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
Make sure to check your smsu.edu email to find more information about your Move-In time.
Thursday, August 21 Through Sunday, August 24, 2025
If you are unable to move-in on the 21st 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.
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
Residence Hall Check-In |
Birch Street outside Naoutha (Residence Life Office) |
| 8:00 - 2:00 p.m. |
Mustang Movers |
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| 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. |
Founders Hall First Floor |
| 2:30-6:00 p.m. |
Mustang Zone Games Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5 and Xbox Series X for free! |
Mustang Zone |
| 11:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Move In Day Campus Picnic Bring your families and join us for a free cookout! |
Upper Alumni Plaza |
| 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. |
Campus and Classroom Tours |
Student Center Second Floor |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
MUST ATTEND: 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! |
On Campus Students – Residence Hall Lobby's Commuter Students - Student Center Couches |
| 5:30-7:00 p.m. |
SMSU Club Carnival This will be a great way for incoming students to see all the clubs SMSU has to offer! Some of the Carnival booths include hot dog roller, shuttle run, mini golf, ice shaving, yard games like Jenga and more! |
Upper Student Center/Central Courtyard |
| 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! |
PE Gym |
| 8:15 - 10:00 p.m. |
Movie in the Student Center Forrest Gump will be playing in the upper student center. There will be popcorn, tie blanket kits, and face masks for all students to enjoy. Bring a friend or meet new friends while relaxing before classes start! |
Upper Student Center |
| 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! |
Founders Hall First Floor |
| 9:30 - 9:40 a.m. |
MUST ATTEND: 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 |
| 9:40-9:45 a.m. |
Donuts with Alumni Staff Come get some yummy donuts before the big day ahead! |
Central Field |
| 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! |
Central Field |
| 9:50 - 11:00 a.m. | MUST ATTEND: Convocation Your official welcome to campus from the SMSU administration, faculty and staff! Hear from our President and a featured speaker to find success early and throughout your SMSU career! |
The Upper Conference Center |
| 11:05-12:15 p.m. |
Meet Your Advisor Students will be divided into groups by declared major. Undecided students will also be grouped together. In this session you will learn more about your major, meet your faculty advisor, and hear more about the classes and opportunities that await you! If you are undeclared, there will be a special session to help you explore the majors offered at SMSU! |
Various Rooms Around Campus |
| 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! Prepare to meet your classmates as SMSU faculty Julie and Ben Walker introduce you to the rest of the class of 2029! Enter drawings and earn prizes. Can’t wait to see you there! |
RA Gym |
| 2:45 - 4:15 p.m. |
MUST ATTEND: Partying 101: How to Make Friends and Influence Environments Parties can be a vital part of the college experience. In turn, party culture has a big effect on the overall campus culture and environment. While every campus is unique, parties are consistently a significant point of intersection with sexual violence. This presents a tremendous opportunity for students to reimagine their social interactions and physical spaces! BEST helps student leaders create party environments that are safe, fun, and respectful for all participants - and where sexual violence does not occur. |
The Upper Conference Center |
| 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Activity Block |
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Combat Archery Hosted by the Veterans club on campus; what’s more fun than inflatables and NERF wars? |
RA Facility | |
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Sand Volleyball Join our sand volleyball tournament. No need to sign up in advance. |
Sand Volleyball Courts | |
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Slip and Slide Kickball Picture kickball… but with soap and slip n’ slides! Head to the grass lot for some games.. |
Grass Lot by Campus Daycare. Game times will be posted. | |
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Mustang Zone Games Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5 and Xbox Series X for free! |
Mustang Zone | |
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Friendship Bracelets & Board Games What is better than making bracelets and playing board games with your new friends?! |
Upper Student Center | |
| 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. |
Dinner Don't forget your Mustang ID! |
Social House (Campus Dining) |
| 7:00-8:00 p.m. |
General Knowledge & Music Trivia Test your music knowledge by coming to Music Trivia in the Student Center! |
Upper Student Center |
| 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 |
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 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's) 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! Get a free white SMSU shirt to keep or Tie Dye! |
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 - 4:00 p.m.. |
Activity Block |
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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 | |
| Hammock Hang Enjoy the outdoors, bring a book, and relax at the Hammock Hang. |
Meet in the RA Gym | |
| Tournament Starts at 1:00 P.M. Sharp |
Mario Kart Tournament and Esports Open House Compete against your fellow classmates in a Mario Kart Tournament in the Esports room! Tournament starts at 1pm and will run till the end with a Headset as the grand prize. Inquire about Esports and meet some of the team members! |
N/A |
| 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 | |
| Mini Golf in Library Ever played mini golf with a path of books? Now you have a chance! Come meet our Library staff and play Mini Golf between the books! |
McFarland Library | |
| 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 |
| 9:30 - 12:00 p.m. |
Bonfire Stop by for a s'more and music! |
Central Field |
| 7:00 p.m.. - 12:00 a.m. |
Sounds of Summer Concert -Featuring Whisky Rich and PopROCKS! Shuttle will pick up on Birch street and run routes from campus to downtown Marshall |
Downtown Marshall |
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 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. |
Central Field |
| 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. |
Campus/Classroom Tours Need another tour of campus or want help finding your classrooms? The SMSU Orientation Leaders (OL's) 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 - 4:00 p.m. |
ClipDart FREE HAIRCUTS given by ClipDart. At ClipDart, we redefine the way people receive haircare, however, what separates us is “Our Why". Kyle Parker founded ClipDart as a way to treat the mental unwellness of people of color that was attributed to an inability to self-care in a culturally familiar way. |
Lunch Atrium |
| 10:00-6:00 p.m. |
Mustang Zone Games Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5 and Xbox Series X for free! |
Mustang Zone |
| 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. |
Flag Rugby Day- Female and Male Club Team Join SMSUs club Rugby team for a pick up game! |
Central Field |
| 12:30-2:30 p.m. |
Activity Block |
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Pool Party Grab your swimsuit and head over to the SMSU Pool in the PE building. We will have some floaties and tubes for all to enjoy! |
Don Palm Natatorium (SMSU Pool) | |
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De-Stress with Pets Come down and meet some dogs! |
Upper Student Center | |
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Open Ice Skate Free skate rentals are available for all SMSU students during this Open Skate time! Take the shuttle to the Red Baron. Shuttle will leave from Birch Street. Free!! |
Red Baron Arena, Meet at PE Gym and Walk over | |
| 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. |
LGBTQ+ Social Join our on campus LGBTQ+ club for button making in their Center! |
N/A |
| 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Mustang Happy Hour |
Sweetland Lobby |
| 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
Dinner Bring your Mustang ID |
Social House (Campus Dining) |
| 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. |
MUST ATTEND: Mustang Meeting Your final meeting with your Resident Assistants. Get a good night's sleep because tomorrow classes start! |
On-Campus Students - Residence Halls Commuter Students - Student Center Couches |
