New University Policy Establishes Lactation Rooms for Nursing Mothers

April 30, 2015

To help meet the needs of nursing mothers at the University, Old Dominion recently adopted a new policy regarding establishment of lactation rooms on its main campus and higher education centers

The policy, approved this month, provides guidelines for the availability of appropriate spaces and break times for nursing mothers. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act, amended under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, requires employers to provide time and private space, other than a bathroom, in which to express milk, for a year after a child's birth.

Employees and students at Old Dominion are responsible for coordinating breaks with supervisors or instructors and for reserving a room.

The University Women's Caucus and the Department of Human Resources worked together to complete the project. A $1,400 grant from the Consortium for Infant and Child Health, and administered by Eastern Virginia Medical School, assisted in the purchase of furniture for the rooms.

The following is a list of lactation room locations, with the phone number to call for reservations:

University Libraries, room 2018 (circulation desk, 683-4154)

Student Recreation Center, room 1100A (main desk, 683-3384)

Webb Center, Career Management Center, room 2202 (main desk, 683-4388)

Spong Hall, room 1509 (main desk, 683-3042)

Virginia Beach Higher Ed Center, room 117 (front desk, 368-4100)

Tri Cities Higher Ed Center, room 1204 (front desk, 686-6220)

Peninsula Higher Ed Center, room 2225 (front desk, 776-5200)

Innovation Research Park I, 1307, Suite 103 (click for reservation instructions)

To view Old Dominion's full lactation support policy, visit the University Policies website.