Avery

you can just use your netid and password to ssh into the machine ( avery.nubic.northwestern.edu)

Usually only the core packages are installed at the system level, and customized packages are installed in user's own home directory.

Here is a little info on how to do that (just replace the path with your own home directory)

http://answers.stat.ucla.edu/groups/answers/wiki/1e5f7/Installing_R_Packages_in_Nonsystem_Directories.html

Hope this helps.

Dong