PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Charles "Chip'' Young, erstwhile columnist for the Providence Phoenix, is back at the University of Rhode Island after a short-lived stint as a writer-editor at an online news-and-views site.

"This was just an offer I couldn't refuse,'' said Young, 61, who in March left his $70,272-a-year job as a public information and communications specialist at URI's Coastal Resources Center for GoLocalProv.com, after 15 years at the university.

He returned June 19 for a role in a 14-week, grant-financed effort to provide "training and technical assistance to Rhode Island municipal officials in managing ... [and] assessing pollution risk to local water resources,'' according to URI spokesman Dave Lavallee.

Calling himself a "communications dogsbody,'' Young in an interview on Thursday said he has been working the Rhode Island Coalition for Transportation Choices and the Coalition for Water Security, and is also a senior fellow for communications at URI's Coastal Institute.

Asked if he might resurface at some point in his role as "Phillipe'' in the Phoenix's long-running column "Phillipe & Jorge's Cool, Cool World," Young said: "I don't know. I haven't talked to anyone there. If it happens, it will happen on its own. If it doesn't, I'm content. Had a good run.''

But signing off, Philippe-style, he said: "Tell all my friends I am finally out of prison. I made way for Lindsay Lohan.''