Hi there!
It is not mandatory to stay in the dorms on move in day, but if you don't you might wish you had? They work a lot of the first experience programming around that first evening. Once you get on campus a lot of people are going to get talking about the night and morning plans. For most, it is convenient to be on campus as opposed to off. For more information on programming, call Housing at 715.232.1121.
Thank you,
Kelly Morey, Admissions