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SMSU Gold Rush Days

Gold Rush Days

Gold Rush Days at Southwest Minnesota State University is our new student orientation program designed to help you smoothly transition to life as a Mustang. During Gold Rush Days, you will have the opportunity to participate in various events. The programming will assist you in navigating the campus and connecting with new and current Mustangs, faculty, staff, as well as the Marshall community, all while having a blast! We are excited to welcome you to campus and to our Mustang Family.

Departments on campus are available to help you during Gold Rush Days with extended hours, visit this link to find more detail.

Before you arrive:

  • Check your SMSU.edu email often
    • Important information regarding move-in, coming to campus, and fall course delivery will be sent to your SMSU.edu email.
  • Move-in time
    • You will be assigned a move-in time in advance. Check your email for your personal check in time.

Move-In Day

Move-In for Incoming First-Year Students

Thursday, August 22 Through Sunday, August 25, 2024

If you are unable to move-in on the 22nd contact Residence Life at 507-537-6136 or email reslife@smsu.edu

Gold Rush Days Schedule

All events are open to all incoming freshmen and transfer students. 

Thursday Event Schedule
Time Event Location
8:00 - 5:00 p.m. 

Residence Hall Check-In
Grab your keys and start that move in process!

Birch Street outside Naoutha (Residence Life Office)
8:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Mustang Movers
Mustang Movers will be available for assistance! Our Orientation Leaders, athletes, faculty, and staff will be here to make move in as easy as possible!

8:00 - 4:30 p.m. Mustang ID Generation
Students, you can come to campus anytime between now and the start of class to get your Mustang ID. The student will need a form of photo ID, like a driver’s license, High School ID, or passport to verify who they are.

Mustang Card Center in Student Center

10:00-12:00 p.m. FREE Chair Massages
Enjoy a FREE chair massage courtesy of Health Source of Marshall.
Central Field
11:00 - 2:00 p.m. Move In Day Campus Picnic
Bring your families and join us for a free cookout!
Alumni Plaza (Student Center Back up for weather)
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Campus and Classroom Tours
Need another tour of campus or want help finding your classrooms? The SMSU Orientation Leaders (OL) will be available to show you around campus! Bring your class schedule and they’ll even show you where your classrooms are. Available to all new students! 

Student Center Second Floor

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Welcome/Mustang Meetings

Meet with your Resident Assistant (RA) and OL to learn about life on campus and events that are happening throughout the weekend! Soccer will be hosting an exhibition starting at 5:00pm for those that want to stop by between their house meetings and dinner!

On Campus – Residence Hall Lobby's

Commuter Students - Student Center Couches

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner in Social House
Eat with your Orientation Leader & Resident Assistant
Social House (Campus Dining)
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mustang Volleyball
Come watch the nationally ranked SMSU volleyball team and receive an SMSU T-shirt!
PE Gym
8:15 - 10:00 p.m.

Movie in Central Field

Dirty Dancing will be playing on the scoreboard at the Schwan's Regional Event Center. Bring a blanket and a chair to enjoy the movie under the stars! 

Central Field
Friday Event Schedule
Time Event Location
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Breakfast

Head to Campus Dining with your Mustang ID to get your day started! 

Social House (Campus Dining)
8:00 - 4:30 p.m. Mustang ID Generation
Haven't gotten your Mustang ID yet? You can come and get that checked off your list!
Mustang Card Center in Student Center
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Mustang Meeting

Meet with your Resident Assistant and Orientation Leader to learn about the day’s events.

On-Campus Students - Residence Halls

Commuter Students - Student Center Couches
9:40 - 9:50 a.m. New Student Photo
Join the rest of the incoming Mustang Family and take part in the biggest group photo you’ve ever seen! Wear SMSU apparel!
Alumni Plaza
9:50 - 11:00 a.m. MUST ATTEND: Convocation
Your official welcome to campus from the SMSU administration, faculty and staff! Hear from President Kumara Jayasuriya and a featured speaker Dr. Joe Martin, to find success early and throughout your SMSU career! 

The Upper Conference Center

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch/Hang Out Time

Available at Campus Dining. Don't forget your Mustang ID!

Social House (Campus Dining)
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

MUST ATTEND: Saddle Up!
Saddle Up is totally unlike anything else you have ever experienced. It’s entertainment! It’s fun! It’s the perfect way to make new campus friendships! This event is a great way to meet other new students and promotes campus unity and school spirit!

With music, games, and shenanigans, Saddle Up! is like TikTok but with live people. Prepare to meet your classmates as SMSU faculty Ben and Julie Walker introduce you to the rest of the class of 2027! Enter drawings and earn prizes. Can’t wait to see you there!

Location RA Gym

2:45 - 4:15 p.m.

MUST ATTEND: BEST

BEST is a group that sets to untangle the complicated web of sexual miscommunication and discover what the best behaviors are in these sometimes awkward situations. This program addresses sexual violence education initiatives.

Upper CC

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Activity Block

 

Combat Archery

Hosted by the Veterans club on campus; what’s more fun than inflatables and NERF wars?

RA Facility

ESports Open House

Stop by our practice room to check out the space and be entered to win prizes. 

ST266

Sand Volleyball

Join our sand volleyball tournament. No need to sign up in advance.

Sand Volleyball Courts

Bean Bags

Grab a partner or be paired up when you arrive to test your Bean Bag skills!

Central Field

Slip and Slide Kickball

Picture kickball… but with soap and slip n’ slides!  Hosted by our Enactus club, head to the grass lot for some games and a dunk tank.

Grass Lot by Campus Daycare.  Game times will be posted.

