ORC Regularly Scheduled:
New User Tutorials
Currently, new users have to complete a New User tutorial module on blackboard. After submitting the account request form, you will receive an email with details on how to access the New User Tutorial module. Only once you complete the module, including the completion form with the required information, does your account get activated and you’re able to submit jobs on the cluster.
ORC Walk-In Office Hours
The current schedule for the ORC Walk-In Office Hours held regularly in Merten Hall 3112 are:
* Mondays: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
* Tuesdays: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
* Wednesdays: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
* Thursdays: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Virtual office hours are held every Friday between 2:00PM – 3:00PM. We encourage everyone using the cluster to take advantage of these hours, particularly students working on class projects and those who are new to utilizing the cluster. If these times don’t work, then appointments can be made to hold sessions online or at different times. Please submit a help request if you need to arrange a different time.
ORC by Appointment
ORC can offer one-on-one or small group tutorials covering several topics, including SLURM job submission, Python, and R. Please submit a help request to set up an appointment.
ORC Workshop Series
Every semester, the ORC conducts a series of workshops that cover useful topics on the cluster usage. Below is the list of planned workshops in the series for Spring 2026:
|
Date and Time (EST) |
Workshop Title |
Description |
|
02/26/2026, 2:00PM-4:00PM |
Data Transfer and Managing Databases on Hopper |
This workshop covers: 1- secure data transfer using Globus, best practices for moving large datasets, organizing project storage, and managing files efficiently across systems. 2- setting up and managing MySQL databases on the cluster, including configuration, performance best practices, and integration with research workflows. |
|
03/05/2026, 2:00PM – 4:00PM |
AI/ML Workflows on the Cluster: Slurm, Model Training and Efficient GPU Computing on Hopper
|
This hands-on workshop combines an introduction to the cluster environment and running jobs with SLURM (interactive and batch) with hands-on AI/ML examples using PyTorch and TensorFlow. Topics include managing Python environments, setting up GPU and multi-GPU jobs, and best practices for efficient AI model training on the cluster. |
|
03/19/2026 2:00PM – 4:00PM |
R and Biostatistics Workflows on the Hopper Cluster
|
This hands-on workshop introduces using R on the cluster for R-based workflows, including job submission with SLURM in batch mode, R environment management, using the R Studio app through the Open OnDemand Dashboard and reproducible biostatistics workflows on Hopper. |
Past Workshops
Access the recordings of previous workshops here
To register for the workshops, interested cluster users can fill out this registration form: ORC Workshop Registration
Other GMU Training and Workshops
Mason Libraries hosts many workshops and training sessions many of which may be of interest to research computing users. The sidebar on this page contains a selection of upcoming library-sponsored workshops. You can view the full calendar at the Mason Libraries’ site. You must register for these workshops, this can be done from the Library Calendar page.
- Data & Digital Projects Drop-In Hour
- Data & Digital Projects Drop-In Hour
- R you curious? - A Beginner's workshop on R and R Studio
Training and Workshop External to Mason
ACCESS
The ACCESS project has a very active list of training opportunities and workshops. You can find the current list of training events on the ACCESS Events and Training page. ACCESS training is generally free and open to all, although you must create an ACCESS account to be able to register.
The Carpentries
The Carpentries is a non-profit organization whose goal is to foster the necessary skills for robust, open, and reproducible research. There are separate organizations dedicated to different fields such as software, data, and library science. The Carpentries workshops are usually presented on-site. If there is sufficient interest, we can arrange for Mason to host workshops.
A list of training events run by the Software Carpentries can be found on the Software Carpentry website. Likewise, a list of Data Carpentry training events can be found on the Data Carpentry website.