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 18 Through Sunday, August 21, 2022
If you are unable to move-in on the 18th 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 |
| 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. |
Central Field |
| 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Campus Cookout Bring your families and join us for a free cookout! |
Alumni Plaza (Student Center Back up for weather) |
| 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
FREE COVID Vaccination Clinic |
Founders Hall Lobby |
| 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
Campus and Classroom Tours |
Fireplace/Comfy Couches 2nd Floor Student Center |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
MUST ATTEND: Mustang Meetings |
On Campus – Residence Hall Lobby's Off Campus - Fireplace/Comfy Couches 2nd Floor Student Center |
| 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. | Dinner Eat with your Orientation Leader & Resident Assistant |
Residential Restaurant |
| 7:30 - 8:15 p.m. | Mustang Volleyball Late Show Come watch the SMSU Volleyball team in their Brown vs. Gold Scrimmage! It’s a great time to check out the team before the season starts on September 3rd! |
PE Gym |
|
8:30 - 9:30 p.m. |
MUST ATTEND: Dr. Joe Martin |
SMSU Theatre |
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast | Residential Restaurant |
| 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 |
| 9:00 - 8:00 p.m. |
Groom Room Mobile Barber |
Plaza sidewalk between Common's East and Conference Center |
| 9:00 - 9:20 a.m. |
MUST ATTEND: Mustang Meetings |
On Campus – Residence Halls Off Campus – RA Lobby |
| 9:20 - 10:00 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 |
| 10:00 - 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 about how to find success early and throughout your SMSU career! |
Central Courtyard (Between BA/PE/SC/FA) |
| 11:00 - 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 |
| 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Residential Restaurant |
| 1:30 - 2:00 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 - 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! |
Central Field | |
| 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, PS4 and WiiU for free! |
Mustang Zone | |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
Jumpstart on Finding a Job |
SC 206 |
| 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Access Opportunity Success (AOS) This session is an opportunity to meet AOS service Faculty find out how the program can assist you while attending SMSU. |
AOS/ODI Commons East |
| 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Student Success Tips - Academics Prepare yourself for your 1st semester of college with some tips to help you achieve the academic success you want. |
SC 206 |
| 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | MUST ATTEND: Mustang BBQ Grab a sandwich and enjoy hanging out with other students on campus! |
RA Facility |
| 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Mustang Athletics Welcomes New Students to the Stable Meet you fellow new students playing sports at SMSU and then have some fun with a variety of games run by team members – Spikeball with the Volleyball team, Pickleball with Tennis, Chipping and Putting with the Golf Team, Field Goal Kicking, Punting and Football toss with Football, Bottle Bash Frisbee with Men’s Basketball, Washers with Women’s Basketball, Modified Horseshoes with Softball, Pull-up and push-up contest with Wrestling, and match game/water balloon toss with Swimming and Diving and more |
RA Facility |
| 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Wheelchair Basketball Demo |
PE Gym |
| 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | eSports Open House See where our eSports team practices and competes! Challenges are being held team vs. students! If you think you can keep up with our Division II players… prove it! |
ST 266 |
| 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
Movie on Scoreboard |
RA Facility |
| 9:30 - 12:00am |
DJ Party |
RA Facility |
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | 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 |
| 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. | Scavenger Hunt Get to know more about the SMSU campus and win some cool prizes. Join the Gold Rush Scavenger Hunt! You can play as an individual or create a team of up to three people. The hunt can be completed in 45 minutes. (Register and begin the hunt no later than 11:15.) You’ll share completed hunt picture sot be eligible for prizes. |
Meet at Lower Level SC (by Coffee Shop) |
| 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Brunch | Residential Restaurant |
| 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, PS4 and WiiU for free! |
Mustang Zone | |
| 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Campus and Classroom Tours |
Fireplace/Comfy Couches 2nd Floor Student Center |
| 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Nerf Gun War |
RA Facility |
| 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 |
| 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Hammock Hang |
Grounds Next to Social Science Building |
| 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! |
RA Facility |
| 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Residential Restaurant |
| 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. | MUST ATTEND: What's It all About? Check in on the app for a chance to win a TV, Minifridge or BEATS Headphones. A heavy-duty hybrid show that covers diversity, substance abuse, and sexual assault. |
SMSU Theatre |
| 8:00 - 12:00 a.m. |
Mustang Zone Game Night |
Mustang Zone |
| 8:00 - 12:00 a.m. | Sounds of Summer Concert Check out downtown Marshall and Enjoy music from Roxbury-opening act and Nasty Habit. |
Parking lot behind Gambler/Mariachi |
| 8:00 - 11:30 p.m. |
STAT Bonfire |
RA Gravel Lot |
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 - 12 p.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. |
Central Courtyard |
| 11:00 - 1 p.m. | Brunch | Residential Restaurant |
| 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. | Soccer Open Pickup Game-Open to all! Sponsored by the SMSU Soccer Club, enjoy a game of soccer at the Regional Event Center! All skills levels are welcome! |
Schwan Regional Event Center |
| 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Mustang Zone Games Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS4 and WiiU for free! |
Mustang Zone |
| 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. |
What's there to do in Marshall? |
Busses Leave from Conference Center |
| 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Transfer and Non-Traditional Student Social Transferring to SMSU? Stop by the coffee house for your favorite Starbucks beverage on us and meet other incoming transfer students. We’ll chat, answer questions, and hear from some current students who transferred to SMSU. Prizes will be available. |
Coffee Shop |
| 2:00 - 2:20 p.m. | How to Use the MAT Bus System
Getting around Marshall isn't’t too tough, but using the MAT Bus system makes it even easier. Come for a session explaining the routes of the different Marshall Area Transit (MAT) bus system lines to learn how to get around town for fun, food, and shopping for the things you need without driving. The scheduled stop of the MAT Bus System red Line is at 2:25 p.m. After the presentation interested students can ride the route to see all the stops. |
Lower Ballroom Lobby |
| 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Campus and Classroom Tours |
Fireplace/Comfy Couches 2nd Floor Student Center |
| 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
Pool Party - Hosted by Mustang Swimming and Diving Team |
SMSU Pool |
| 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Shooters Sporting Clays Whether you’re a skilled marksman or a novice, come join us at Shooters Sporting Clays for some stress-relieving recreational clay target shooting! Shotguns, shells, ear protection, and eye protection (sunglasses, safety goggles, etc.) will be available for your use, free of charge, at Shooters. You can bring your own if you have them. A mini-bus will leave from the front of the Conference Center at 2:45. If bringing your own shotgun, please plan to follow the mini-bus in your personal vehicle in order to comply with provisions of the SMSU Weapons policy regarding storage of firearms in vehicles. Important note – firearms are not allowed on campus. Please review the full SMSU Weapons Policy at https://www.smsu.edu/resources/webspaces/nca/policies/G-008.pdf |
10713 300th Street, Marshall, MN 56258 |
| 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Open Skate Walk to the Marshall’s new Red Baron Arena to see the facility and rent some skates for some time on the ice! Skate rental is FREE! |
Red Baron Arena Meeting Place: Outside the front of the Student Center |
| 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Drama Club Improv Join the SMSU Drama Club as they present an evening filled with hilarious original sketches, comedic scenes and much more! |
Black Box Theatre |
| 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Residential Restaurant |
| 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. |
Mustang Happy Hour |
Second Floor Student Center-Outside Admission Office/Mustang Card Center/Mustang Zone |
| 7:30 - 8:00 p.m. |
MUST ATTEND: Final Mustang Meetings |
On Campus – Residence Halls Off Campus - Fireplace/Comfy Couches 2nd Floor Student Center |
