Banana Republic of Spring Lake Park

As a former University of Minnesota employee, I watch with passing interest attempts to rejuvenate the University of Minnesota, 'attempts' being the operative word. The article yesterday reported on a 'silent protest' at the U over the proposed closing of the General College. Fair enough to have a public debate on this topic. There are probably good, cogent arguments on both sides. Having said that, would someone explain what the hell this means:

"We need students who can serve as trust bridges between the university and the many communities with which they identify," said Naomi Scheman, a philosophy and women's studies professor.

"We need students who can challenge us to think
differently, and to listen to and learn from those who have been marginalized, silenced or misinterpreted by the academic world," she said.

I'm just a dumb white guy who lives in the burbs so I need someone to explain to me:

1. What is a 'trust bridge'?
2. How does a student serve as a 'trust bridge'?
3. Why is it important for students to challenge the faculty to think differently?
4. Is there a manual or guide that outlines the duties and responsibilities of a 'trust bridge'?

The next paragraph raises more questions:

Armed with more than 3,300 signatures opposing the college's closing, Khong Xiong, president of the General College Student Board, told the regents that without the unit, several first-generation college students like him could not attend the university.

1. Is there a law that prohibits first-generation students from attending another college within the University?
2. Who signed the petition? Students? Faculty (who may be at risk of losing their jobs?) GC staff (who may be at risk of losing their jobs)? Spouses of GC faculty/staff (who may be at risk of losing income due to them losing their jobs)?

Then the final paragraph raises even more questions:

"Whatever you decide, make sure that your decision does not make the
university turn her back on the land grant mission nor the citizens of this
state," she said. "Especially the ones that need your protection the most."

1. When was the University's gender determined? Did the Governor sign a proclamation?
2. Is this new-found gender identity something that male students are comfortable with? If the University is indeed a female then shouldn't she have the right to determine her own identity? Even if that includes releasing herself from the bondage of the land grant mission that the white patriarchs shackled her with 150+ years ago?
3. When did the University get into the 'protection' business? Do they run a numbers racket too? Or is the 'U' now an arm of the Defense Department? Or is she an Auxiliary Unit of the Minneapolis Police Department? Or perhaps a member of the League of Super Heros (Heroines?). ( The thought of President Bruiniks in maroon and gold tights makes me want to seek therapy.)