Photo: Facebook

Connor Neurauter

The University of Calgary won't expel a student who was convicted of sexual interference of a 13-year-old girl, but the school has advised him not to come to campus this semester.

In November, 21-year-old Connor Neurauter pleaded guilty in a Kamloops court to one count of sexual interference with a minor. Another charge of possession of child pornography was later dropped.

Earlier this month, Neurauter was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years probation. He'll also be registered as a sex offender for 10 years.

The B.C. prosecution service says he served the first day of his sentence on Jan. 4, but the judge permitted him to serve the remainder starting May 4 after finishing his semester at the University of Calgary.

By Thursday evening, more than 52,000 people had signed a petition urging the university to expel Neurauter.

"While the courts have seemingly failed the victim, the University of Calgary now has the opportunity to help change the narrative of this story," the petition says.

The university said in a statement Thursday that Neurauter committed the crime before he was a student at the school.

"This is important, because our policies do not apply to activity that occurred before the person was a member of our campus community," the school stated. "We have no grounds on which to expel him."

Neurauter's mother, Susan Neurauter, said the university has asked him to stay off campus.

"They're saying they're concerned for him having a successful educational experience and that they won't be able to keep him safe."

She said her son has been threatened online and she's heard students are demanding class lists to find out where he's going to be on campus.

Neurauter, a former junior hockey goaltender, obtained nude photos from the girl and threatened to show them to her family.

 – with files from The Canadian Press