Chancellor Phillip L. Clay announced today that the 2001 lawsuit filed against MIT following the death of Julie Carpenter has been settled.
In his statement to the MIT community, Clay wrote, "As most of you know, Mr. Timothy Carpenter, the father of an MIT sophomore, Julie Carpenter, brought a lawsuit against MIT, certain MIT administrators and an MIT student following Julie's April 2001 death. I am writing to inform you that Mr. Carpenter, MIT and the MIT administrators who were sued settled all claims against all defendants in the lawsuit to the parties' satisfaction. Under the settlement agreement, the parties agreed that all of the terms of the settlement are confidential and there will be no further comment from any of the parties. The parties also agreed that they would refrain from discussing the case or their respective positions in the case in any public forum.
"I recognize that it is very difficult not to discuss this case or MIT's positions in defense of those who were sued, but I hope you will join me in respecting the terms of the settlement and will understand that there can be no further comment," Clay wrote.
Accompanying Clay's statement was a joint statement from Tim and Kay Carpenter and MIT, below.
Joint Statement
Tim and Kay Carpenter and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology settled all claims against MIT and its Administrators in the lawsuit, Timothy J. Carpenter v. Massachusetts Institute of Technology et al. to the parties' satisfaction. The lawsuit relates to the death of Julie Carpenter, an MIT sophomore, in April 2001. All of the terms of the settlement are confidential.
Chancellor Phillip L. Clay said, "Over the last five years, the quality of student life, enhancement of community and a broad and collaborative support network for all students have been among the highest priorities of the university and its president. We have revised the disciplinary process, increased mental health resources, enhanced the effectiveness of mental health services including suicide prevention initiatives with presidential level support, and instituted training programs for those involved in disciplinary processes and for identifying students at risk." Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter said, "We are pleased that, since Julie's death, MIT has made these changes."
There will be no further comment from any of the parties.
