Chris Avenir only has to worry about passing his classes now, not whether he'll be allowed to take them.

Ryerson University decided not to expel the first year student for creating an online study group.

The school claimed that it was a violation of their policies, and charged the engineering major with 147 counts of academic misconduct - one for each of the 146 people who joined the Facebook group, and one for making the page.

Nora Loreto, president of the Ryerson Students' Union, said she was only partially satisfied with the result.

"Chris in our view is still innocent, so it is still too bad that he got zero for that 10 per cent," Loreto said. "But considering we were facing expulsion I think this is a victory, certainly a broader victory for the students at Ryerson."

Supporters say the online clique was no different from any kind of homework help or tutoring circle.

University officials saw it differently, and said that a place where students could "input solutions" to assignment problems was a cause for expulsion.

"For as long as we've had formal education, for 400 years, students have been trying to get around the system," said Ryerson professor Dr. James Norrie.

"Every time there's a technology innovation I think it's clear we have to get reflective of what that means for learning and diagnose how to use that technology in a way that enhances learning."

When he was first charged, Avenir insisted he was being treated unfairly. Other students, and the Students' Union, rallied around the maligned student quickly. Loreto continuously stated there was no evidence that answers had been posted on the site.

A week before Tuesday's verdict, Avenir and a lawyer went to a hearing  where they made their case. They said that the group was no different than a school-sanctioned tutoring program. Ryerson took its time deliberating, but eventually reached its decision confirming Avenir did not commit academic misconduct Tuesday.

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