GRAND FORKS (AP) - The Summit League commissioner says the University of North Dakota won't be considered for conference membership until the school's Fighting Sioux nickname and logo battle is resolved.

Commissioner Tom Douple says he does not want the nickname to be an issue for the other 10 schools in the conference.

Summit League officials will visit the University of South Dakota later this month to review that school's athletic programs, a move that may open the door for South Dakota to join the conference.

UND athletic director Brian Faison said his school has not been contacted by Summit League officials.

"The UND Athletics Department is always looking for ways to expand and improve opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, fans and contributors," Faison said in a statement Tuesday. "Conference membership is a crucial part of the transition process to full Division I membership. We are pleased to be members of the Great West Conference."

UND and South Dakota are in the first year of a five-year transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. They are members of the Great West conference, which expanded from a football conference to all sports.

Summit League officials will be on the South Dakota campus in Vermillion on Jan. 20-21. Douple said the league has no timetable for expansion.

"I'm not presenting any information to the (league's) presidents council on the University of North Dakota until the logo issue is resolved one way or the other," Douple said. "I don't want it to be an issue for our members."

Under a legal settlement with the NCAA, UND has until late next year to get the approval of Sioux tribes for use of the nickname and logo, or face sanctions.

North Dakota State and South Dakota State were accepted into the Summit League in 2007.