Stanford University has responded to the lawsuit filed by Katie Meyer’s parents

claiming that the university is not responsible for her tragic death. Katie, a 22-year-old soccer star and team captain, took her own life in 2022 after receiving an email from Stanford employees informing her of potential disciplinary action for allegedly spilling hot coffee on another student, causing injuries.

The university’s response highlights several key points ¹:

– Disciplinary Action: Katie was facing disciplinary charges for the coffee incident, which could have resulted in expulsion, but Stanford argues that this wasn’t the sole cause of her death.

– Parental Pressure: Stanford suggests that Katie’s parents may have contributed to her stress by putting pressure on her to be perfect, citing statements from Katie’s teachers and classmates.

– Lack of Evidence: A judge dismissed six out of eight claims in the Meyers’ lawsuit, including breach of contract and gender discrimination, but the wrongful death claim remains.

– University’s Support: Stanford claims to have offered Katie support during the disciplinary process, including an advisor and contact information for an on-call dean.

Katie’s parents argue that Stanford’s actions were negligent and reckless, leading to their daughter’s acute stress reaction and ultimately, her death. The case is ongoing, with the judge allowing the Meyers 30 days to amend their claims.