by Kathryn Boast
7 October 2010
A Brazilian student who was expelled from university for wearing a mini-dress that was too short has won nearly £15,000 in compensation.
Geisy Arruda, 21, was escorted off the campus of Bandeirante University in Sao Paulo by police whilst wearing a white lab coat after the incident in October 2009. She was heckled by fellow students for "disrespecting ethical principles, academic dignity and morality."
Miss Arruda sued the university, claiming that their actions had violated her rights as a student, while they counter-claimed that she had planned the whole debacle as a way to boost her own fame.
Miss Arruda’s lawyers welcome the decision to award her the compensation, but are planning to appeal as they are unhappy with the amount. They had sought $600,000 but were only awarded $23,600.
The university has already re-admitted Miss Arruda due to the public backlash resulting from the popularity of a YouTube video of the incident.