Gold Rush Days, Aug. 22-25

Published Thursday, August 15, 2024

Move-In Day 2022

New students will be arriving soon for fall semester at Southwest Minnesota State University. Gold Rush Days serves as the new student orientation program and runs Aug. 22-25. International students arrive for a mandatory international student orientation (MISO) program starting Monday, Aug. 19.

These comprehensive orientation programs provide new students the opportunity to meet classmates while participating in activities to help prepare them for their college life at SMSU.

Gold Rush begins with Move-In Day on Thursday, Aug. 22. Teams of volunteers known as ‘Mustang Movers’ will be on hand to help new students and their families carry belongings into residence halls. SMSU athletic teams, students, faculty, staff, and community members continue this tradition started by the late President Doug Sweetland.

Residence hall check-ins begin at 8 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. on Aug. 22. A Move-In Day Campus Picnic will be held in the Alumni Plaza from 11 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. In the afternoon, students can tour the campus to familiarize themselves with the academic buildings. Games, events, a club carnival, and movie night give students opportunities to meet others and explore campus.

On Friday, Aug. 23, highlights include convocation, the official welcome event with a featured speaker to inspire and engage the newest members of our Mustang Family. Saddle Up! is a high-energy event with drawings and prizes! Partying 101 prepares students for creating environments that are safe, fun, and respectful. Activities, trivia, and headphone disco end cap the day.

On Saturday, Aug. 24 there will be activities such as t-shirt tie dye, mud volleyball, future-self messages, hammock hang, Mario Cart Tournament, games, bingo, a bonfire starting at 9:30 p.m. Students will also have the option to hop on a shuttle downtown for the Sounds of Summer concerts.

Gold Rush Days wrap up on Sunday, Aug. 25 with yoga, soccer, open gym and a variety of activities including a pool party, open ice skate at the Red Baron, and free games at Brau Brothers. Closing out the day is a Mustang Happy Hour program where students can learn more about campus involvement.

For the complete Gold Rush Days schedule visit: https://www.smsu.edu/events/grd/index.html

Fall semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 26.

For more information about Gold Rush Days or to volunteer to be a Mustang Mover, call the Office of Admission at 507-537-6286.