Joseph A. Steger confirmed Friday that he will remain another year as president of the University of Cincinnati.

        “It is in the best interest of the university to avoid a presidential search while the state funding situation is so uncertain,” he said.

        “I intend to accept the board's request to extend my contract for an additional year to oversee our efforts to get through this situation, and to position the university toward a more stable funding environment.”

        Dr. Steger's contract ends June 30, 2002. Barring some unexpected complication, he'll stay through June 30, 2003. Terms of the extension will be on the agenda for the May 22 trustees' meeting.

        He has been battling unsuccessfully to win greater support from Ohio for UC's basic budget, especially from the state's annual teaching subsidy.

        It's a problem he shares with presidents of other major Ohio public universities. They have seen projected increases in that subsidy fall from 10 percent last year to near zero.

        Dr. Steger's decision means he will not be a lame duck during contract negotiations with UC's faculty.

        The three-year pact ends Aug. 31 and Dr. Steger has warned that minimal state increases cannot help but affect any salary increases he can offer the 1,990 teachers covered by the contract.

        Dr. Steger, 64, has been president since 1984. Before that, he spent two years as senior vice president and provost.

        For months, he has said he would make a decision by midyear, either to get on with the job or to give the university a year to choose his successor.

        As president, he oversees five campuses and earns $265,000 a year, plus an annual deferred payment of $70,000 to a retirement fund, housing and other benefits.

        He is the second-longest-serving UC president, exceeded only by Raymond Walters' 23 years (1932-55).

Grand-jury action puts leaders on alert
Streicher looks for solutions
OxyContin maker moves to help curb its abuse
Red ink flows at Mercy Health
Rosa Parks argues vs. rap
SAMPLES: Derby Day
Year later, fire still a worry
Derby, schmerby, say some in region
Horses, celebs secure
Look like a Derby veteran
Leaders: Riots could erupt in Ky.
Olympics visit is July
Seeing other cultures
Appeal planned against plant
Brassy Ohioan Traficant indicted
Candidates line up for Mason seat
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative wins civic award
City turns 40 with parade
HOWARD: Neighborhoods
MCNUTT: 'History lives'
Newborn safe place law may be made soon
Public safety levies on ballots
Steger will stay into 2003
Two UC teammates might face charges
UC, faculty call off early contract talks
Voters face money issues for schools
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report