Official Explanation

B, D

“While” is a detour road sign, indicating the contrast between what the university intended with the adoption of a new policy and the criticism that the policy received. For the first blank, predict that the policy was intended to satisfy or win the approval of the faculty. (B) is correct because mollify means to “appease” or “to make something better”; thus, mollifying the faculty would satisfy the faculty. (A), obviate, means to “prevent” or “eliminate,” which does not match the prediction. Censure, (C), means “to show disapproval” or “to officially reprimand.”

For the second blank, you want a word that indicates how the faculty characterized the university’s attempt to address a "serious problem." Since the faculty was critical, predict that they thought the university’s policy was a poor or feeble attempt. (D) is correct because tepid means “lacking in force” or “unenthusiastic.” Pugnacious, (E), means “combative” or “inclined to fight.” Polarizing, (F), means “to divide into sharply opposing groups.”