Family Support Policy for Pharmacy, Medical, and Graduate Students

Abstract

For many graduate and professional science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students, family support policies are inadequate or non-existent. This gap hinders students’ family planning ability, makes degree completion more challenging, and disproportionately impacts women. Suitable and accessible family support policies are necessary to progress STEM institutions toward equity, maintain themselves as competitive, and support changes in student demographics. With that goal in mind, the Council for Women’s Advocacy (CWA), a group of physicians, professors, administrators, and students at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), developed policies addressing these critical needs. They were approved by leadership and included in the 2021-2022 All Student Handbook. This language can serve as a framework to build on for other STEM institutions. The policies include 1) course and program accommodations for parental leave, 2) childcare financial aid, and 3) lactation support.