Yes. This is my understanding as well. We have SP and OWP approved for both of us. However, travel exception letter we are yet to receive. Hope it will come once our passports are stamped.
Yes of course. If university is not on the approved list then no one is allowed. But @scaria197 pointed that job is not required to travel with spouse if you have OWP.
Well, as per my knowledge. I know spouses who have travelled together recently. Immediate family members are allowed to travel. If your point is towards WP, what is Open Work Permit? Which means you don't need a job otherwise it makes no sense
You will surely get Passport request in a couple of days. What I observed is there are lot of approvals all together region wise. This week in Russia many got approved.