Well, there you go. Let the games begin. "The COP/C has asked the conference office to obtain, to the extent possible, information necessary to construct preliminary options and recommendations without engaging in formal discussions with leadership of other institutions. If and when such discussions become necessary the COP/C has instructed Commissioner James E. Delany to inform the Chair of the COP/C, Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon, and then to notify the commissioner of the affected conference(s). Only after these notices have occurred will the Big Ten engage in formal expansion discussions with other institutions." Does MSU's president having an enhanced role in this process make any difference? Also, has there ever been a clunkier acronym for a deliberative body than "COP/C" (Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors)?