Father of Texas student who killed himself over unproven allegation files suit

The University of Texas at Arlington is a defendant in a federal lawsuit brought April 4, 2017, by the father of a student who committed suicide in 2016. The suit alleges that the student was denied an educational opportunity because the university failed to comply with the requirements of Title IX amendments to the U.S. Code. less The University of Texas at Arlington is a defendant in a federal lawsuit brought April 4, 2017, by the father of a student who committed suicide in 2016. The suit alleges that the student was denied an ... more Photo: University Of Texas Arlington Photo: University Of Texas Arlington Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Father of Texas student who killed himself over unproven allegation files suit 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The father of a University of Texas at Arlington student who took his own life filed suit April 4 in U.S. District Court against the university and another student.

Wayne Klocke, as independent administrator of the estate of his son, Thomas Klocke, claimed in the suit that the university mishandled an alleged incident of sexual harassment between his son and another male student. The suit accuses the university of violating Title IX and accuses the other student of defamation.

Title IX is a 1972 law that is usually associated with female participation in collegiate sports. It also covers sexual harassment and requires educational institutions to remedy hostile educational environments or risk losing federal funding.

The Chronicle is not naming the other student because he has not been charged with a crime.

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According to the complaint filed by Wayne Klocke, the other student, who is gay, made unwelcome sexual overtures toward Thomas Klocke, who was heterosexual, during a class on May 19, 2016. Thomas Klocke rejected the advances, which led the other student to reach out to Heather Snow, the university's associate vice president and dean of students.

"Snow summarily decided that Thomas committed a violation of UTA's student code of conduct based solely on (the accuser's) bare, unsupported, reported allegations," the complaint stated. She in turn directed Daniel Moore, an administrator, to punish and sanction Thomas Klocke, the complaint stated.

Wayne Klocke claimed the university, under its own policies, should have referred the incident to its Title IX coordinator for investigation.

Through a spokeswoman, the university provided this statement Tuesday by email:

"This is a tragic situation and we express our deepest condolences to the family for their loss. The welfare of our students is our highest priority. Any loss is a heartbreaking one for our entire community," the statement said.

"The university followed its policies and procedures. This is now the subject of a lawsuit in federal court; therefore, we are unable to respond further at this time."

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As stated in the complaint, the other student told Snow in an email that after commenting about privilege in today's society, "Thomas opened his laptop and typed into his web browser's search bar "Gays should die."

The other student said he typed into his own web browser, "I'm gay." Thomas Klocke then feigned a yawn and said, "Well then you're a faggot," the other student claimed in his email.

In further exchanges, the other student told Thomas Klocke, "I think you should leave," after which Thomas Klocke allegedly told him, "You should consider killing yourself," according to the complaint.

The suit further states that Thomas Klocke was told not to return to class, which left him "stunned and confused."

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Thomas Klocke brought his father to a scheduled meeting with Moore on May 23, 2016. However Wayne Klocke, who is a lawyer, was not allowed to attend the meeting, the suit states.

Moore did not provide Thomas Klocke with a hearing under Title IX or otherwise and sent him a letter May 25, 2016, stating that he was on disciplinary probation through the rest of his career at the university and that he would be restricted from attending the class where the alleged incident occurred.

Thomas Klocke was devastated and distraught to the point of suicide on June 2, 2016, according to the suit.

"And ultimately, the wrongful acts complained of herein produced in Thomas such embarrassment, rage, frenzy, and mental or emotional anguish and pain that he took his own life," the complaint states.