The so-called "Benson Plan" was discussed with conference athletic directors this past week during a teleconference, Herman Frazier, UH's AD, said.

Benson arrived Friday and was scheduled to leave yesterday following meetings apparently intended to outline and gauge interest in amending conference bylaws to impose the heavy withdrawal penalty on any school that moves to the Mountain West Conference or Conference USA.

Currently, any school leaving the WAC forfeits its final year's share of conference revenue, usually $500,000 to $700,000. Benson wants members to amend the bylaws to make the penalty — reportedly in the $2 million to $5 million range — more of a deterrent.

Reportedly, any school leaving for one of the so-called big six Bowl Championship Series conferences — Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and Southeastern — would not be subject to the $2 million to $5 million penalty.

It would take the votes of at least eight of the 10 member schools to change the bylaws.

Benson declined to discuss specifics of the plan but said, "I'm trying to create a situation that allows the WAC membership to be aligned in the strongest possible manner for the future. I think the plan I've laid out provides that type of framework."

Other than confirming he met with UH officials — believed to be Frazier and Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert — Benson declined comment about the talks. UH officials were not immediately available for comment.