College student faces potential expulsion for listing dorm room on Airbnb

BOSTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A student at Boston's Emerson College said he is facing potential dismissal from the school after he was caught renting out his dorm room on Airbnb.

Jack Worth, 19, said he listed his dorm room on the lodging website to help offset some of the costs of his education, but after only a little over two weeks, and three different lodgers, the school found out about the listing and told him to remove it.

"Emerson is a fantastic location," Worth told Boston.com. "There's a high level of interest of travel in this neighborhood because it's so centrally located. I saw this as a way to make some money, but also help some people out."

Worth said he was fined $150 by Airbnb after removing the listing and the school is pursuing charges of misconduct that could lead to disciplinary action as severe as dismissal.

A Change.org petition supporting Worth had more than 400 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

"The charges will be formally brought in an upcoming student conduct hearing. By signing this petition you are supporting Jack and his honest, entrepreneurial endeavor," the petition reads.