Gold Rush Days Aug. 23-26 at SMSU

Published Friday, August 03, 2018

Students moving into the dorms at Gold Rush Days

Freshmen will arrive on campus for Southwest Minnesota State University’s Gold Rush Days orientation Aug. 23-26.

Classes begin for all students on Monday, Aug. 27.

Orientation is an opportunity for students to meet fellow first-year students while participating in a number of activities that help acclimate them to college life at SMSU.

“We are excited to extend a warm Mustang welcome to the Class of 2022. Gold Rush Days offers a variety of opportunities to connect with campus, the Marshall community, and fellow freshmen,” said Director of Admission Matt Suby.

Move-in Day is Aug. 23, and plenty of individuals will be on hand to help new students carry belongings into the residence halls. SMSU athletic teams, students, faculty, staff, and community members will assist in moving students into the residence halls, continuing a tradition started by the late President Doug Sweetland.

Residence Hall check-in begins at 8 a.m. on Aug. 23. Schwan’s ice cream treats will be handed out from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by the US Bank Campus Cookout in front of the Conference Center from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The Campus Religious Center will host an ice cream social from 2-4 p.m., followed by house meetings and dinner with orientation leaders and RA’s. Starting at 9 p.m., Sex Signals, a high-energy and humorous exploration of culture, sex, and the issue of bystander intervention, will be presented in the SMSU Theatre. A Pool Party will end the evening.

Convocation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, where students will hear from SMSU President Dr. Connie J. Gores and Provost Dwight C. Watson as well as alumna Veronica Fischer, featured alumni speaker.

Following convocation, students will meet their advisors. Various activities are planned during the day, including PLAYFAIR, a program for campus unity and school spirit; a bean bag tournament; a sand volleyball tournament; slip-n-slide kickball; and Student Success presentations on academics and mental health.

The evening will conclude with Laser Tag in the Lower Conference Center, and Pop Rocks, a high-energy live music show, performing at the Schwan Regional Event Center Plaza.

Activities continue on Aug. 25 with a scavenger hunt around downtown Marshall at 10:30 a.m. The Gold Rush Days staple, mud volleyball, begins at 12:30 p.m. An interactive wheelchair basketball demo will begin at 5:30 p.m. Blake Fly will give a 7:30 p.m. presentation about instilling acts of appreciation, recognition and thoughtfulness into your daily routine with a program featuring music, storytelling and humor.

On Aug. 26, there will be bus and biking tours of Marshall. Campus and classroom tours are also available. A soccer tournament will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Schwan Regional Event Center. Afternoon activity options include clay target shooting at Shooters Sporting Clays, and an SMSU Drama Club Improv Show. A Mustang Happy Hour with Student Body President Ola Ambimbola and other student leaders will be held at 4:30 p.m., and the Mustang Family photo will conclude Gold Rush Days at 7:30 p.m.

For more information about Gold Rush Days, call the Office of Admission at: 507-537-6286.