MANKATO — Music thumped from speakers, student volunteers in gold hats directed traffic and minivans loaded with boxes lined up outside residence halls as Minnesota State University welcomed its newest class of Mavericks.
“It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m excited,” incoming student Ella Olson said as she began loading her next cartful of belongings outside the Margaret R. Preska Residence Community. “I’m excited to learn where everything is on campus and do all the fun stuff, but I’ll be nervous finding where I have to go and all that. I’m definitely a planner.”
Olson is from Rogers and was accompanied by her mother, Mary Kay Olson, who said this day represented the culmination of years of preparation, starting as far back as middle school.
“I’m excited because she’s so excited. I think saying goodbye to our dog was probably a little hard because they’re such best friends,” she said. “I have a pit in my stomach a little bit, but I’m trying to keep it light and fun for her.”
Hundreds of first-year students arrived Thursday, kicking off MSU’s annual Welcome Weekend with activity that turned the quiet campus buzzing. Move-In Day, organized by MSU Residential Life, marks a major milestone for students, families and staff as the year kicks off.
About 2,600 students will move into MSU’s campus residence communities during the four-day move-in window, Thursday through Sunday. Around 1,500 of those students arrived Thursday.
The campus coordinated move-in across five residential communities, including one off-campus location, said the assistant director for planning, marketing and administration, Nicole Faust. Residential Life staff and student volunteers worked in tandem to keep the process running smoothly.
“It’s like our Super Bowl. There’s other big days, but this tops everything,” she said.
Faust said upon arrival students receive their room key and some paperwork to fill out. From there “they just start moving in and can do their thing.”
Some students arrived with just a few bags, others with enough to fill multiple carts. Amid rows of boxes, televisions, gaming consoles, mini-fridges and teddy bears were among the most commonly spotted items in front of the residence halls. For many freshmen, it was their first time living away from home. For parents, the day was marked by a mix of pride, anxiety and excitement. Jackie Johnson said she had been a student here herself.
“It’s kind of like coming home. I feel comfortable with her being here,” she said about her daughter Cora. ‘It’s been a really big emotional journey these last couple days with preparing, but I feel like it’ll be great. There’s so much going on in the first couple days so there’s no time to cry.”
The university’s Move Crew, made up of nearly 400 student volunteers recruited months in advance, served as part of the welcome team. Most volunteers are from campus organizations and athletic teams, and assisted with unloading vehicles and helping families get settled, Faust said. Members of the women’s hockey team said volunteering has been an exciting and fun environment.
“We’re trying to keep the energy up. Everybody has nerves, so we just try to be welcoming the best we can,” Kianna Roeske said.
Volunteers stood at nearly every corner, helping to unload bins, navigate parking and answer questions.
“Some parents are a little nervous, so we just reassure them,” said volunteer Ava Guillemette. “And trying to make them feel welcome too, as well as their kids.”
To streamline the process, MSU staggered move-in times and deployed the Move Crew, which moved in earlier than the rest of the student body.
Students wandered through unfamiliar buildings with campus maps in hand. Wilson McMurray said moving into the dorm was a “piece of cake” and was equal parts nervous and excited for the upcoming year. Faculty and staff members were across the campus, greeting students and offering reassurance.
“This is such an exciting time of year,” said Daardi Sizemore Mixon, university archivist for library services. “The faculty on our campus are very supportive of our students, both new and returning. We are very excited to work with them, and hope they have a great MSU experience.”
Staff said the focus remains on building community, which means creating a welcoming, inclusive environment from day one.
“The word I go back to is energy. Starting this week and certainly through next week, there’s an energy that is unsurpassed,” recreation, parks and leisure services professor Jonathan Hicks said. “The start of fall semester is unique that way.”
Students are encouraged to explore student organizations, visit the Centennial Student Union and find ways to get involved from the very beginning.
MSU staff said that while move-in may be the first big step, it’s far from the last. The first week on campus is key to building relationships, establishing habits and laying the groundwork for academic success.
Jenny Turner, professor and teaching and learning coordinator, gave her best advice for new students.
“I think about myself as an undergraduate student especially, and I was very uncomfortable asking questions. I still don’t always love asking questions, so I think that’s something that I re-emphasize with them. Ask questions, even though it’s uncomfortable,” Turner said.
Welcome Week officially begins Sunday night and continues through the following weekend, offering a variety of social and orientation events to help new students connect with one another and learn their way around campus. Popular events include Choose-a-Palooza, the New Student Rally, Galactic Bingo and Find Your Class Tours.
“There’s lots of nerves and excitement, but I definitely feel prepared,” incoming student Cora Johnson said. “I’m really excited about meeting people and just getting out of my comfort zone.”