On September 9, 2006, the Honors Program held a retreat for its Honors Scholars at the Bemidji State Park. 

After a day filled with fun and interesting activities, the students were divided into groups (freshmen, sophomores, juniors/seniors)

and given the task to reach a consensus to identify common values, goals and ways to achieve their goals.

The freshmen identified values of:

¨      Staying on task

¨      Being open minded

¨      Having a positive attitude

¨      Seeking friendship and respect

Based upon these values, their class goals are:

·        To organize group activities

·        To maintain Honors status

·        To get to know each other better

The steps they’ll take to achieve their goals are:

§      Hold a study group once a month

§         Get to every class on time

§         Seek help when they need it

The sophomores identified values of:

¨      Honesty

¨      Trust

¨      Friendship

¨      Service

Based upon these values, their class goals are:

·        To uphold academic integrity

·        To respect faculty and students

The steps they’ll take to achieve their goals are:

§      Help the incoming students and provide guidance

§         Encourage interdependence

§         Be a good role model

§         FISH

      What is FISH?

            There are four components to the FISH philosophy.

Play

         Be There

    Make Their Day

                        Choose Your Attitude

Employing these 4 things is a way to make your job (or in this case classes and other school components) fun and exciting, more than just a job.

The junior/senior group did not have a consensus of values.

The goals of the juniors/seniors are:

·        Thesis

·        Future – passions

·        Travel

The steps they’ll take to achieve their goals are:

§      Take chances and stretch themselves

§         Passport stamps

§         Applications

§         Schedule time

§         Minimize distractions