I too live the academic life, on the other side of the desk after ten years as a student at some level or other. What surprises me is that UW wouldn't have a more robust support office for this kind of thing. In any case, the campus ain't a free range, so if you want your space unlocked without the Goth Gamerz lurking inside it, you gotta work with the people who are trying to help you set it up. At my current college, they play it fast and loose with space reservations and AV equipment, and I can say I'd be happy to jump through the hoops to get stuff sorted out before the show. I've called Gary a whiner in the past couple months, though, so I'll leave it at a sincere congrats for dealing with the red tape.
The thing is, I've seen guys tell each other seriously flaming shit on this board and not get dogpiled nearly as often as when a woman breaks off a flame.