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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 17 Through Sunday, August 20, 2022

If you are unable to move-in on the 17th 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!

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. Call 507-537-6573 to see how you can get your Mustang ID mailed to you! Once on campus during Gold Rush Days, the Mustang Card Center (student center) will be open Thursday August 19 & Friday, August 20 from 8 am – 4:30 pm. 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. SMSU Alumni Schwan's Ice Cream
Enjoy some Schwan’s Ice Cream sponsored by the SMSU Alumni Office!
Central Field
10:00-12:00 p.m. FREE Chair Massages
Enjoy a FREE chair massage courtesy of Health Source of Marshall.
Residence Halls
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 - 5:00 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.

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 – Residence Hall Lobby's

Commuter Students - Student Center Couches

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner
Eat with your Orientation Leader & Resident Assistant
Campus Dining
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mustang Volleyball
Come watch the nationally ranked SMSU volleyball team!
PE Gym

8:15 - 9:15 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joe Martin
If you attend, you receive a FREE T-SHIRT! Also, attend for your chance at winning a NEW TV or MICROWAVE!
Dr. Joe Martin’s message is always powerful, provocative, and practical. His unique insight into what makes good teachers great and what helps "motivationally-challenged" students become overachievers has made him a sought-after education speaker for more than 26 years. Dr. Joe has spoken for more than 750 organizations, colleges & universities, and K-12 school districts.

SMSU Fine Arts Theatre
Friday Event Schedule
Time Event Location
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast 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
9:20 - 9:35 a.m. Mustang Meeting 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!
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! 

Location is Conference Center Upper Ballroom

11:05 - 12:15 p.m. MUST ATTEND: 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 
**You will follow an Orientation Leader

12:00 - 6:00 p.m. FREE Prentice Street Barbers - Shannon Brown
Barber services for students of all cultures.

Plaza Sidewalk

12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch/Hang Out Time
Campus Dining
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. MUST ATTEND: Playfair
PLAYFAIR 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! PLAYFAIR is a great way to meet other new students and promotes campus unity and school spirit!

Schwan Regional Event Center

2:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Campus Offices Open House

  • Athletics - RA Spine (outside weightroom)
  • Center for International Education - SC 237
  • Chartwells - SC 143
  • Counseling and Testing Services - BA 156
  • Deeann Griebel Student Success Center - IL 224
  • Elizabeth Lockwood SMSU Alumni and Visitors Center - 1430 E. College Dr.
  • Financial Aid - IL 145
  • Health Services - BA 158
  • Mustang Card Center - SC 225
  • President and Administration Offices - FA Second Floor
  • Registration and Records - IL 148

 

2:45 - 5:30 p.m. 

Activity Block

Sand Volleyball
Sign up for Sand Volleyball before 1:00 p.m. in the Student Center and arrive at the courts by 2:45 p.m. for announcements. Sign up individually or with a team!
Sand Volleyball Courts
Bean Bags
Grab a partner or be paired up when you arrive to test your Bean Bag skills!
Grass Lot by Campus Daycare Center
Slip and Slide Kickball
Picture kickball… but with soap and slip n’ slides!
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
Combat Archery Tag RA Facility
5:00 - 6:30 p.m. MUST ATTEND: Mustang BBQ
Grab a sandwich and enjoy hanging out with other students on campus!
RA Lot
5:45 - 6:00 p.m. Mustang Athletics Home Field/Court Advantage Program
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Activity Block - Athletics Team Games with Students
eSports Open House ST 266
Football - Field Goal Kicking, Punting, and Football Toss REC
Golf - Chipping and putting RA Lot
Men's Basketball - Beersbie RA Lot
Softball - Horseshoe-Like Game RA Lot
Swimming and Diving - Pool Tours and Match Game/Water Balloon Toss Pool and RA Lot
Tennis - Pickleball RA Lot
Volleyball - Spike ball PE Gym
Wheelchair Basketball demo RA Facility
Women's Basketball - Washers RA Lot
Wrestling - Pull-up/Push-up contest RA Lot
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Shuttle to Downtown – Need a ride downtown? A shuttle will be available starting at 7:00pm to bring you downtown for the Illusionist show and will bring you back to campus after it has concluded. The shuttle will be parked on Birch St outside of the Residence Halls to bring students downtown and will be in the Taunton State Bank parking lot to return students to campus.
8:00 - 9:15 p.m.

