FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The chancellor of the University of Arkansas said Tuesday his school doesn't do enough to ensure that more students graduate, and suggested that it avoid becoming a farm club for professional sports teams.

In an essay on low graduation rates among all types of students, Chancellor John A. White suggested that Arkansas limit athletic scholarships to players who will actually try to graduate.

"We must have the courage to `just say no' to the student-athlete, no matter how gifted athletically, who desires only to play for the Razorbacks and has no interest in obtaining a degree," White said. "The Razorback program is neither a minor league franchise nor part of a developmental league. It is an integral part of the university and we must never lose sight of that fact."

While graduation rates among athletes are singled out "because they are abysmally low," the entire university has room to improve, White said.

NCAA figures show that, while 60 percent of 1994's freshmen at Division I-A schools graduated within four years, the rate was only 51 percent among players with football scholarships and 32 percent for players with men's basketball scholarships.

Arkansas' rates were 46 percent among all students, 0 percent for basketball players and 43 percent for football players on scholarship, the NCAA figures showed.

"Zero graduates over any period of time is not acceptable, nor is it defensible. However, the overall UA graduation rate is neither acceptable nor defensible either," White wrote.

White blamed athlete transfers among schools and their entry into professional sports for lowering some numbers. White listed a number of Arkansas' transfers and departures, paying particular attention to Joe Johnson, drafted in the first round last year by the Boston Celtics of the NBA, and the addition of other professional sports leagues.

"It is time for the NCAA to propose a summit with the NBA to see what can be done to ensure that college players have the opportunity to complete their degrees before joining the professional ranks," White said. "In addition, shouldn't NBA teams, out of concern for the general welfare of their players, employ academic advisers to work with players to complete their degrees through a combination of courses taken through distance delivery, at other colleges, and via correspondence courses?"

Johnson left Arkansas after two years. He was signed by Boston for a contract estimated at between $3.5 million and $5.1 million.

"I understand Joe Johnson's reasons for leaving early. However, I am disappointed he did not graduate before pursuing a professional career," White said.

He said the school would be making a bold step if it awarded athletic scholarships only to students who are committed to graduating.

"Admitting a student who is not capable of doing the academic work required and awarding a scholarship (academic or athletic) to a student who does not value education is not good stewardship of the public's or the institution's scarce resources," White said.

White said the school's goal is to require that student athletes pass at least 30 hours of course work each year, above the 24-hour requirement set by the NCAA. He also suggested "distance-education courses" to allow professional athletes continue academic work.

"Changing the culture of intercollegiate athletics, particularly the men's basketball culture, will not be easy or quick to accomplish," White said.