Why else would they take the ban extremely seriously and take the actions mentioned? I guess it's possible they're worried about the ban spreading, but rescinding the ban seems more likely.

Or, maybe they don't want to be in a position where they are getting banned just in general? Like, maybe you don't mind getting banned from a specific bar, but you do mind being the kind of person that is getting banned from bars.

Of course, no PR person with anything would allow such a thing into their statements. The UMN is far too big to allow someone without some competency in PR.