Great Beginnings Schedule

Wednesday, August 9

(Residential Hall Area)

Once you get your car unloaded, drive down to the Roy Stewart Stadium parking lot and park. Let our shuttle buses take you back to the residential hall.

(1st Floor Curris Center)

Parents — this is your space to take a breather or grab a snack/drink. Take a moment to write words of encouragement and support by sending a letter to your Racer.

(1st Floor Curris Center)

You are now a Racer. You should be sporting your blue and gold, not your old high school t-shirt, and DEFINITELY not another university’s gear. Bring in breakfast food items or ready to eat meals to donate to our Murray State food pantry, Racers Helping Racers, and swap them out for your Racer swag (one per person while supplies last).

Friday, August 11

(Residential Colleges)

Welcome Racers! You will receive your Murray State University Racer ID when you check into your Residential College.

If you aren't sure how to get to your Residential College, check out the Move-In video

(Residential Hall Area)

Once you get your car unloaded, drive down to the Roy Stewart Stadium parking lot and park. Let our shuttle buses take you back to the residential hall.

(1st Floor Curris Center)

Parents — this is your space to take a breather or grab a snack/drink. Take a moment to write words of encouragement and support by sending a letter to your Racer.

(1st Floor Curris Center)

You are now a Racer. You should be sporting your blue and gold, not your old high school t-shirt, and definitely not another university’s gear! Bring in breakfast food items or ready to eat meals to donate to our Murray State food pantry, Racers Helping Racers, and swap them out for your Racer swag (one per person while supplies last).

(1st Floor Curris Center)

Need a snack? Looking for something sweet? We’ve got you covered!

(Curris Center Theater)

Bring your snacks and drink! It’s movie time in the Curris Center!

(Various locations)

Get to know the new members of your Residential College community! Location and event will differ for each Residential College.

Saturday, August 12

(Residential Colleges)

Welcome Racers! You will receive your Murray State University Racer ID when you check into your Residential College.

If you aren't sure how to get to your Residential College, check out the Move-In video

(1st Floor Curris Center)

Parents — this is your space to take a breather or grab a snack/drink. Take a moment to write words of encouragement and support by sending a letter to your Racer.

(1st Floor Curris Center)

You are now a Racer. You should be sporting your blue and gold, not your old high school t-shirt, and definitely not another university’s gear! Bring in breakfast food items or ready to eat meals to donate to our Murray State food pantry, Racers Helping Racers, and swap them out for your Racer swag (one per person while supplies last).

(Curris Center Theater)

Bring your snacks and drink. It's movie time in the Curris Center!

(Curris Center Commonwealth Room - 3rd Floor)

You and a group of friends will work as a team in a life-sized game of twist and turns to look for clues and solve puzzles in order to accomplish the mission. You must ESCAPE before time runs out! Are you up for the challenge?

(1st Floor Curris Center)

Need a snack? Looking for something sweet? We’ve got you covered!

(CFSB Center)

Sponsored by Student Government Association

This is a don't-miss event! Businesses from all over Murray will have information tables with lots of information and coupons! After this event, you’ll know where to go for anything and everything. Grab some free food on the way out!

(Various locations)

Get to know the new members of your Residential College community! Location and event will differ for each Residential College.

Elizabeth Amphitheater

Let the HOT, Latin beats move you! Grab your new friends and get your “glow” on at heart pumping, beat thumping Zumba class. Free glow necklaces/bracelets while supplies last!

Sunday, August 13

(Residential Colleges)

Welcome Racers! You will receive your Murray State University Racer ID when you check into your Residential College.

If you aren't sure how to get to your Residential College, check out the Move-In video

(Springer Lawn)

Who’s ready for the carnival? Don’t miss the fun! Food, games, and two carnival rides!

(Barkley Room, Curris Center)

Come learn about the Emerging Scholars Institute and other resources available to you as a student at Murray State University.

(Locations vary)

This is your first don’t-miss event! Residential and commuter students report to your residential college.

  • Clark - Robert Johnson Theater, New Fine Arts Building
  • Elizabeth - Curris Center Large Ballroom
  • Hart - Curris Center Theater
  • Hester - Freed Curd Auditorium, Collins I&T Building
  • Regents - Barkley Room, Curris Center
  • Richmond - Blackburn Science Building, Room 135
  • Springer/Franklin - Blackburn Science Building, Room 228
  • RH White - Auditorium, Mason Hall

(Residence Hall area)

Be sure to check with your First Year Leader or our residential college leadership for the location...you do not want to miss out!

(Large Ballroom, Curris Center)

Sponsored by National Pan-Hellenic Council NPHC

Come play a few rounds of Bingo for a chance to win prizes from local restaurants and businesses. BINGO!

(Waterfield Library)

Join us in Waterfield Library for Waterfield Wired! Enter to win prizes, play video games, glow mini golf, Minute to Win it Games, and more!

