[handsclean]

The university did not take this action directly in response to the issue, it took it in response to a call from a US senator regarding a law restricting freedom of speech. Such calls do not have a “no thanks” option. This is the normal way power is exerted, actually executing a punishment is the exception.

Your definition of freedom of speech is wrong per both US and international law. It is a freedom, the issue is the restriction of it, not just any punishment unjustly inflicted.