To further promote a family-friendly work and study environment for mothers and their infants, Clemson University is implementing a new Lactation Support Policy.
The university’s aim is to provide a supportive and flexible environment for employees and students as they transition back to work or studies after the birth of a child. In support of this goal, the Lactation Support Policy provides for time during the workday for lactating mothers to express breast milk and suitable wellness/lactation rooms across campus for such activity. The policy is in accordance with the workplace breastfeeding support provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Section 4207) and current South Carolina state law (SC Code §63-5-40).
In support of the new policy, Clemson has established the Lactation Network website, which houses the full policy along with information and guidance on existing and new wellness rooms, lactation breaks and points of contact for further lactation support at Clemson University.
Currently, the University has several dedicated wellness/lactation rooms: two at the Sullivan Center, one at Cooper Library and one at Poole Agriculture Center. The Sullivan Center and Cooper Library rooms have hospital-grade Medela Symphony pumps available for use. Clemson will attempt to provide additional wellness rooms as needed. Employees and student workers are encouraged to visit the Lactation Network website prior to the birth of a child to become familiar with their options.
Last year, the South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (SCBC) named Clemson a Mother-Friendly Employer. According to SCBC’s website, only two other universities in the state hold this title: Lander and the University of South Carolina. Find out more about SCBC and the Mother-Friendly program at: http://www.scbreastfeedingcoalition.org/.
The lactation policy, network and Mother-Friendly Employer award were achieved through the hard work of Clemson’s first Lactation Network Implementation Committee (Matthew Bundrick—Staff Senate, Chair; Ashley Fisk—Faculty Senate; Sallie Hambright-Belue—Faculty At-Large; Lisa Knox—Staff At-Large; Priscilla Harrison—Access and Equity; Alex Neal—Graduate Student Government; and Suzanne Price—Women’s Commission), Creative Services and the Office of Human Resources.
A special thanks to all involved in Clemson’s most recent effort to help faculty, staff and students achieve work/life balance.
