From reserved parking spaces to dedicated facilities, from academic support measures to priority access at food outlets and university services, the University has presented its “Guidelines for balancing study, parenthood and caregiving”. Rector Orlandi: «The University is strengthening its commitment to guaranteeing the right to education»
Reserved spaces in University car parks. Facilities, one in each area of the campus, dedicated to breastfeeding and caring for young children, equipped with an armchair, sink and changing table. Priority access at University bars and canteens, student administration offices and the network of guidance services. Academic support measures, extraordinary examination sessions for students with high-risk pregnancies and dedicated financial contributions. These are some of the measures included in the “Guidelines for balancing study, parenthood and caregiving” of the University of Milano-Bicocca, presented today by Rector Marco Emilio Orlandi, Director General Cristiano Nicoletti, Pro-Rector for Equal Opportunities and Diversity Sveva Magaraggia, and Pro-Rector for Relations with the Healthcare System and Health Giuseppe Carrà.
The plan supports parenthood for children aged 0 to 6, maternity and paternity, and the care of family members, and is addressed to the entire Milano-Bicocca student population. It provides a framework for the strategic actions and measures that the University already implements or will introduce over the coming academic years to support students in their family and university lives. «The University recognises that pregnancy, breastfeeding and the exercise of parental responsibility, including adoption and foster care, may affect a student’s educational path, and intends to promote conditions that enable full participation in university life, preventing situations of disadvantage or discrimination,» states the introduction to the Guidelines. Support and flexibility measures are also planned for student caregivers, «who need to balance their educational path with a significant daily caring commitment».
«By adopting these guidelines dedicated to those with caring responsibilities,» says the University’s Rector, Marco Emilio Orlandi, «the University of Milano-Bicocca is strengthening its commitment to guaranteeing the right to education. This measure complements the recent extension of the no-tax area and initiatives relating to housing and student wellbeing. This is precisely the duty of a public university: to work to remove the economic, logistical or personal barriers that may hinder a university career.»
«Equipping ourselves with these tools,» says Pro-Rector for Equal Opportunities and Diversity Sveva Magaraggia, «means telling our community that care has a place in the public sphere, and that students should not have to leave part of their lives outside our University in order to be recognised as legitimate students.»
«The University of Milano-Bicocca promotes the health and wellbeing of its students particularly during the most crucial circumstances of their lives,» adds Pro-Rector for Relations with the Healthcare System and Health Giuseppe Carrà, «so that specific situations do not become an obstacle to the educational aspirations of those who remain motivated and committed to their studies.»
The measures include:
- Academic support measures, such as excused absences for prenatal appointments, medical appointments for children and family members, and foster care or adoption procedures, as well as the introduction of alternative ways of delivering teaching hours
- Appointments at times other than the standard hours or remotely
- Priority and limited flexibility in examinations and graduation sessions
- Dedicated financial contributions, such as the temporary suspension of a student’s academic career without the obligation to pay the fixed re-enrolment fee. A working group will be established to reduce student fees for parents and caregivers, starting from the 2027/28 academic year
- “UniCare Pathway”, providing priority access at University bars and canteens, the Student Administration Office and guidance support services, as well as reserved spaces in University car parks for pregnant students
- Dedicated facilities, such as the single parenthood and family caregiving help desk at the B.Inclusion space for handling forms and self-certifications and providing assistance with fees, scholarships, suspensions and services; the Breastfeeding and Cuddle Room, equipped with an armchair, sink and changing table for pregnant students and parents; and Quiet Spaces for short periods of relaxation in different campus buildings
- Psychological and guidance support, with priority access to Milano-Bicocca’s Guidance Services and counselling to support parenthood
- Information events for student parents on local services and mutual support groups
- Services for children, including “Vengo anch’io”, which welcomes children aged 0 to 6 on a flexible hourly basis designed to meet temporary needs or emergencies; the Bambini Bicocca nursery and Bambini Bicocca preschool; a summer centre in July; and reduced fees for summer centres
- Midwifery counselling at the Health Centre for pregnant students
These Guidelines are an initiative that Milano-Bicocca has chosen to dedicate to its community on the eve of its 28th anniversary, which will be celebrated tomorrow, Wednesday 10 June, with a day divided into two parts and dedicated to the science of the future and to music, entitled “Shaping the future”. At 11 a.m. at the “Guido Martinotti” Auditorium, Building U12, via Vizzola 5, Milan, young professors, researchers and students, introduced by Rector Marco Emilio Orlandi, will present their vision of the future, drawing on their experience and their connection with Milano-Bicocca. A series of exhibition panels will feature their faces and their visions of the future. This will be followed by a performance by singer-songwriter Arisa, who will perform some of her songs and speak with Andrea Laffranchi, a journalist from Corriere della Sera. Refreshments will follow.
At 6 p.m. at the “G. Martinotti” Auditorium, Building U12, via Vizzola 5, Milan, further space will be given to the ideas and projects of young professors, researchers and students, followed by the second musical event, featuring singer-songwriter Paolo Jannacci and his “Piano Solo” concert.