"We think a different kind of person will come and that's not bad," Vaughan said. "I think the goal is to make it more educational and informational."

That's not to say there won't still be a band and a dance floor, he said.

Since the university voiced concern over excessive drinking at the Foresters' Ball, forestry alumni and friends have written letters to Engstrom in support of the event. They've also started to organize. What developed was a loosely affiliated group called the Forestry Scholarship Association. Its immediate mission is to act in an advisory role to students as they draft a plan for next year's ball.

Eleven years ago, when Ben Super graduated from the college of forestry, there was talk of shutting down the ball.

"That has always been a discussion," said Super, a 2001 UM graduate.

Super now works for the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. He and others want to ensure the Foresters' Ball survives and succeeds for the long term.

While Super is confident that UM and the students will come to a consensus on the Foresters' Ball next year, he also thinks it's important to mention another important aspect of the long-held tradition.

"The ball is supposed to be fun," he said. "It's not supposed to be a two-day conference on an esoteric forestry subject. The students should have an outlet that is a social activity on campus. I think that's rare outside of athletics."

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