MARSHALL — Move-In Day is today at Southwest Minnesota State University. Today kicks off Gold Rush Days, a new student orientation program that runs through August 20th.  

Move-In Day will have volunteers known as ‘Mustang Movers’ to help carry belongings to residence halls. The tradition, started by the late President Doug Sweetland, has continued thanks to SMSU athletics, students, faculty, staff, and the community.  

Check-in continues throughout the day until 5:00. There will be Schwan’s ice cream treats being handed out from 10:00 until noon. A move-in day campus picnic will be from 11:00 until 2:00 for students, families, and movers. Tours of the academic buildings will start in the afternoon. The first day of Gold Rush Days will wrap up with a speech by Dr. Joe Martin, an academic motivational speaker. 

Dr. Martin is also the featured speaker at the convocation on Friday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. in the Upper Conference Center. Following convocation, students meet their academic advisors.  

The afternoon is highlighted by Saddle Up!, an engaging program to connect new students, promote campus unity, and ignite school spirit! A Campus Scavenger Hunt allows students to learn about a variety of services our campus offers. The afternoon is filled with a variety of games followed by the Mustang BBQ. Students can hop on a shuttle to Sounds of Summer events in the evening capped off by a dance party in the Lower Conference Center. 

On Saturday, Aug. 19 there will be activities such as mud volleyball, whiffle ball, hammock hang, frisbee disk golf, laser tag, and amusement games. Student Alumni Association will host a bonfire starting at 8:30 p.m. Students will also have the option to hop on a shuttle downtown for the Sounds of Summer events. 

Gold Rush Days wrap up on Sunday with yoga, scooter tours of Marshalls parks, a session on how to use the MAT Bus, and a wide selection of activities. Closing out the day is a Mustang Happy Hour program where students can learn more about campus involvement.  

Fall semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 21.