South Dakota State University opens the fall semester this week with two key deadlines affecting students. The last day to drop or add courses and adjust final fees is September 3, followed by the tuition and fees payment deadline on September 4, when 'W' grades begin for students who withdraw.
Athletics take center stage with volleyball facing Nebraska on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Stanley J. Marshall Center, and soccer matches against Colorado College on Thursday and Idaho on Sunday. Football hosts a multiday tournament Friday and Saturday, with SDSU playing Bradley at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday.
Beyond athletics, the Concrete Lab Expansion opens Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Crothers Engineering Hall. A faculty recital featuring music inspired by artworks of Edward Munch and Mary Cassatt takes place Monday at 7:30 p.m. at The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Social events include the FSL Block Party Monday evening, Cinema on the Sylvan Tuesday, a bingo and trivia night Thursday, a movie event Friday, and Party on the Porch at McCrory Gardens on Sunday.
SDSU events for the week of August 24–30:
- Fall classes begin: 2026-08-24
- Campus Community Fall Festival (C2F2): Monday 24 at 10:00 AM, University Student Union
- CRU Outdoor Games and Pizza: Monday 24 at 5:00 PM, Outdoor Areas – Athletics
- Wintrode Autism Support Information: Tuesday 25 at 11:00 AM, University Student Union
- Army ROTC Fitness Challenge: Tuesday 25 at 12:00 PM, Outdoor Areas
- RHA Opening Block Party: Tuesday 25 at 5:00 PM, Outdoor Areas
- After Cru Tacos and Games: Tuesday 25 at 8:00 PM, Outdoor Areas
- Community Days 2026 at McCrory Gardens: Wednesday 26 at 10:00 AM, McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center
- Wintrode Autism Support Information: Wednesday 26 at 11:00 AM, University Student Union
- Graduate School Welcome Back Ice Cream Social: Wednesday 26 at 3:00 PM, Coughlin Campanile
- Wintrode Autism Support Information: Thursday 27 at 11:00 AM, University Student Union
- Downtown at Sundown: Thursday 27 at 5:00 PM, Off-Campus
- Downtown at Sundown: Thursday 27 at 5:30 PM, Off-Campus
- University Program Council (UPC) - DIY Dorm Decor: Thursday 27 at 6:00 PM, University Student Union
- Soccer vs Western IL: Thursday 27 at 7:00 PM, Outdoor Areas – Athletics
SDSU's fall semester kicks off this week with a busy schedule of welcome events and academic gatherings. The Indian Students' Association holds celebrations Monday and Tuesday mornings at the University Student Union, while faculty and professional development conferences begin Wednesday, anchored by the Fall 2026 Faculty Conference at 8:00 AM.
A slate of social events takes over the weekend. The Welcome Back Bash runs twice Friday evening (6:30 PM and 7:30 PM) at the University Student Union, followed by the New Jacks Class Photo and Playfair icebreaker Saturday morning at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, and a HEROH Welcome Back Dance Saturday night. Sunday brings the official SDSU Convocation at 2:00 PM at Coolidge Sylvan Theatre, where university leadership marks the new academic year, alongside college-specific welcome events across campus at 3:00 PM and other connection opportunities throughout the day.
On the athletic side, the soccer team hosts Washington State Thursday at 7:00 PM at the outdoor athletics facilities. Meanwhile, the Brookings Area Master Gardeners meet Thursday evening at McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center.