Illusionist - Jett Skrein
Marshall 150th birthday party

Sounds of Summer Stage (Downtown Marshall - Shuttle starting at 6:45 p.m.)
9:00 - 12:00 a.m.

DJ Party
Enjoy the evening dancing with your friends to all types of music! 

REC
Saturday Event Schedule
Time Event Location
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Classroom and Campus Tours
Student Center Second Floor
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mustang Zone Games
Free Game and/or Tournament Play
Mustang Zone
10:00 - 12:00 p.m. T-Shirt Tie Dye Central Field
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Brunch Campus Dining
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, 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!  Game times will be posted.
Green Lot (west of campus)
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Activity Block

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.
SS Parking Lot – Campus Disk Golf Course Hole #1
Wiffle Ball
Sign up with your orientation leader.  Game times will be posted.
Residence Hall Central Field
Mustang Zone Games
Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5 and Xbox Series X for free!
Mustang Zone
Hammock Hang
Meet at SS145 Dance Studio
Trees by Social Science

Campus and 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
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Web Survival Recap
Need a refresher on accessing your SMSU email, online classes, e-services, and more?  This Zoom meeting led by a member of the SMSU admission team will get you all the important information you need.  Log on with your own device or come to Student Center 249 to participate.
CH102
5:00 - 5:30 p.m. Intramurals Intro
Over 80% of students participate in intramurals every year! Find out what we offer, how to sign up and also learn about possible employment positions with intramurals!
PE Gym
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Dinner Campus Dining
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. MUST ATTEND: Speaking of Sex

SMSU Theatre
8:00 - 12:00 a.m.

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

Mustang Zone
8:00 - 11:30 p.m. Student Alumni Association Bonfire/Fire Pits

RA Lot

9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Sounds of Summer Concert - Time Machine with opening act Roxbury Drive from 6:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m. (There will be Marshall 150th anniversary fireworks at 10:00 p.m. shot from middle school parking lot. Shuttle to concert provided.)

Downtown Marshall
Sunday Event Schedule
Time Event Location
10:00 - 11 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.

FA/BA/PE/SC Quad
11:00 - 1 p.m. Brunch Campus Dining
11:30 - 1:00 p.m.  Soccer Pickup Game

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

Mustang Zone Games Free Play

Student Center
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. What Is There To Do Here? FREE Scooter Tours featuring the top parks in Marshall. Departing From Front of Conference Center at 1:00 p.m. at 2:00 p.m.
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Transfer & Non-Traditional Student Social

 

Coffee Shop
2:00 - 2:20 p.m.

How to Use the MAT bus - Presentation

Lower Ballroom
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Campus/Classroom Tours

Comfy Couches
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Activity Block

Shuttle Available to the Locations
Open Swim at Marshall Aquatic Center 400 W College Dr, Marshall, MN 56258

The Gym
Go-Kart Racing
Mini Golf
Arcade
Sand Volleyball

The Gym of Marshall
900 Clarice Ave, Marshall, MN 56258
Open Ice Skate
Red Baron Arena
1651 Victory Dr, Marshall, MN 56258
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Mustang Zone Game Night
Mustang Zone
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Drama Club Improv

Black Box Theatre

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Dinner

Campus Dining
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Mustang Happy Hour
Campus Student Leaders of Clubs & Organizations Meet & Greet

SC 137 (Indoor Entry from the Alumni Plaza)
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Mustang Meeting