Brazil School Lifts Minidress Expulsion

A Brazilian woman whose short, pink dress caused a near-riot at a private college and led to her expulsion will be allowed to return to class. The private Bandeirante University today reversed its decision to expel 20-year-old Geisy Arruda following a flood of negative reaction in a nation where skimpy attire is common. Videos of students ridiculing her and making catcalls Oct. 22 made her an Internet sensation.

Just hours after the Brazilian government sought an explanation from the university, its dean released a statement saying he was reversing the school's decision to expel Arruda. Arruda earlier said she was never warned by university officials that her dress was too racy. "If a security guard or a professor had told me something I would have humbly returned home and changed my clothes," she said, accompanied by seven lawyers at a packed news conference. (More Brazil stories.)