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Rue begins tenure as dean of students

The University welcomed its new dean of students when Penny Rue began her first day in Peabody Hall Monday.

University President John T. Casteen III selected Rue in April upon recommendation from the Dean of Students Search Committee to fill the position Robert T. Canevari held for 29 years.

Rue formerly served as Georgetown University's senior associate dean of students for five years.

Rue said her plans for the upcoming school year include building relationships with students and student organizations.

"My biggest priority is establishing relationships--that is the main priority of the dean of students," she said.

She added high priority organizations include Student Council, and the Honor and University Judiciary Committees.

Rue said she wants to "build trust one person and one group at a time.

"I will do a lot of listening, I know how rich the culture is [at the University] I want to be respectful of it," she said. "I think it is the tradition and culture which give it a sense of community and what attracted me" to the University in the first place.

Rue added that Georgetown, where she worked for 12 years, is similar to the University in that students come for a "full college experience," not to just earn a degree.

"Student energy levels and commitment levels are very similar," Rue said.

She said she plans to make herself available to students and "pay attention to multicultural issues and make sure I am specifically reaching out to special groups."

Issues Rue may address this year include helping Greeks make comfortable transitions into the spring rush process, she added.

"I am more concerned with helping Greeks work within spring rush and meeting their goals" within the new structure, Rue said.

Canevari moved fraternity rush to the spring last year after a prolonged debate between students and University officials.

She said she also would like to work with public service projects and extend public service learning.

She added she has felt very welcome at the University since her first interviews.

"The thing that struck me the most was how much everyone loved it here and how many people said 'you'll love it here,'" Rue said.

"I think [Rue] is adapting swimmingly and I am going to enjoy working with her--there is everything to suggest a wonderful new chapter is beginning," Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said.

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