Societal change will come when we change the cultural meanings attached to gender. If the university had no power over the students, there would be total chaos. Power is the basis of societal institutions. Max Weber defines power as the ability to achieve desired ends, despite resistance from others. A source of legitimate force.
Violence is the ultimate foundation of any political power.
The State claims the right to use violence on its people. Legitimate power people accept authority as right. A cop pulls you over and gives you a ticket he has authority over you because we give policeman that power. If the professor were to flag you down and say you were speeding and that you had to pay a fine, you would think she was crazy because she does not have that authority. If a student went up to the professor and told her she should be fired, nothing would happen because the student does not have the authority to fire her.