Colleges Gear Up for Student Move-In Days in Fargo-Moorhead

As summer comes to a close, the Fargo-Moorhead metro area is preparing to welcome back thousands of college students. Move-in days for local campuses are set to take place between August 21 and August 24, 2023, with institutions like Minnesota State University Moorhead, North Dakota State University, and Concordia College gearing up for the influx.

At Concordia College, students are already feeling the vibrancy of campus life returning. The student-led orientation team is dedicated to ensuring that first-time students feel welcomed and supported. Martam Gregoire, a senior at Concordia, reflects on his own experience: “My two Orientation Leaders my freshman year were the best. They were super high energy. They were really welcoming. I immediately felt at ease being at Concordia because they were so great.” Now, Gregoire is part of the team that aims to provide that same sense of comfort to newcomers.

To facilitate a smooth transition, Concordia will enlist a large group of volunteers, including both students and staff. Sunet Rubalcava from Concordia’s Center for Student Success emphasizes the importance of helping students connect with campus resources, especially during such a pivotal time. “The first year of college is always the hardest one, so we want to make sure that we help the students connect with different campus resources,” Rubalcava stated.

As students prepare for move-in day, practical advice is also being shared to ease the process. Rian Nostrum, director of Residence Life at North Dakota State University, offers several tips. He recommends that students label their boxes for better organization and utilize campus-provided maps instead of relying on Google Maps. Nostrum also suggests leaving nonessential items at home, particularly for those living nearby.

“We joke with them that some of you are just … can’t wait. You’ve got the remodel plan in place for that room, and now it’s going to be the man cave or things like that,” he said, acknowledging the mixed emotions of students as they return to campus. “But regardless of their outwardly appearing emotions, we know that this is an emotional time,” he added. Nostrum further expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming students back: “I tell the students all the time, I love being distracted by you. I can do my work later, but to be able to interact with you is why I do what I do. And so I’m excited to have them all back.”

The move-in schedule for the area’s colleges is as follows: Minnesota State University Moorhead on August 21, 2023; North Dakota State University on August 23, 2023; and Concordia College on August 24, 2023. As student populations return, the campuses are set to buzz with activity, marking the start of a new academic year filled with opportunities and challenges.