The chancellor of the University System of Maryland has asked Calvin W. Burnett to stay on as president of Coppin State College beyond his planned retirement date of Aug. 31.

Chancellor William E. Kirwan said it made more sense for Burnett to remain president rather than appoint an interim leader to carry the school until the selection of a new president, which is expected by January.

Burnett, who has served as president for 32 years, announced his retirement last winter, saying it was time for a new leader to tackle the revitalization of the historically black West Baltimore campus. At the time, Burnett said that his decision was made after several earlier attempts by system officials to coax him into retirement.