Its not even “basically” a promotion. She’s a grad student. She just won’t have to teach, but there are many research or administrative duties that she can do. On top of that, she’s brought what I am sure is unwanted attention to her department and school. She’ll be labeled, even by the leftist profs who will say they support her.
Trust me, grad students HATE teaching. ANY administrative duties are preferable to them rather than teaching. Been there, done that.
Punishment would have involved giving her all 8am teaching assignments. Freshman at 8am.