Chris Avenir's apparent exhortation to fellow Ryerson University engineering students to "input solutions" to assignment problems on a Facebook page raised the ire of a professor, and the 18-year-old was made to defend his actions last week at an expulsion hearing.

On Tuesday, Avenir was told that while he wouldn't be expelled he would receive a zero on the assignment section of the course - which was worth 10 per cent of his final mark.

Despite that, Avenir will still pass the course on the condition that he attend an academic integrity seminar.

"Failing to attend the academic integrity seminar will result in obtaining an F grade in CHY 102," the ruling from a faculty appeals committee states.

Avenir's lawyer said Tuesday night that he's not pleased with the outcome although Avenir was given the lightest penalty possible.

"Everyone seems to think that because he's not been expelled it's a victory - it's just not, it's not true," John Adair said.

Adair said he doesn't know whether Avenir will appeal the ruling.

"It's a finding he's not at all comfortable with - he doesn't believe that it's fair or appropriate," Adair said. "The attractiveness of an appeal is that he can clear his name, at the same time it has been an extremely stressful experience for him."

While the case is a "blight" on what's known as a cutting-edge school the decision is a victory, said Nora Loreto, president of the Ryerson Students' Union.

"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."

Last term, Avenir became administrator of the online group Dungeons/Mastering Chemistry Solutions. In all, 147 classmates used the group to swap tips on assignments.

Avenir's supporters argued the online group he ran was no different from any kind of homework help or tutoring circle. But a professor, who had stipulated assignments be done independently, discovered the group, gave the B student an F, then charged him with academic misconduct.

Tuesday's decision "sheds light" on policy changes Ryerson officials are attempting to make governing academic and non-academic codes of conduct, said Loreto.

"It gives us a real, solid example of how online presence, when it exists in policy in very vague terms, could be enough to have someone expelled for having a study group online," she said.

The appeals committee cleared Avenir of academic misconduct, but said "the potential for large-scale cheating was there and although it may or may not have actually occurred, the situation must be considered to be extremely serious."

A disciplinary notice will also be on Avenir's transcript.

Avenir, who could not be reached for comment, can still appeal the decision.

The university said Tuesday night in a release it "welcomes and encourages the innovative use of technology by students and faculty, including Facebook study groups."

But it said "inappropriate use of technology in an academic context" will be taken seriously.

The case, which captured headlines around the world as bloggers debated whether web postings constituted cheating, can serve a learning opportunity for others, said James Norrie, a Ryerson spokesman.

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

"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."

"As sure as shooting, you can be absolutely clear some people will find ways to use technological innovation in a bad way."

What appears to have snared Avenir was the group's main page, which read: "If you request to join, please use the forms to discuss/post solutions to the chemistry assignments. Please input your solutions if they are not already posted."

Avenir's case serves as a clear warning for students about the nature of the Internet, Loreto said.

"There's no doubt that this has probably reminded a lot of students of the level of care they should be taking when posting things online, that it's not private," she said.