Mustang Zone Games

Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5 and Xbox Series X for free!

Mustang Zone
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Dinner

Don't forget your Mustang ID!

Social House (Campus Dining)
8:00 - 10:30 p.m.

Headphone Disco

Enjoy a dance party featuring multiple music playlists, arranged by two DJs broadcasted to wireless headsets! 

Lower Conference Center
Saturday Event Schedule
Time Event Location
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m..

Brunch

Grab some breakfast at Campus Dining. Don't forget your Mustang ID!

Social House (Campus Dining)
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Classroom and Campus Tours

Need another tour of campus or want help finding your classrooms? The SMSU Orientation Leaders (OL) will be available to show you around campus! Bring your class schedule and they’ll even show you where your classrooms are. Available to all new students! 

Student Center Second Floor
10:00 - 12:00 p.m..

T-Shirt Tie Dye

Join the Education department to Tie Dye T shirts! Bring your white shirts from attending the Mustang Volleyball Game!

Alumni Plaza
12:00 - 3:30 p.m.. Mud Volleyball
A staple of Gold Rush Days, Mud Volleyball is an event you won’t want to miss!  Sponsored by Mustang Maniacs and the Lynd Fire Department you can sign up with your orientation leader.  If you need a team the orientation leaders will find one for you.  Complimentary showers on site after the game!  
Green Lot (west of campus)
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Women's Soccer Exhibition

Watch our Women's Soccer team as they demonstrate their skills on the field.

REC
1:00 - 4:00 p.m..

Activity Block

This event will end at 3:00

Future Self

Start the year off right! Create vision boards and write letters to your future graduating self that will be given back to you at graduation.

Upper Student Center
Frisbee Disk Golf
BYOD (Bring Your Own Discs) or borrow some of ours (based on availability) and enjoy an afternoon playing disc golf on our 18-hole course.
Meet in RA Gym
Hammock Hang
Enjoy the outdoors, bring a book, and relax at the Hammock Hang.
Meet in the RA Gym
Courtyard Corral 
Outdoor Games: Spikeball, Kan Jam, Badminton, and Bean Bags
 Central Field
Mustang Zone Games
Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5 and Xbox Series X for free!
Mustang Zone
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Dinner

Don't forget your Mustang ID!

Social House (Campus Dining)
6:00 - 7:00 p.m..

BINGO!

Hosted by Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council (SMOC) enjoy free BINGO with great prizes! 

Upper Student Center
9:00 - 11:30 p.m.

Bonfire

Stop by for a s'more and music! 

RA Lot
7:00 p.m.. - 12:00 a.m.

Sounds of Summer Concert - Featuring The Fabulous Armadillos  Shuttle will pick up on Birch street and run routes from campus to downtown Marshall

Downtown Marshall
Sunday Event Schedule
Time Event Location
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Brunch

Remember your Mustang ID

Social House (Campus Dining)
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Yoga in the Courtyard

Take some time to de-stress and center yourself before starting the semester. No experience with yoga? No problem! All skill levels are welcome! Bring your own mat (or towel) and water! Be sure to wear something comfortable. Lead by Yogi Crystal Knakmuhs and Eb & Flow Yoga.

Alumni Plaza
10:00 - 2:30 p.m.

5 on 5 Basketball Tournament

Put together a team or be put on one once you arrive. Play in a single elimination tournament. All teams can be co-ed but are not required to be. 

RA Gym
11:30 - 1:00 p.m. 

Soccer Pickup Game

Join SMSUs club soccer team for a pick up game! 

Regional Event Center
11:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Mustang Zone Games Free Play

Student Center
12:30-2:30 p.m.

Activity Block

Shuttle Available to the Locations

Battleship in the Pool

Head to the SMSU Pool for an epic game of Battleship. Check out ZeeMee for the hype video. Choose your swimsuit or workout clothes but you will get wet! Teams of three will be created at the event or bring your own team! 

Don Palm Natatorium (SMSU Pool)

The Gym
Grab a shuttle to a popular hangout spot in Marshall- The Gym has Go-Kart Racing, Mini Golf, an Arcade, and Sand Volleyball courts. 

The Gym of Marshall
900 Clarice Ave, Marshall, MN 56258

Open Ice Skate

Free skate rentals are available for all SMSU students during this Open Skate time!

Red Baron Arena
1651 Victory Dr, Marshall, MN 56258
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

LGBTQ+ Social

Join our on campus LGBTQ+ club for button making in their Center! 

CH 105
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Campus/Classroom Tours

Need another tour of campus or want help finding your classrooms? The SMSU Orientation Leaders will be available to show you around campus! Bring your class schedule and they’ll even show you where your classrooms are. Available to all new students!

Fireplace/Comfy Couches 2nd Floor Student Center
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. What Is There To Do Here?

FREE Scooter Tours featuring the top spots in Marshall. Meet in the loop for tours that will be leaving at 1:00 and 2:00.

Departing From Front of Conference Center at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Mustang Happy Hour
Join us for root beer floats as an appetizer before supper or as a dessert after! It's a great way to finalize your Gold Rush Days weekend!

Sweetland Patio
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Mustang Zone Game Night

Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5 and Xbox Series X for free!

Mustang Zone
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Dinner

Bring your Mustang ID

Social House (Campus Dining)
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

How to Use the MAT bus

Learn how to use the Marshall public transportation. For $1/ride the MAT bus makes multiple stops around town including on SMSU’s campus.

Table outside of the Dining Hall
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Mustang Meeting

Your final meeting with your Resident Assistants. Get a good night's sleep because tomorrow classes start!