UNC Charlotte Faces Criticism for Inadequate Lactation Spaces

Charlotte, NC, October 22, 2025

News Summary

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is under fire for its limited lactation spaces amid record enrollment numbers. With only three designated areas across the campus—one of which is locked—many breastfeeding students face accessibility issues. This lack of support contrasts sharply with other North Carolina institutions, leading to frustration and concerns about meeting the needs of student parents. Recent surveys reveal that while some access is available, many still struggle to find consistent and suitable lactation facilities.

Charlotte, NC – The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) is facing criticism for its inadequate lactation spaces as it experiences record enrollment figures of 32,207 students and 3,700 permanent faculty and staff. Currently, the university offers only three designated lactation spaces, which are located in the J. Murrey Atkins Library, the College of Health and Human Services, and the Center City Building. However, the lactation room in the library is currently locked, causing concerns about accessibility.

Mothers at UNC Charlotte have reported difficulties in finding suitable lactation spaces on campus, despite the expanded protections for breastfeeding mothers under the 2022 PUMP Act. According to the 2024 State of Breastfeeding Survey conducted by Mamava and Medela, while 66% of respondents reported having access to a lactation space, a third indicated that they lack consistent access to these necessary facilities.

Caroline West, vice president of the Charlotte Parent Organization (CPO), highlighted the significant challenges student parents face in accessing lactation spaces and finding resources meant to support them. Other universities within North Carolina, such as Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill, boast over 30 lactation spaces, while North Carolina State University offers 27. In contrast, UNC Charlotte’s limited options have led to growing frustration among its students.

West noted that she must walk approximately 20 minutes from the Bioinformatics Building to reach a lactation space, indicating that the university’s current offerings are not adequately aligned with the needs of its community. Similarly, Allison Stadick, president of the CPO, shared personal experiences of the existing lactation spaces, reinforcing the challenges they create for student parents who need to pump regularly. A graduate student remarked on the access issues with the lactation pod in the Atkins Library, claiming that the key often does not work.

Efforts to address the lack of lactation spaces by the CPO have faced administrative challenges, leaving support reliant on departmental management. This presents barriers that continue to impact student parents adversely. The Office on Women’s Health has recommended having a lactation space located within five minutes of a mother’s workplace and suggests one lactation space for every 50 to 100 women. Current data shows that UNC Charlotte’s lactation policy has not been updated since November 18, 2016, and many of the guidelines for accessing these rooms include outdated contacts due to staff changes.

Students have voiced their dissatisfaction with the university’s support system for individuals who are pregnant or lactating, emphasizing that adequate lactation spaces should be standard, especially given the institution’s mission of accessibility. As a result, there is rising frustration among students like Stadick, who are considering transferring to other institutions that offer better support and facilities for student parents.

In contrast, Mecklenburg County Public Health has actively announced the opening of a new Mamava Lactation Pod at the BOPlex Coliseum to promote breastfeeding and offer mother-friendly facilities during community events. This contrasts sharply with the perceived shortcomings at UNC Charlotte, further highlighting the ongoing challenges surrounding lactation support in educational settings.

Summary of Current Lactation Spaces at UNC Charlotte

• Library Room G38 – Locked; accessibility concerns
• Room 305 – College of Health and Human Services
• Room 420 – Center City Building (serves multiple purposes)

Statistics on Breastfeeding Support

• 2024 State of Breastfeeding Survey: 66% of respondents have lactation space access; a third lack consistent access.

Comparison with Other North Carolina Universities

• Duke University: Over 30 lactation spaces
• UNC-Chapel Hill: Over 30 lactation spaces
• North Carolina State University: 27 lactation spaces

Challenges Reported

• Lactation space access often requires long walks across campus.
• Outdated lactation policy and guidelines.
• Administrative challenges in addressing lactation space scarcity.

Recommendations

• Lactation space within five minutes of a mother’s workplace.
• One lactation space per 50 to 100 women.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Additional Resources

• Niner Times: UNC Charlotte Falls Short on Lactation Spaces
• GoHeels: UNC Football Gameday Info
• QCity Metro: Mecklenburg Lactation Pod at BOPlex
• Charlotte Observer: National News
• Wikipedia: Lactation
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Breastfeeding
• Google Search: Lactation Spaces

Author: HERE Charlotte

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