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Dear Bobcat parent and family members,
We can't wait to see students on campus next week! For some of you, your student is already on their way, or maybe they stayed in Bozeman for the summer to work, study, play -- or all of the above. Many first-year parents might be helping pack the car or have already hit the road with their student. Whatever the situation, anticipation and excitement are building for the beginning of a new school year.
The Fall 2023 Move-In Days are Sunday, Aug. 20, and Monday, Aug. 21. University Student Housing looks forward to welcoming students to their new homes. We've made plans to help ensure students and families have enough time to move in efficiently and safely. In addition to housing staff, we have hundreds of volunteers, including yours truly, helping the days run smoothly and keeping the mood upbeat as students meet their roommates and other new faces in the residence halls!
We emailed detailed instructions to your student about when and where to show up. University Student Housing's Move-In Days webpage contains details, including a traffic map, curbside unloading credential and temporary parking permit forms for your vehicle dashboard. The webpage also includes information on the check-in process, bike and ski storage, micro-fridge rental and what to bring to their new rooms.
A couple of other things to bring that aren't listed on the website are your sense of humor and patience. ? Moving your student into their residence hall may be emotionally and physically taxing, but rest assured that MSU staff and volunteers will be there to support and assist you and your student. Watch this online Fall 2023: Move-In on Campus webinar to get a sense of what to expect and help alleviate anxiety and stress.
Once your student settles into their residence hall room or off-campus housing space, MSU offers a series of co-curricular events and activities during the first four weeks of the semester to get them engaged and showcase the best of our campus community. We call this collection of programs MSU Debut, and each event is designed to equip students for a successful transition to MSU, empower them to contribute to the Bobcat community, and foster a sense of belonging.
Some highlights of MSU Debut events planned for the next week include the traditional "M" photo, where first-year students gather at Bobcat Stadium to create the iconic image to kickstart the year. The "M" photoshoot will be followed by the 2023 First Year Student Convocation at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Convocation will feature a talk by Stephanie Land, author of "Maid," the bestselling memoir about overcoming food and housing insecurity as a single mother while earning a college degree.
We sent a copy of "Maid" to all first-year students. I hope your student has made time to read this remarkable book over the summer.
Finally, if you travel to Bozeman with your student, we hope you will have a chance to enjoy some of the amenities our community offers. Bozeman has a wide variety of cafes, coffee shops and restaurants offering something for everyone. Many of these dining establishments and outstanding shopping opportunities are located in historic Downtown Bozeman.
On Sunday, Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Downtown Bozeman will host the Cruisin' On Main Car Show. In addition to cool classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, this annual event includes live music and food..
You can also explore the city's Main Street to the Mountains trail system or the Museum of the Rockies (also part of your university), featuring an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils and research.
See you soon,
Matthew R. Caires
Dean of Students