Katharina Buczek
The complaint filed by the Meyer family also alleged that Katie had sent an email response to the university after she received the disciplinary notice– detailing how “shocked and distraught” she was– and did not receive a response.
“Stanford failed to respond to Katie’s expression of distress, instead ignored it, and scheduled a meeting for three days later via email. Stanford employees made no effort whatsoever to check on Katie’s wellbeing, either by a simple phone call or in-person welfare check,” the complaint stated.
Again, though, the university denied this course of events and claimed that Katie received a reply from OCS staff within one hour of sending her response.
“Katie asked for a meeting to discuss the matter, was offered several available times, and chose one three days later despite the availability of an earlier appointment,” Stanford’s statement said.
As for the assault allegations regarding the football player– the initial reason why Katie spilled coffee and faced disciplinary action at all– the Meyer family’s lawsuit claims that Stanford failed to initiate and follow through with any Title IX or OCS disciplinary process for the athlete.
The complaint also pointed out how this was in spite of the university’s own zero-tolerance policy, which would have required Stanford to dismiss the football player from the team.
The university’s statement pushed back against these claims, too, stating that “the allegation that Stanford failed to address a claim that a football player kissed one of Katie’s soccer teammates without her permission is inaccurate.”
“In fact, it is the university that initially reported this claim to Stanford’s Title IX office and the police. However, the Title IX office did not pursue the matter since the criteria for moving forward with an investigation were not met.”
Prior to Katie’s death, Stanford had described the student-athlete as “fiercely competitive” and “extraordinarily committed to everything and everyone in her world.”
And in a more recent statement from Katie’s parents, Steve and Gina, they expressed how they are seeking justice not just for their daughter but in hopes of sparking systemic change.
“We are deeply troubled and disappointed with what we have learned since her passing and have no choice but to move forward with litigation to achieve justice for Katie and protect future students,” the Meyers said.
