alt Hacker News> you conceal your actions if you believe others will try to stop you
Which is conveniently exactly what the statute requires to establish criminality: knowingly exceeding authorized access. They have a lawful right to stop you (revoking authorization), you do not have a right to proceed anyway. This is the "wrong" and is accordingly a federal felony.
Did the university at any point specifically communicate to him that he is refused access? I find that a very defining point.
Automated limiting, or blocking is not the same as explicitly saying you as a specific person or entity are forbidden.