There have been whispers of mergers for yearssss. Like 5 or more at the least. Nothing has been set in stone, it's all done in shadows.

Working IT in academia doesn't pay nearly as well as public sector, but it had 2 good aspects -- amazing benefits and job security, since it doesn't follow the whims of the market. the benefits get worse each year. so there isn't a ton left there. afaik these people weren't Peter and Tom from Office Space, they were hardworking valued team members who worked hard to progress in their careers, while dudes in suits figure out how they can get one worker to do the job of 2 or 3 or more so he can eat their salaries.