Wilson also pointed out some inconsistencies in the plan. "If they were so concerned about setting academic standards for athletes, why did they just limit the proposal to Division I? Why not Division II or III?"

Bok defends the SAT standard, stating that it is an accurate means "to identity a group of students who have particular risks academically." He adds that "there have been studies done which show that the lower the SAT scores, the smaller the chance of graduation. There's no particular question about that."

One problem with the SAT standard is that many Black educators feel it is an unfair standard, meaning that a number of Black athletes will be disproportionally affected. The ACE committee that made this proposal included only three Black educators--a fact which several officials believe is a fundamental flaw. "They made one mistake," says Paterno. "They should have had some Black representatives. I think that was an oversight--one which the Black educators have a right to be offended by."

Bok says that because the ruling will not take effect until 1986, the Black educators will have some time to develop an alternative testing standard. And he says that he would "be interested in working with the representatives of Black colleges and other institutions to get them to see that we have started a process we haven't finished it but we've started a process of seriously grappling with that issue."

This lack of Black representation has led some to doubt whether the proposal has everyone's best interests in mind. Wilson, who says Florida A&M already adheres to higher state standards than the NCAA ruling establishes, took issue with Paterno, who argued in favor of the plan on the convention floor in January. "He said something to the effect that it might hurt for a while; but we should just bear with them and later we'd be grateful for their help.' Those are nearly the same words our slavemasters used when they beat us."

Paterno feels that the SAT will encourage more Black leaders off the athletic field. "It'll make Black athletes see the need for education," he says. "I here's probably some validity in the view that the SAT is not a fair standard but the Black educators can work with the test and make it more fair."

Harvard's influence in the proceedings with Bok as chairman is generally considered to be a strong force with good intentions. But it is the method in which those intentions were represented that still causes some debate. "I don't think the committee members were just representing their institutions." Stanford Director of Athletics Andy Geiger says. "I think they recognize that this is a national problem they're dealing with." He adds, "I think it's important for colleges and University leaders to take a step in setting some standard for athletes."

John D. Solomon contributed to the reporting of this article.