p2pnet - rss feed: ‘Facebook’ student Avenir faces expulsion
p2pnet news | Freedom:- Computer engineering student Chris Avenir (right) should be expelled from Ryerson University in Toronto for running a Facebook study group, say officials.
He’s charged with one count of academic misconduct for helping out on Dungeons/Mastering Chemistry Solutions, "so named after the Ryerson basement study room engineering students call The Dungeon," said p2pnet yesterday.
Some 146 classmates, "swapped tips on homework questions that counted for 10 per cent of their mark," landing Avenir on the end of another 146 counts, "one for each classmate who used the site," the story went on.
The University has sent a notice of expulsion to Avenir, says the Canwest News Service.
Usually, a student charged with academic misconduct gets a zero on the questionable assignment or test and a notation on his transcript, the story has student union spokeswoman Kim Neale, stating.
School officials are taking an extra step in trying to expel Avenir, she said.
"So are we not allowed to talk to other people about school work?" - asks a Facebook group set up to support Avenir.
It goes on >>>
Are we not allowed to teach others and impart our wisdom? Are we not allow to share ideas?
If you feel that this is an outrage and that Chris’s charges should be dropped, please simply join this group and share these articles with all your friends just to show your support for this good man!
His hearing is taking place on Tuesday March 11th at ENG 3rd floor, Room 358 from 3:00-4:30, drop by before or after to show support. Bad thing is, obviously we aren’t allowed in.
Ryerson has an ‘Ombudsperson‘ to, "work with students, faculty and staff to seek expeditious and just resolutions to problems and conflicts at the University that they have not been able to resolve themselves".
It isn’t known if the Ombudsperson has been approached about this.
Stay tuned.
[NOTE - p2pnet is running a special reader’s survey. It only takes 20-30 seconds —- literally —- and it’d be a huge help if you’d fill it in. Please click here. Cheers! And thanks … Jon]
Also See:
p2pnet - Student in trouble over Facebook study group, March 7, 2008
Canwest News Service - Student faces expulsion for Facebook study group, March 7, 2008
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March 8th, 2008 at 11:27 am
What kind of morons are running the Ryerson University in Toronto?
Is it not one of the main purpose of an university to bring people together for learning, brainstorming and teaching students teamwork? Why do we need Universities them?
Do they think that an Univesity is only a very expensive and ankward xerox machine?
If this is the case why do we need universities! Just stay home and get yourself a bunch of books!
March 8th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
^ Obviously these morons saw this as some form of cheating.
March 8th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Money and Time Talks!!!
If he is expelled for simply conducting a study session, what would be needed is a massive call in to the college’s switchboard, each member of the engineering faculty appeals committee (both at home and on campus), and to major alumni. An Internet connection, a computer, and a good voip call out account (lower than 2 cents a minute) will provide over 10,000 minutes of talk time for people to complain for $200 . With the system set up correctly, Internet connected people from all over Canada can complain for “free.” It is amazing what kind of campaign can be waged via the Internet. One can even complain for free by using http://www.voipbuster.com
With all of that said,, I can see a time when colleges and universities will become more and more irrelevant. I have worked for several employers who have become disillusioned with the quality of college graduates.
March 9th, 2008 at 11:14 am
If the online study group was meant only to exchange tips//suggestions on how to approach a problem, then there is nothing wrong with that. If, however, the online study group allowed the posting of complete solutions to problems then that would be cheating. That’s the same if you were working in pairs in a lab and you copied your partner’s full answer versus discussing your approach to solving the problem.
As a student myself, I’ve frequently been approached by fellow classmates to show them the solutions to calculations assignments. Unless I’m really tired, I go out of my way to ask them how they understood a problem, tell them where they’re right or wrong until they get the right approach to it. Giving the full solutions to a problems (IF this Ryerson group is guilty of it) is cheating and you people should know that.
March 9th, 2008 at 11:54 am
It is cheating. He shouldn’t have made it a facebook cheat club. Homework is a waste of time that many students hate. If a student wishes to study, they can do that on their own time. If a student needs more instruction then he/she can ask the teacher in the classroom. Next time, pay $20 for a domain and a month of hosting and protect your investment of $$,$$$ that you’re paying to the university.
March 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I’m sure that almost every single post-secondary student out there has shown their homework to someone else… the key to this is not that you copy the answer, it’s that you learn where you’re going wrong and figure out how to do it right. I frequently get help this way and help people this way, there’s no problem with it. I’m attending McMaster University… I remember my 1st year engineering, the physics department set up forums for this reason. They let people post tips, hints, and ways to get to the final solution… it generates some very interesting feedback and debate and really makes you think when there’s conflicting solutions.
If someone is dumb enough to straight-up copy, they will most likely fail the course anyways. Although it’s easy to copy homework, it almost impossible to copy tests and exams… which usually make a very large portion of the course.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
“If this is the case why do we need universities! Just stay home and get yourself a bunch of books!”
Actually, the way schools are run these days, that’s not a bad idea. You won’t get your cookie-cutter degree, so you won’t be able to make lots of money, but you’ll be more intelligent and more human than any university can make you.
Also, ombudsperson is a stupid word–it’s ombudsman. PC verbicides FTL.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Wow, is that an overreaction.
It sounds to me like the schools are forgetting what they’re purpose is supposed to be in the first place. Always thought a university, or college was a place you pay to learn, not be given redundant busy work. Thats what high school and before were for.
If people can still understand the concepts at work the end of the day, why not give the answers. Such importance on these answers I can’t help but feel undermines the whole purpose of learning them.
And, yeah, college degrees are getting increasingly overrated, and most now are not worth the overhead.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:56 am
Hey Guys…this is horrible. As a soon-to-be grad (hopefully) from San Diego State…this is more of the old thinking that the ivory tower shoves down our throat.
Is it OUR fault that schools are so antiquated they don’t understand that Facebook is like a virtual study hall or dorm room or any other place we would all normally study?
Don’t let Chris take the fall on his own.
Go to www.ChrisDidntCheat.com and buy something from the CafePress store. The money will be donated to Chris. He can either use it for legal expenses or for a round of beers (which I think we can all agree he’ll need during/after this debacle).
Spread the world.
www.ChrisDidntCheat.com
March 11th, 2008 at 8:19 am
If all the assignments were worth 10% of his final mark this means that if there were 10 each one was worth 1% of his final mark….which is next to nothing. When assignments are worth this little collaboration is and should typically be allowed. Avenir still had to write a midterm and final exam which counted towards the bulk of his final mark.
I read somewhere that he got a B in the class..so he must have done well on the midterm and/or final exams. This means that he knew the course material.