SEMO enhances support for nursing mothers with upgraded lactation rooms

Southeast Missouri State University has upgraded its lactation rooms across campus, enhancing support for nursing mothers.

According to a news release, SEMO renovated its lactation rooms — located in Academic Hall room 211, Kent Library room 419, Dempster Hall room 119 and at Houck Field — to “(provide) convenient access for nursing mothers, (and ensure) students, faculty and staff can balance their academic commitments with their needs for comfort and privacy.”

SEMO’s assistant to the president for equity initiatives and Title IX coordinator Nora Bouzihay said the decision to enhance the university’s lactation rooms stems from a “commitment to improve campus resources” for students, faculty and staff.

“The existing spaces needed improvement to better serve our community,” Bouzihay said, “and we were fortunate to fund with additional support from a micro-grant provided by the Cape Girardeau Zonta Club and funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.”

In addition to the renovations, SEMO will introduce two “state-of-the-art” lactation pods on the third floor of the University Center and at the Dobbins Center during the fall semester.

Parents and students who are currently pregnant can request Title IX accommodations at www.semo.edu.