Many large organizations haven't even updated their networking components to gigabit transmission yet. Try to get on a roommate's newer (last year and a half) desktop or laptop (Windows or Mac) and see if the connection at your university is gigabit or fast (1Gbps vs 100Mbps). If it's only 100, the USB one would suit you fine. I'm personally holding out for a Thunderbolt gigabit solution, because my home network is all-gigabit.
I hope they come out with a suitable port replicator soon that doesn't involve a $1k display. I'm highly anticipating the upcoming Belkin hub 🙂