Northwestern Extends Grad Students' Parental Leave

Northwestern University’s Graduate School replaced a six-week maternity leave for birth mothers with a more generous 12-week leave for graduate student parents of “all gender identities and gender expressions.” Adoptive parents are now covered by the new policy, which also includes a one-year extension of milestone deadlines, such as exams. Graduate students who are funded, or receiving tuition and stipend at the time of the leave, are eligible for additional funding during the 12 weeks. Alan Cubbage, university spokesman, said via email that the revised parental accommodation “is one in a series of investments Northwestern is making to enhance the experience for our graduate students who are parents, as well as support an inclusive, family-friendly campus culture more broadly.”