Nursing Mothers and Lactation Rooms

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, most employees have the right to take reasonable break time to express breast milk for their nursing child for up to one year after the child’s birth, each time the employee has the need to express milk.

• Employees who work remotely are eligible to take pump breaks under the FLSA on the same basis as other employees.
• The frequency and duration of breaks needed will vary depending on factors such as the location of the space and steps reasonably necessary to express breast milk.
• Managers may not deny nursing employees a needed break to pump and should work with employees to support these breaks.

Students are also entitled to reasonable lactation break time and should not be penalized if they miss class for this reason.

• Lactating students seeking assistance with understanding university polices and procedures should connect with the Dean of Students office.
• More detailed information regarding student's lactation rights may be found at The Pregnant Scholar.

When a nursing employee is using break time at work to express breast milk, they either must be completely relieved from duty or paid for the break time. An employee who uses such break time to pump breast milk must be compensated in the same way that other employees are compensated for break time. More information about compensated time may be found on the FLSA Fact Sheet #22.

Nursing employees and students must be provided with a private space to express breast milk that is shielded from view and free from intrusion by other staff, students, and the public.

• Remote employees must also be free from observation by any employer-provided or required video system; including computer camera, security camera, or web conferencing platform.
• A bathroom, even if private, is not a permissible location for pumping breast milk.
• At minimum, the lactation space should have a chair, flat surface (such as a side table), and an electrical outlet.

For more information, visit Location for Breaks.

The University offers six private lactation rooms for nursing employees and students to use. Lactation rooms are located in Gilchrist Hall, Bartlett Hall, Maucker Union, Schindler Education Center, and the Child Development Center in Nielsen Field House. Students who have a need to express milk during their day on campus may also access these lactation rooms as available.

If these locations are not ideal for reasonable break times based on the employee's main campus location, managers may also consider other temporary options such as the employee's office, an unoccupied office, a vacant room, conference room, or a lounge.

Gilchrist Hall

The Gilchrist lactation room number is 114 and is located directly across from the Registrar’s office on the first floor. This room is furnished with a stationary chair, small table, refrigerator, and microwave. There is also a small sink along with soap and a bottle brush for washing. A key is required to use this lactation room which may be requested online by completing the Key Request Form. Human Resource Services (HRS) also maintains a key to this room. There is a latch on inside of the door that shows the room is occupied when locked and vacant when not locked. Access to this room's designated scheduling calendar may be requested from HRS. Student parents or visitors to campus who wish to use this lactation room may contact HRS at 319-273-2422 for assistance regarding room availability and options.

Bartlett Hall

The Bartlett lactation room number is 0022. It is furnished with a comfortable chair, table, and hooks on the back of the door. There is also a small sink with paper towels and soap for washing. This room locks from the inside so there is no key needed. When locked, the outside of the door lock is red to signal that the room is in use. There is also a sign that may be posted on the door to notify others that the room is occupied. There is no calendar or schedule to use this lactation room so it may be accessed when vacant.

Maucker Union

The lactation room number is 030 and is located in the corridor that connects Maucker Union and Lang Hall. The room is furnished with a table, chair, footstool, mirror, and coat hook. There is also a refrigerator, changing table, sink, and paper towels. The door locks from the inside so there is no key needed. There is no calendar or schedule to use this lactation room so it may be accessed when vacant.

Schindler Education Center

There are two lactation rooms in the SEC which are located on the first floor in room 146 and the sixth floor in room 608. Both rooms are furnished with a swivel chair, side table, mirror, sink, and paper towels. There is a baby changing station in room 146 and an extra mesh desk chair in room 608. Both rooms lock from the inside and display a red lock symbol so there is no key needed. No calendar or schedule is maintained for either lactation room so they may be accessed when vacant.

Nielsen Field House

The lactation room number is 175A and it is located in the Child Development Center (CDC). The room is furnished with a glider chair, lamp, table, and hand-washing sink. There is also a mirror, fan, clean burp cloths, baby bouncer, and cups for water. This room locks from the inside so there is no key needed; however, access is limited to CDC staff, student employees, and parents of enrolled children. Nursing UNI employees or students who are not affiliated with the CDC and need access to this location for expressing breast milk should contact the CDC Director, Maria Ackerson, at maria.ackerson@uni.edu or 273-3946. Parents of enrolled children are welcome to nurse their babies anytime and use the lactation room as often as needed.

Designated lactation rooms on campus are provided to support nursing employees, student parents, and visitors with a private space to express breast milk during their day as frequently as needed.

• Refrigerators located in lactation rooms are supplied for the sole purpose of storing expressed milk during the work day. Stored containers of expressed milk should be labeled with the individual's name and date and should be removed on a daily basis. Any containers of expressed milk remaining in refrigerators at the end of the work week will be disposed of.
• Personal items should not be left for storage in lactation rooms after use. The University is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• Individuals utilizing the lactation rooms, refrigerators, and microwaves are expected to maintain the cleanliness of the space and items after each use.

Any maintenance issues should be reported to Facilities Management as soon as possible by calling 273-4400 or completing a service request.

Contact hrs-leaves@uni.edu with questions.