Harvard financial aid officer Elizabeth M. Hicks will not leave the Clinton administration to return to her Harvard position in January as scheduled, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported this week.

She will now continue in her post as deputy assistant secretary of education for student financial-assistance programs, assuming Clinton does not blow his commanding lead in the polls.

Hicks, who served as the assistant dean of admissions and financial aid, is currently on a two-year leave of absence that began in May 1995, according to Joe Wrinn, a University spokesperson.

Harvard officials said that while they miss Hicks, her work in Washington is very valuable.

"We'd love it if we could clone her," said James H. Rowe III '73, vice president for government, community and public affairs. "We're not going to have any argument with Secretary [Richard] Riley. He loves her as much as we do."

"She enjoys great support within the department...and people want her to stay," Rowe added.

Rowe said that he hopes Hicks will return to Harvard when her work in government is over.

Hicks, who was out of the office and could not be reached for comment yesterday, told the Chronicle she had asked Harvard to hire a replacement.

"I thought it was unfair to keep them waiting," she said.