With more than 52 percent of the vote, Karl Dean was elected the sixth mayor of Metro Nashville last week.

Many residents, including members of the Vanderbilt community, are now asking what they can expect from the mayor-elect.

Though Dean has a full plate of issues, including education, public safety, taxes, the environment and rapid growth, he said he plans "to work as cooperatively as possible with Vanderbilt to make Nashville an incredible place to live, work and have fun."

Dean also explained that there are several policies in which he hopes "to include Vanderbilt and Nashville's other great institutions in a plan to better education in Nashville."

Dean also said he sees Vanderbilt as a key asset to the city in looking toward the future of Nashville.

"In the past, Vanderbilt has been willing to offer vast amounts of resources to the city. I think the challenge for the city is to effectively take advantage of all that Vanderbilt has to offer," he said.

Dean is very familiar with Vanderbilt - he attended Vanderbilt Law School and has been adjunct professor there for about 15 years.

"Karl Dean has been affiliated Vanderbilt for a long time and continues to stay connected to the school," said Michael Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for public affairs.

He added, "Vanderbilt has an enormous impact on the Nashville community."

Dean agreed, saying, "Whatever the city has needed from Vanderbilt over the past few years, (Vanderbilt has) come through."

Dean also said he thought former Chancellor Gordon Gee "did an excellent job of reaching out to the Vanderbilt community, and I hope the new chancellor follows the same model that Gee used as far as the community is concerned."

However, sophomore Mike Accavitti disagreed.

"Vanderbilt is a private institution, and I don't think we owe much to the community," he said.

Despite that sentiment, Dean said, "Most students I have encountered are really involved in the community, and over the years I have had scores of interns and law clerks." 

Sophomore Zach Gilbert concurred, saying, "Community service and getting out there is what I do. It's the best way for Nashville to see us."

Dean will succeed his former boss, Mayor Bill Purcell, this Friday when he is inaugurated at noon at the Public Square Historic Courthouse.