free Expression

How will the university support students’ free expression about this issue?

The university continues to support students’ freedom of expression on any topic. Vanderbilt’s policies and procedures related to freedom of expression on campus are outlined in the Student Handbook. The Student Engagement and Leadership area within the Student Affairs division will assist students and student organizations with developing a plan to participate in activities that align with the guidance outlined in the university’s Freedom of Expression Policy.

Mental Health

Are there funds being allocated towards treating the mental health implications related to pregnancy and parenting?

Several mental health and related resources are available to members of the Vanderbilt community. The Reproductive Health and Parenting Resource Coordinator will work to facilitate a seamless referral to the resources below when a mental health need is identified.

Suggestions and Feedback

Suggestions and/or feedback for the reproductive health task force.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to support women’s health and the safety and well-being of our community and to create a supportive and inclusive environment for educational success.

As a leading research university, it is also our responsibility to confront head-on the most pressing challenges of our time and provide a forum for exploration, debate and scholarly research, all while providing wide-ranging resources and support to our campus community."

Daniel Diermeier
Chancellor, Vanderbilt University