Family and Childcare

Boston University Graduate Student Parental Policy

Effective June 26, 2014, the BU Graduate Student Parental Policy has been updated. Full-time PhD students can now receive a period of accommodation will full stipend for 60 days for childbirth or adoption. For more information, take a look at the link below.

• Graduate Student Parenting Resources

Boston University Graduate Student Parenting Benefits and Resources

• Childbirth and Adoption Accommodation Policy for Full-time PhD Students:
• Lactation rooms open to students:
• Charles River Campus:
  • 25 Buick Street, 2nd Floor
  • 595 Commonwealth Avenue (Questrom) – 5th Floor Room 515
  • 745 Commonwealth Avenue (School of Theology) – Basement, Room B-99B
  • 765 Commonwealth Avenue (School of Law) – Student Affairs Office (Law Students Only)
• Medical Campus:
  • Dowling Building – 6th floor
  • Evans Building – 7th floor, Room E744
• Office of Family Resources:
  • Referral services: Provides information and resources to help you decide the type of child care that is most suitable for your child. This includes providing information for finding a child care provider in a desired neighborhood.
•  Childcare and Preschool education programs:
  • BU Children’s Center: Charles River Campus, for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old.
  • Early Childhood Learning Lab: Charles River Campus, for children between the ages of 2 years and 9 months and 5 years old.
  • Little Sprouts: Medical Campus, for children ages 4 weeks through 5 years old.
• School Vacation Programs
• Summer Camp Programs
• Student Health Services:
  • Gynecological Care: Before and while planning a pregnancy, female students can consult the gynecological services at BU’s Student Health Services at no cost. Once pregnant, they will be referred to an OB-GYN in the area.
  • Aetna Student Health Insurance: Both Basic and Plus plans cover some of the pre-natal and birth expenses. The child is covered under the mother’s plan up to 30 days after birth. If pregnancy is being planned, it is recommended to enroll in the Plus plan, as the coverage is significantly better for both pre- and post-natal and hospital expenses at birth. Details on each plan can be found in the link below. For specific questions, please contact Karen Goyette, the Insurance Coordinator at Student Health Services, at 617-353-3579.
• Behavioral Medicine: Can apply to students dealing with parenting-related distress (ex: post-partum depression; student father feeling “rejected” by his recent mother companion, etc).
• The Faculty and Staff Assistance Office: Provides confidential help to Boston University employees experiencing difficulties, including family challenges. The office is also opened to providing help and advice or finding referrals and resources to graduate students in need.
• GWISE Mother’s Group: A support group for mothers and mothers-to-be in science and engineering.
• Office of the Ombudsman: An independent, impartial, informal problem-solving resource. The Office maintains strict confidentiality, and provides a safe place for you to have off-the-record conversations on issues related to life, work, or study at Boston University, including parenting related conflicts between a student and a faculty member.