Simon Fraser University in British Columbia is one step away from becoming the first non-American college or university to belong to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Canadian institution awaits a ruling by the association's executive committee, expected next month, that would modify a rule that requires all NCAA members to be accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies. Simon Fraser, which was one of several Canadian institutions that explored joining the NCAA (the others opted not to), has applied for membership to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and would qualify under a rule change that would permit NCAA membership for foreign colleges that are candidates for regional accreditation.