Can an apology justify or diminish the impact of incendiary remarks made by a student activist?

Apologies are just words and are meaningless. Show me changed behavior.

An apology cannot justify a comment made. A hurtful, harsh, and insulting remarks are the same regardless of someone apologizes afterwards. However, it does mean that the person who made the remarks is regretting their actions and is promising to do better. I will make a note that any comments made are protected free speech, and a public apology cannot be forced by the University.

It can't justify no matter what, but it could grant them one more chance.

While an apology can not justify this, it is free speech, so the student should have the right to attend the school.

I mean there is a difference between harsh remarks and violent remarks. If they said it to attack someone and that triggered someone else to hurt that person. I mean no apology can justify that but if it just said about that person and it caused only hurt feelings that is between the people involved to apologize or not.

Freedom of Speech is huge. Should not have to apologize because some ones feelings were hurt

In my opinion, student activist should not have to apologize because someone is offended. We do have the First Amendment which protects such freedom of Speech. Every one is free for his/her own opinion.