Rocker Ready Schedule Information

Welcome to Our South Dakota Mines Family. All new students will need to attend an orientation prior to the start of the semester. Rocker Ready helps prepare you for your academic career here at South Dakota Mines. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to meet new people and have a lot of fun. After orientation, Rocker Launch starts with different, fun and entertaining programs and activities each night!

Fall 2023 Information:

Save the Date! Fall Rocker Ready Orientation will be August 17-20, 2023. Below is a tentative schedule.  Each student will receive their official Orientation schedule via email, and a hard copy will be available at check-in.

Thursday, August 17, 2023 (Move-In/Check-In Day)

Time   Event:  Location
7:30 am-4:00 pm Campus Offices Open 

Registrar’s: Located main level of O’Harra Bldg

Financial Aid: Located main level of O’Harra Bldg

Cashier’s Office: Located on the main level Surbeck Center

Counseling: Located on the main level Surbeck Center

Accessibility Services: Located 2nd floor Devereaux Library

Rocker Shop (Bookstore) Pick up your textbooks, last-minute supplies, or some Hardrocker Gear! Located on the main level of the Surbeck Center
Various Locations
8:00 am-4:00 pm Move Into Residence Halls Residence Life Office-Main Level of Surbeck Center

9:00 am- 3:00 pm

Orientation Check In and Laptop Pick up. (Must have your Grubby ID to pick up laptop) (Pre-sign up on New Student Checklist)Main Level Devereaux Library
4:30 pm- 7:00 pmDinner on your Own (Dining Hall Hours 5:30 pm-8:00 pm) Meal Plans beginDining Hall/Off Campus
7:00 pmAll Hall Meeting for Residence Hall StudentsSurbeck Ballroom
8:30 pmResidence Life Welcome Event Mentalist Wes MathisonSurbeck Ballroom

Friday, August 18, 2023 (Required)

Time   Event:  Location
9:00 am-10:00 am Breakfast TBD
10:15 am- 10:30 am Rocker Ready Kickoff (Students receive Beanies) O'Harra Stadium
10:30 am- 11:00 am Time with your Mentor Various Locations
11:00 am- 12:00 pm Academic Program Meetings Various Locations
12:00 pm- 1:20 pmLunch and say goodbye to familiesKing Center-Fraser Gymnasium
1:30 pm- 2:30 pmSex and the Law PresentationKing Center- Goodell Gymnasium
2:45 pm- 3:15 pmFaculty Ed TalkVarious Locations
3:25 pm- 4:25 pmCampus Scavenger Hunt CompetitionVarious Locations
3:25 pm- 4:25 pmTransfer Student Experience CB 204-E
4:25 pm- 5:30 pmBreak and free time
5:30 pm- 7:00 pmDinner on your OwnDining Hall/Off Campus
7:00 pm-8:00 pmResidence Hall Floor MeetingsResidence Halls
8:30 pmWelcome Week Event Surbeck Ballroom


Saturday, August 19, 2023 

 Time  Event:  Location
8:30 am-10:00 am Breakfast on Your Own Dining Hall
10:00 am- 10:40 amCampus Life and Traditions Homebase Locations 
10:40 am- 11:10 amTech Talk with IT Homebase Locations 
11:20 am- 11:50 am Conference Style Block 1 Various Locations
12:00 pm- 1:30 pmLunch Dining Hall 
1:40 pm- 2:10 pmConference Style Block 2 Various Locations 
2:20 pm- 2:50 pm Conference Style Block 3 Various Locations 
3:00 pm- 3:30 pm Break  
3:30 pm- 6:00 pm Downtown Rapid City Food Crawl Downtown RC 
6:30 pm- 8:00 pmRowdy Rocker Welcome Picnic King Center Parking Lot 
6:00 pm- 9:00 pmWelcome Week EventKing Center


Sunday, August 20, 2023

Time Event Location
10:30 am Non-Denominational Service (Sponsored by Campus Ministries) Surbeck Ballroom
11:00 am- 1:00 pm Lunch Dining Hall
2:00 pm- 3:00 pm Tips and Tricks to be a Successful Hardrocker Surbeck Ballroom/ CB 204 E/W
7:00 pmMass with Father Mark (Sponsored by the Newman Center) Newman Center 
8:00 pm-11:00 pmWelcome Week Event Robbinsdale Lanes
9:00 pm Residence Life Event: Letters from Home Residence Halls 


Additional Orientation Sessions

Orientation: Parents and Families

August 17- Move into Residence Halls & Parent/Family Sessions
August 18- Parent/Family Sessions & Farwell Lunch
For a complete list of events visit our Parent Page

Orientation: Athletics

Football
August 5th Move into Residence Halls
August 6th Student-athlete & (abbreviated) parent orientation

Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country, Cheer
August 12th Move into Residence Halls
August 13th student-athlete & (abbreviated) parent orientation

Student Athletes will receive a schedule and more information from their coaches. Athletes are also required to attend the in person Rocker Ready Orientation on August 18-20, 2023.

Orientation: Veterans

Fall 2023 Veteran's Orientation will be Thursday, August 17 from 11am-1pm in the Rich and Trudy Wells Veteran's Resource Center.


Orientation: International Students

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 9am-1:30 pm
All international students must complete the online orientation sessions. This orientation provides international students with information specific to their status and transition to the US and South Dakota Mines. All international students are required to complete the Online orientation sessions in addition to attending this in person orientation. We must perform this initial check-in per U.S. government regulations. You will need all your immigration paperwork. You will receive an email regarding this.


Office for Inclusion - Pre Orientation

Monday, August 14- Thursday, August 17, 2023
Although this program is geared toward all incoming domestic students of color, including those that self-identify as one or more of the following: American Indian, African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, anyone is welcome to join. *Note Tribal enrollment is not required to attend. *The Office for Inclusion Pre-Orientation does not replace regular Orientation activities. All attendees are required to complete the online Rocker Ready Orientation, and participate in the Rocker Ready in person orientation.  Move-in starts at 9:00 am on Monday, August 14th and program will end at noon on Thursday, August 17th. Contact the Office for Inclusion with questions: cedric.collinge@sdsmt.edu or (605) 394-2213 



For additional information contact (605) 394-2336, orientation@sdsmt.edu.