Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Maarten & Saskia Koning
15983 Loyalist Parkway, RR2
Bloomfield, Ontario K0K 1G0
+1 613 399-5606

February 3, 2020

To the Associate Dean of Arts and Science,

RE: Marisa Koning 20099736 Appeal Letter

In addition to documentation emailed to Kerri Andrews on January 22nd 2020 and following an advisor meeting with Heather Carter February 3rd 2020, we are submitting this appeal letter on Marisa's behalf.

Marisa has had a tough start at University and has now withdrawn. She is appealing her academic record for Fall 2018, Winter 2019 and Fall 2019 by requesting that her failed courses to-date be dropped from her record and that her other course marks be replaced with credit standing.

Earlier in 2018, before coming to Queen's University and Kingston, Marisa was the victim of a sexual assault. As a family we did not realize the impacts it would have on her academic career and it only became evident that her scholastic ability had been grievously damaged well into Fall 2018 term. For Marisa, people and situations became triggers, her mental health deteriorated, distraction ensued and she struggled. By Winter 2019 term, Marisa was attending Queen's while also seeking the right therapist to help her heal mentally. It was a journey of pain and frustration that continued to distract and affect her ability to succeed with her studies.

During last summer, our family Doctor diagnosed Marisa with PTSD and provided referrals to psychotherapists with specific expertise, which has helped. However, when Fall 2019 term started, she worried about her situation, experienced self-doubt and her challenges continued. Her mental health took a step backward and she fell into depression. The prescribed medications made her experience highs and lows and difficultly focussing. That in turn brought increased stress to the point where she developed severe gastro-intestinal issues that interfered with her ability to attend class and she again had a poor academic result. She has withdrawn and is at home with us since the holiday break.

However, there is good news to report. In the last month, Marisa has decided that this event that she was victim to will not define her. Instead, she has decided to let it drive her energy into the field of Biological Forensic Science, which has an option of supporting law enforcement activity. Since making this decision, we have seen a change in Marisa and her previous engaging self is coming back. She has applied to University of Toronto and Trent University as they have forensic Science programs. And her gastroenterologist has started a remediation plan for her intestinal issues.

We, including Marisa, appreciate the consideration Queen's has given her and we also appreciate the supportive infrastructure at Queen's including the student services department, the Ombudsman, the Dean's Office and the Appeals board. Thank you for your time and thoughtful guidance to-date.

With your support of our appeal, Marisa will hopefully be able to pursue her new path without being held back by an academic record that was measured during her assault recovery period, which we believe should be largely behind her once she resets into her studies elsewhere Fall 2020 term.

Sincerely,

Maarten and Saskia Koning
ms@koning.ca