Woman in short dress can return to classes

SAO PAULO — 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 backed down Monday on 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 note saying he was reversing the school's decision to expel Arruda.

The Education Ministry had given the university 10 days to clarify its reasoning for kicking out Arruda, who had to put on a professor's white coat and was escorted away by police amid a hail of insults and curses from other students.

A video of the incident was posted on YouTube and quickly made headlines across Brazil. The university's decision to expel the student Sunday prompted complaints from the national student union and the country's minister in charge of women's policy, among others.

Sao Paulo state prosecutors had said they would investigate what led to the university's decision to expel Arruda, and she later told reporters through her lawyer that she was going to sue the teaching institution in hopes she could finish the semester there.

The dean's note gave no reasons for why the decision was being overturned.

Arruda and her lawyer could not be reached immediately for comment on the school's reversal.