Restorative justice is an approach that aims to repair the harm done to victims.
There is no evidence that I did anything wrong. Tykwinski and the University of Alberta repeatedly failed to follow policy and process, and repeatedly failed to act openly, honestly, fairly, and transparently. There is ample evidence of willful misconduct, collusion, cover-ups, and general abuse of power. UAlberta continues to threaten legal action to cover-up their wrongdoing.
Tykwinski‘s defamatory email circulated through the academic community. I applied for jobs that I was exceptionally qualified for, and didn’t even get an interview. Silence. For years, silence. Occasionally, I would hear from colleagues that I wasn’t considered “because of what happened at the University of Alberta”. I started hearing this before I knew Tykwinski sent a defamatory email to the entire department. When I did get hired, it was on a friend’s recommendation and on a one year contract as sabbatical replacement.
I suffered massive psychological trauma from the summary termination, being rejected by colleagues, being rejected by family, learning about Tykwinski‘s campaign to decimate my reputation and career; learning about the misconduct, collusion, cover-ups, and general abuse of power; and learning that those in a position to do something about it (senior administration) covered-up and perpetuated the abuse. Psychological trauma is forever.
I struggle to support myself and my family. I burned through my savings and RRSPs.
My quality of life plummeted. I lost precious time with my children because two were at University when this occurred and because I had to move across the country for jobs. I have lost tens of thousands of dollars moving and renting.
The figure shows some common effects of psychological trauma. Reflecting on my character before and after Tykwinski, I observe many of these in me. My friends have identified the same and others.
If Tykwinski hadn’t happened, if the University hadn’t supported Tykwinski, all indicators are that I would have continued at the University of Alberta. The vast majority of academics work their entire careers at the same institution. I would have
- continued to teach and receive exemplary student and administrative evaluations
- continued to engage in the scholarship of teaching and learning
- continued to work with the Center for Teaching and Learning
- continued to work with student outreach groups to showcase the University to the public
Of all the instructors Tykwinski hired, my experience, qualifications, and scholarship far exceeds theirs. There is no doubt that I would still be at the University of Alberta had Tykwinski and UAlberta not massively failed in their responsibilities to the students, staff, institution, and public.
I am a victim of Tykwinski’s and UAlberta’s misconduct, collusion, cover-ups, and general abuse of power.