Thousands Prepare for College Move-In Days in Fargo-Moorhead

As summer nears its end, colleges in the Fargo-Moorhead area are gearing up to welcome back thousands of students. Move-in days are scheduled for various institutions, with Minnesota State University Moorhead set to begin on August 21, 2023, followed by North Dakota State University (NDSU) on August 23, 2023, and Concordia College on August 24, 2023. The atmosphere is already buzzing as staff and students prepare for the influx of newcomers.

At Concordia College, a dedicated orientation team is working to ensure that first-time students feel welcomed and supported. Martam Gregoire, a senior at Concordia, reflected on his own experience, stating, “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 the same comforting environment for incoming students.

Sunet Rubalcava, from Concordia’s Center for Student Success, emphasized the importance of connecting new students with campus resources. “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 noted. The college will rely on a substantial number of volunteers, including students and staff, to facilitate a smooth move-in process.

Moving day can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety for both students and their families. To help ease this transition, Rian Nostrum, director of Residence Life at NDSU, has shared several practical tips. He recommends labeling boxes to maintain organization and utilizing campus maps rather than relying on Google Maps, which may not always reflect the best routes. Nostrum also advises students living locally to leave nonessential items at home to minimize clutter.

“There is often a lot of emotion surrounding this time,” he remarked. “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. But regardless of their outwardly appearing emotions, we know that this is an emotional time.” Nostrum added, “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.”

Students moving into Concordia can expect their dorms to be equipped with microwaves and refrigerators. This convenience means that many will want to avoid bringing additional appliances that may not be necessary.

As the move-in dates approach, the Fargo-Moorhead community is preparing for the vibrant energy that returning students bring. With the support of orientation teams, staff, and fellow students, newcomers can look forward to a positive start to their college journey.