South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyMove-In Guide
Rapid City, South Dakota
🏫 Public UniversityEst. 1885🔗 www.sdsmt.edu
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's Rapid City campus, situated on the northern slope of the Black Hills, is home to the first licensed radio station established in the entire state, back in 1911, with all first-year students required to live on campus, most housed in Connolly Hall and Palmerton Hall.
Enrollment
2,216
Total Students
Freshman Class
554
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 20-21, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
82%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
The Parent/Family Information Table is located on the main level in the Surbeck Center lobby near the Beck Ballroom, offering free coffee, swag, and a chance to get questions answered. Sign up for Campus Alert as soon as you have your Mines student email address, so you can receive emergency notifications by phone or email. Housing contracts must be signed during Room Selection before move-in is possible - check the Housing Portal if you haven't received a confirmation email. Rocker Ready Orientation runs Thursday through Saturday, August 20-22, and your final schedule is emailed on August 19.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Residence halls are open for move-in 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with orientation check-in running 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20 (the parent/family schedule lists Aug. 20-21).
- Check-in location
- Report to your assigned residence hall for move-in; your assignment and move-in instructions are emailed to your Mines email. All new students also check in for orientation on the main level of Devereaux Library.
- What you'll receive
- Your orientation materials at Devereaux Library, where laptop distribution is also handled by appointment.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Connolly Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Palmerton Hall
Traditional · Coed
First-year only
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 20 - August 22, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$9,500
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- Walgreens1.4 miles
- Walmart1.7 miles
- Target1.9 miles
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
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