Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Stanford University has reached a settlement with the family of Katie Meyer following the tragic death of the college student in March 2022.
Katie’s death occurred shortly after she received a disciplinary email from the university. The email pertained to an alleged incident in which she reportedly spilled coffee on a football player accused of sexually assaulting a women’s soccer teammate.
According to Katie’s father, she was standing up for her teammate, who was a minor.
Katie, an enthusiastic soccer player, received the email around 7pm on February 28, 2022. Her parents stated that the email suggested her degree would be on hold pending resolution of the issue, as she was nearing graduation.
The late-night email also indicated that Katie, who was the captain of the soccer team, faced potential expulsion, according to the lawsuit.
Katie’s parents argued that the combination of the email and disciplinary action caused her significant stress, contributing to her decision to take her own life.
They filed a lawsuit against Stanford University in November 2022, alleging that the institution failed to provide Katie, then 22, with adequate support.
The university has denied any responsibility for Katie’s death but has now reached a resolution with the Meyer family.
In a statement released on Monday (January 26), Stanford said: “Stanford and the family of Katie Meyer are pleased to have reached a resolution in the lawsuit that was filed against the university following Katie’s tragic death in 2022.
“To honor Katie, Stanford will collaborate with Katie’s family to launch an initiative focused on the mental health and well-being of student-athletes at the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance. Stanford Athletics will establish the Katie Meyer Leadership Award to be given to an exceptional Stanford student-athlete each year.
“More information on both the initiative at Wu Tsai and the Leadership Award will be provided later this year.”
The statement continued: “In addition, Stanford will adopt the principles of Katie Meyer’s Law to provide support to students in its OCS disciplinary process. The number worn by Katie while she played soccer at Stanford, #19, will be retired in honor of the impact Katie had on Stanford women’s soccer.
“While Katie’s passing remains devastating and tragic, the memory of her accomplishments and the uplifting influence she had on those who knew her lives on. Stanford and the Meyer family believe that working together on these initiatives will both honor Katie’s indelible legacy and help current and future students in meaningful ways.”
Katie Meyer’s Law was enacted as Assembly Bill 1575 by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2024. This law mandates that any California college or university receiving public funds or financial aid must provide a designated adviser during disciplinary proceedings.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.