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 20 through Sunday, August 23, 2026
If you are unable to move in on the 20th, 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 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Residence Hall Check-In Grab your keys and start that move-in process! |
Birch Street, by the big white tent |
| 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Mustang Movers Mustang Movers will be available for assistance! Our Orientation Leaders (OL), athletes, faculty, and staff will be here to make move-in as easy as possible! |
|
| 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 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, such as a driver’s license, High School ID, or passport, to verify their identity. |
Founders Hall First Floor |
| 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Move-In Day Campus Picnic Bring your families and join us for a free cookout! |
Upper Conference Center/Upper Alumni Plaza |
| 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | MUST ATTEND: Welcome/Mustang Meetings Meet with your Resident Assistant (RA) and your Orientation Leader (OL) to learn about life on campus and events happening throughout the weekend! |
On Campus Students – Residence Hall Lobbies Commuter Students - Upper Student Center |
| 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Social Enjoy eating with your Orientation Leader & Resident Assistant. Don't forget your Student ID! |
Social House (Campus Dining) |
| 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Stuff-A-Stanger Come make your own Mustang as a big welcome to campus! There will be a dirty soda station as well. |
Upper Student Center |
| 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. | Mustang Volleyball Watch the nationally ranked SMSU volleyball team! |
PE Gym |
| 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. | Movie - The Lorax The Lorax will be playing in the Lower Conference Center. There will be popcorn for all students to enjoy. Bring a friend or meet new friends while relaxing before classes start! |
Lower Conference Center |
| 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Mustang Zone Games Come chill in the Mustang Zone! Play billiards, table tennis, PS5, and Xbox Series X for free! |
Mustang Zone |
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 a.m. - 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 |
| 9:40 - 9:45 a.m. | Donuts with Alumni Staff 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 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Meet Your Advisor Students will be divided into groups by declared major. Undecided students will also be grouped. 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! |
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 a fun, high-energy event designed to help you meet new friends, connect with classmates, and build school spirit! Enjoy music, games, prizes, and plenty of shenanigans as SMSU faculty Julie and Ben Walker welcome the Class of 2030. We 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 are an important part of college life and campus culture. Men as Peacemakers empowers student leaders to create party environments that are safe, fun, respectful, and free from sexual violence by encouraging students to rethink social interactions and spaces. |
The Upper Conference Center |
| 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. | Mustang Round Up Join us to connect with clubs, organizations, and campus resources while meeting classmates and getting involved at SMSU. |
Upper Student Center |
| 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner Don't forget your Mustang ID! |
Social House (Campus Dining) |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. |
Activity Block |
|
| Inflatable Obstacle Course Come try the inflatable course! We will time you to see how fast you can make it through the course. |
Central Field | |
| Friendship Bracelets & LEGO sets What is better than making bracelets and playing board games with your new friends?! |
Upper Student Center | |
| Sand Volleyball Join our sand volleyball tournament. No need to sign up in advance. |
Sand Volleyball Courts | |
| Pickleball Our pickleball club play a few rounds of pickleball! Come learn how to play or show your skill set on the court. |
Outdoor Basketball Courts | |
| 8:00 - 10:30 p.m. | Backyard Bonfire Bash Stop by for a s'more, games, and music! |
Central Field |
Saturday Event Schedule
| 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) |
| 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | TRC Open Have questions about D2L? How to access your email? SMSU Information Technology Services will be open for extend hours to answer any technology questions you may have before classes start. |
Main Floor of the McFarland Library |
| 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Classroom and Campus Tours Need another campus tour or want help finding your classrooms? The SMSU Orientation Leaders (OLs) 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 a.m. - 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 a 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! If you need a team, the Orientation Leader 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 |
|
| Campus Trails Explore our trails around campus with our Orientation Leaders! |
Meet in front of the PE gym | |
| Chalk Talk Come decorate our sidewalks with chalk and create fun designs while getting to know more people. |
Alumni Plaza | |
| 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 the Library Ever play mini golf with a path of books? Now you have a chance! Meet our Library staff and play Mini Golf between the books. |
McFarland Library, 4th Floor | |
| 5:00 - 7:30 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 |
| 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. | Mario Kart Tournament Compete against your classmates in a Mario Kart Tournament with the Esports team! Inquire about Esports and meet some of the team members! |
Mustang Zone |
| 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. | Sounds of Summer Concert Enjoy the Marshal downtown with live music by Viva Knievel. Shuttle will pick up on Birch Street and run routes from campus to downtown Marshall. The last shuttle back is at 12 a.m.. |
Downtown Marshall |
Sunday Event Schedule
| 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 No experience with yoga? No problem! All skill levels are welcome! Bring your own mat (or towel). Be sure to wear something comfortable. |
Central Field |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Campus/Classroom Tours Need another campus tour or want help finding your classrooms? The SMSU Orientation Leaders (OLs) 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 a.m. - 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. |
Upper Student Center- In Front of CIE Office |
| 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Flag Rugby Day- Female and Male Club Team Join the SMSUs club Rugby team for a pick-up game! |
Central Field |
| 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. |
Activity Block |
|
| 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) | |
| De-Stress Zone Join us for coloring, creating vision boards for the year, and building puzzles before the start of a busy semester! |
Upper Student Center | |
| Open Ice Skate Free skate rentals are available to all SMSU students during this Open Skate! The shuttle will pick up on Birch Street and run routes from campus to the Arena. Free!! |
Red Baron Arena | |
| 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | LGBTQ+ Social Join our on-campus LGBTQ+ club for button-making in their Center! |
BA 237 |
| 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | TRC Open Have questions about D2L? How to access your email? SMSU Information Technology Services will be open for extend hours to answer any technology questions you may have before classes start. |
Main Floor of the McFarland Library |
| 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Mustang Happy Hour Join our student association to end our fun weekend of Gold Rush Days for ice cream sundaes as an appetizer before supper or as a dessert after! |
Sweetland Lobby |
| 5:00 - 7:00 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 classes start tomorrow! |
On-Campus Students - Residence Halls |