The computer center at Calvin College was in a hole in the wall location in the main administration building. Though it was located on the ground floor, there were no outside windows in the place. And the offices of the computer staff were scattered in locations that also lacked outside windows. The administration did not want to spend a lot of money on the computer center because they thought that all this computing stuff was just a passing fad.

As time and technology moved on, the old big iron computer gave way to a much smaller more efficient system. And since the new system only occupied a tenth the space of the old system, the decision was made to down size the computer room and use it for office space for the computer staff.

Finally, the staff had a place that they could call their own. Gone were the days of working out of converted closets and store rooms. They now had respectable digs with respectable office furniture. But, they still were unhappy. Why? Because, they didn’t have any outside windows. And so, the cry went up to the administration to add windows to their office area.

I cautioned them that getting windows was not a good idea. After all, it was the lack of windows that made their office area undesirable to the other administrative functions in the building. In short, because there were no windows in their area, no body else wanted the space. But, they did not heed my admonition and continued to cry to the administration for windows.

As the old saying goes, “Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it.” And so it came to pass.

Windows, glorious windows were installed. Of course, there were the usual fights over who got an office next to a window but seniority prevailed and soon the staff was settled.

The real world could now be observed from the comfort of their desk chairs. They could now see sunshine, rain and blowing snow. Life was good. They had arrived.

But alas, it wasn’t too long before others noted that the once rejected hole in the wall had been transformed into premium office space. Soon, the question was raised as to why this premium office space was being used by the computer support staff. After all, the computer staff did not interact with the public. And because they didn’t interact with the public, they could be located anywhere on the campus. Soon, the ways of men prevailed and the computer center and staff were relocated to another building.

Their new digs were in the basement of the library, an area that nobody, absolutely nobody wanted. And, at 20 feet below grade, there was no chance of having a window. And while they no longer had windows, at least they knew that this would be their home for many many years.