Ryerson threatened with lawsuit from student who was nearly expelled

TORONTO _ Ryerson University is being threatened with a class-action lawsuit led by a student who was nearly expelled for running a Facebook study group where classmates swapped tips on homework questions.

A statement of claim in the $10 million suit was filed on behalf of third-year engineering student Chris Avenir.

It alleges the university's policy on academic misconduct denies students the right to have a lawyer present at hearings where they can be given failing grades or recommended for expulsion.

Serious cases where students can actually be suspended or expelled must be heard before the school's Senate, in which a lawyer can be present.

The current policy deprives students of an adequate defence, while causing ``significant emotional and/or mental stress,'' the statement said.

``It makes you feel really overwhelmed,'' said Avenir. ``You don't really know what's going on as a student; with all the proceedings, you're not too sure how it works.''

``The ultimate goal is to have the policy changed,'' he said.

None of the allegations has been proven in court. Ryerson's general counsel said the school will vigorously defend against the claims.

``We have lots of confidence in our academic integrity policies,'' Julia Hanigsberg said.

If certified by a judge as a class-action suit, it could include every student who has gone through misconduct tribunals since March 2003.

In 2008, Avenir's chemistry professor came across an online study group co-hosted by the then first-year student, which invited classmates to ``post solutions'' to homework that was worth 10 per cent of the final mark.

The department's call to have him expelled drew international attention and ended with Avenir receiving a zero on that 10 per cent portion and having to attend a workshop on academic integrity.

From 2007 to 2009, there were reportedly more than 600 misconduct cases on campus. A fraction reached the Senate level, Hanigsberg said.
    (Toronto Star)