Instead of asking for full CGI abilities, start low and ask for SSI support (Server Side Includes). This will allow you to do many things to make your life easier like using the include directive to allow common headers and footers on the page.

It will also allow you to prove yourself in their eyes, and may lead to more access in the future...

SSI also has an 'exec' feature that allows you to execute CGI scripts, however that can usually be turned off.

- Cees