What was the command to me able to log into your school account using terminal. I forgot.

ssh yourafsusername@gpunix.umr.edu

I always used ssh username@gpunix1.cc.umr.edu

what is the difference?

I'm pretty sure gpunix1.cc.umr.edu was an old server that had special stuff , but gpunix.umr.edu redirected to it.
and I think I remember somthing about the old gpunix1.cc being retired

Actually, it might be another machine. Look at the DNS replies I got:

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: gpunix.umr.edu
Address: 131.151.35.6

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: gpunix1.cc.umr.edu
Address: 131.151.35.15

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: gpunix2.cc.umr.edu
Address: 131.151.35.16

Well I can still get on, so i am either being redirected or it is their. The computer that it says i am on is rc05acs212.desktop.umr.edu

The host 'gpunix.umr.edu' is a round-robin DNS resolved name ("multiplexor") for both the 'gpunix1.cc.umr.edu' and 'gpunix2.cc.umr.edu' virtual machines. You go to it, you actually wind up on one or the other. Both are Linux systems running inside a VMWare hypervisor on some rack of hardware deep in the depths of the CS building. I think 'cgi.umr.edu' and a few other utility-based server names also point to one of 'em.

The hostnames 'rocket.cc.umr.edu' and 'saucer.cc.umr.edu' also point to these two machines. They were the old general purpose unix machines back when the IT/CIS group picked interesting names for hardware. Both were dual-processor 200 MHz PA-RISC boxes running HP-UX 10.20. And they kicked major ass when they were around. Triple-digit day uptimes were common. Linux just doesn't feel as rock-solid... The hostnames were transitioned to the Linux boxes when the HP machinery was phased out. That was around 2002 or so?

Ah. Good times gone by.

that's right, saucer and rocket... good times
didn't someone actually buy one of those two from surplus or something like that?