Seems like simple policy. ND had a 5 year dual degree engineering and arts & letters major program when I was there...at least, I knew someone who was doing that. I also knew someone who had trouble graduating, and he stayed beyond 4 years to try to finish up. I don't think either case was a breach of integrity, as conor suggests. And, if we allow non-athletes to do it, seems like we should allow athletes to do it as well...and again, that would not seem like a breach of integrity.

But, as you point out, these two approaches may not apply in this particular case.