Ramblings from an old & new again government employee - thanks UW Housing

So,  I'm very excited that Friday brings about the 1 month anniversary of my new job as Systems Administrator for the UW Housing Department at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Another chance to show my "Badger Pride"-this time as a full time employee (FTE) for the department and ultimately the State of WI - The Housing IT offices are housed in the tiny Swenson House building, part of the LakeShore Dorms. 

Swenson House @ LakeShore 

 I worked for housing once before, as a limited time employee (LTE) in 1988-1989 as an assistant 'house fellow' of Bunn House in Ogg Hall (left). This is while attending the UW from '87-'92. The original Ogg Hall has been demolished and new one sits in it's place across the street.(Right) The new Ogg Hall houses our most modern and up-to-date Data Center for the Housing Department. A second, new data center is currently under construction at LakeShore.

You might think that doing Information Technology (IT) work for the UW, I'd somehow work for DOiT, the main technology depart for the UW, but, I don't. UW Housing has the ONLY other stand alone IT department on campus. We are like a "city within the city" of the UW.  We have guests that stay and eat with us. There is food service, catering and much more in UW Housing. With about 400 full time staff, UW housing supports over 7,000 students during the school sessions and this summer over 17,000 "campers and conference attendees" who stay in the dorms for various camps and conferences during the non-school year portion of the calendar. This keeps housing staff employed year round - and even though I'm a State worker - your taxes DO NOT fund my position. UW Housing pays for everything from funds raised via renting dorm rooms and selling food at our many dining locations...