There has been confusion, and things have been put off.

But some important business is getting done in the San Diego State athletic department.

Sally Roush, SDSU's vice president for business and financial affairs, addressed questions yesterday for the first time since taking over operation of the department after the forced resignation of athletic director Rick Bay and the firing of his top associate, Jana Doggett.

Their departures were facilitated by a California State University audit that found the department deficient in financial oversight and overall organization.

Roush said she believes the department is back to running smoothly, though she conceded that a feeling of confusion expressed by some in the department was legitimate.

"I think that is an absolutely normal and predictable response to what's happened," Roush said. "People have been notified that if they have any questions or concerns they can contact me directly. I think that (confusion) will diminish over time."

One of Roush's first key moves involved a personnel matter. She said the university has upheld Bay's decision not to renew the contract of women's crew coach Scott Steckel.

"We've reviewed that situation and determined that was an appropriate decision," Roush said. "(Steckel) has been given reconfirmation that his contract will not be renewed."

Steckel, who has not returned phone messages, and many of his rowers had hoped his termination would be disregarded. Steckel was let go by Bay the day before the AD resigned.

Roush would not say why Steckel was not renewed, but rowers on the team and an athletic department source close to the situation said there were concerns about his coaching style.

Meanwhile, yesterday was a deadline by which SDSU agreed to implement three changes in the athletic department in response to the audit. The changes dealt with control of stock ordered from vendors, training those in charge of student workers and evaluation of the organizational structure of the department.

But because of the turmoil in the department, the auditor's office granted SDSU an extension until Sept. 30. Roush said it's possible 27 additional changes the school has pledged to implement by June 30 also will be pushed back.

"Those are all things being worked on as we speak," she said. "We'll make every effort to make the June 30 deadlines."

Roush said if they can't be met, another extension will be requested.

"We're certainly going to look at any reasonable explanation," said Colleen Bentley-Adler, a spokeswoman for the CSU chancellor's office. "Especially when you consider all the changes being made there."

Roush also confirmed that the university has begun talking to candidates for the interim athletic director job but preferred not to say who those candidates were. Former SDSU athletic director Fred Miller said he would be interested but has not had discussions with anyone at SDSU.

Earlier this week, former NCAA president and San Diego resident Cedric Dempsey said he had too many personal obligations upcoming to consider the post, though he would not confirm whether he had been contacted by SDSU.

Roush acknowledged that the university might not meet SDSU President Stephen Weber's goal of having the interim AD in place by next week.

"We're trying to (get the interim AD hired) as quickly as possible, but we will take as much time as we need to get a good person and the right person," Roush said. "I couldn't say either way. We're working toward that goal. If we make it we'll be thrilled."

Roush is among the highest-ranking officials on campus and has numerous duties outside athletics. Her involvement in athletics the past week has consisted of a meeting with what is left of the athletic administration, phone calls and the signing of certain essential documents. She said the day-to-day running of the department is being left to those inside the department.

Athletic department sources confirmed this, though none would consent to be quoted for fear of reprisal. "What I have told people is that if they choose to have a conversation (with the media), they may," Roush said. "They can represent the university's position, if they know what it is."

She denied this warning was to initiate a "one-voice" scenario inside the department.

Roush will not attend the Mountain West Conference meetings tomorrow, when athletic directors sit in on a joint meeting with presidents of the member schools. The conference said yesterday that men's basketball coach Steve Fisher will be SDSU's representative tomorrow at the AD meeting.