I do not think your ssh connection needs to tunneled through a VPN at all. Ssh is a secure way to transmit and recieve information without a VPN. I suppose you could use a VPN with ssh, but it seems redundant. NFS is another matter, though.

I have to agree. Having been to Bloomington, I think that there are two ways you could confuse Bloomington with New York:
1 - You have never left Bloomington
2 - You have visited New York

since if if you had ever been to Bloomington and New York you would find ample evidence that the local university is not sufficient to provide even one or two legitimate tech based companies with experienced/talented employees.

You must be heavily invested in the local area.
Too bad.