It depends. You state that the university is "greatly responsible for the debt in the first place." What, exactly, does that mean? In Maryland, there is a general 3 year statute of limitation for collection of debts. There are some exceptions to this rule, however -- is the university a government controlled entity?
I would strongly recommend that you consult with a local attorney in your area about the specific facts of your case. It may be that you either have to pay the adjustment or that your attorney will need to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Best of luck.******The above is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client privilege.*******