Monday, August 14

(Curris Center Bookstore Entrance)

Don't get lost during your first week of classes by taking a campus tour with our Racer Nation Orientation leaders and get the inside scoop on how to navigate campus with ease.

(Lovett Auditorium)

Mandatory for all new students.

Blurred Lines: When the fun turns into the fast and furious – The Five R’s of Title IX

Parties. Hot Date. Rush. Greek. Band. Athletic Recruitment. Multicultural. Multiracial. Me. You. Alcohol. Words fading. Somehow what felt like fun quickly turns into the fast, furious blurred lines of sexual assault, victims, he said-she said, accused and accusers. Join us for the five R's that will keep you, your organization, your friends and the ones you care about safe and on the "viewer" side of your television or computer screen when watching court, personal, or organizational trials unfold before the public.

(Lovett Auditorium)

Mandatory for all new students.

We are so excited to have you here! It’s time to celebrate that you begin classes tomorrow. Join us as we celebrate and prepare you for the next few years of college at our 8th Annual Blue & Gold Celebration. The guest speaker is Murray State University alum Aaron Harris.

(Lovett Auditorium)

I scream! You scream! We all scream for ice cream! Grab a cool treat on your way out!

(Lovett Auditorium)

Don't get lost during your first week of classes by taking a campus tour with our Racer Nation Orientation leaders and get the inside scoop on how to navigate campus with ease.

Mandatory for all new students.

(Intramural Fields across the street from Clark Residential Hall)

Reconnect with your Racer Nation Orientation Leaders and other new students as the last part of your orientation experience! A chance to have some fun making new friends, winning prizes, and receiving important information as you start your Racer Life! New students will also get a special welcome from Racer Athletics! This is an introduction to home football game days, meet the coaches and director of athletics as we learn about and celebrate Murray State game day traditions with the marching band, Racerettes, cheerleading and dance teams! Upon conclusion of the event, we will take a Class of 2027 picture on the field level M logo!

Tuesday, August 15

Welcome to the First day of classes

(West entrance, Curris Center)

Welcome Racers! Grab some water and a campus map on your way to class.

Wednesday, August 16

(West entrance, Curris Center)

Welcome Racers! Grab some water and a campus map on your way to class.

(Murray Room, CFSB Center)

AAll NEW transfer students are invited to join the Transfer Center for free food, giveaways, tailgate games, and hangout time. We are excited to kick off the year with you!

(CFSB Center)

What better way to wrap up the first day of classes than to have hypnotist, Tom Deluca put you into a deep, deep sleep. Come see the hilarity that ensues when your classmates are at Tom’s mercy.

Thursday, August 17

NPHC Open House: Meet the Divine 9

(Curris Center Ballroom)

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Open House will be a formal event where each chapter sets up display tables and have small presentations to educate non-Greek students on the goals and values of their organizations. This will be a perfect opportunity for students to learn about each chapter in the NPHC. Non-Greek students will also have time for individual conversations with NPHC chapters to ask specific questions.

Saturday, August 19

(Woods Park)

Bring your lawn chair or blanket and spend the late afternoon listening to Lewis Brice with Stronghold.

(Curris Center 1st floor concourse

Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Initiatives, Student Leadership and Inclusive Excellence

Meet Dunker and join us for food, games, and prizes as you learn about the key resources designed to ensure your success at Murray State University. Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Initiatives, Student Leadership and Inclusive Excellence.

Wednesday, August 23

(Carr Building Lawn)

Join Career Services for a cookout! There will food, games, and more!

Thursday, August 24

(Waterfield Library Breezeway)

The Career Services Center invites you to talk with various campus departments and local businesses about part time employment opportunities.

Wednesday, September 20

(Curris Center)

Want to get involved on campus? Not sure where to begin? Join the Center for Student Involvement to get acquainted with the campus student organizations.

On-Going Events

Racer One Stop

In-person Racer One Stop is in the Curris Center Small Ballroom on the 3rd floor.

Bring your photo id or answer your security question from your Consent to Release Student Information form. Staff will be available to answer questions about advising, billing, dining, financial aid, Racer ID, registration, scholarships, and veterans affairs.

Virtual Racer One Stop is a great option if you have specific questions. Schedule a Zoom session for a private one-on-one meeting.

Learn more about Racer One Stop

Service Desk

Contact the Service Desk for technical issues like logging in to MyGate and RacerMail. Call 270.809.2346 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

University Store

Located on the second floor of the Curris Center. The University Store carries textbooks, reference books, and all of your Racer gear.

Special Hours

  • August 8th - 12th: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • August 13th: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • August 14th: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • August 15th - 19th: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • August 20th: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • August 21st: Closed
  • August 22nd: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Regular Hours

  • Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Sundays: Closed

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