MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia University's new relationship with the Big 12 is about more than athletics, so Provost Michele Wheatly says she's working on an academic exchange program of sorts.

Wheatly and Associate Provost C.B. Wilson are developing a plan to help fund faculty visits to their counterparts at other Big 12 schools.

Wilson says the idea for such fellowships came from a professor who talked with a counterpart at Kansas University. That school has a similar program, as do seven of the Big 12 schools.

The Dominion Post says WVU is seeking comments about the idea.

The draft proposal suggests providing a stipend of up to $2,500 for travel, lodging and meal expenses. Visits would typically last two weeks.

Wilson says it's unlikely those trips would start before next year.