If you are genuinely depressed over this, you should get out more!

With probably over half the worlds computers using Windows 7 and over 80% using some version of Windows, it is arguably wise of your college to be using it.

There is not the traction or expertise to go the open source route, certainly not in the UK.

If anyone is or wants to become an open source tyro they can do so, whether it is worth their time and effort imay be another matter for most.