Members of Harvard's Board of Overseers leave Loeb House yesterday morning to begin a bus tour of Harvard's property in Allston. During their meeting yesterday, overseers also approved the appointment of Robert E. Rubin ’60 to the Harvard Corporation.

Robert E. Rubin ’60—mentor and long-time booster of University president Lawrence H. Summers—was confirmed yesterday morning as the newest member of the Harvard Corporation.

The Board of Overseers formally approved Rubin’s selection during a regular meeting at Loeb House.

Rubin will assume his post on the University’s highest governing board on July 1, when Robert G. Stone Jr. ’45 ends his 27-year tenure on the body.

Rubin’s appointment comes after a long courtship by the University. Rubin said he was initially approached about joining the Corporation when he stepped down as secretary of the treasury in July 1997.

But Rubin’s appointment now—with Summers at the University’s helm—takes on greater significance.

Summers was Rubin’s deputy at the treasury department, and the two shared an especially close friendship.

Rubin is credited with smoothing the many rough edges of Summers’ personality that were noted in his first years in Washington. Rubin handpicked Summers as his successor as secretary.

Last year, Rubin again pushed for Summers, contacting members of the Harvard presidential search committee to assure them that Summers’ years in government had softened his aggressive edge.

Harvard officials and other observers said that the pair’s close relationship will be an asset.

“President Summers respects Mr. Rubin’s judgement,” Stone said. Their relationship, he said, will be “very positive” for the University.

Summers’ may benefit personally as well.

As a Corporation member, Rubin again will be in a position to influence and advise Summers, who has drawn criticism for his leadership style during his first year as president.

“Given the problems Summers is running into, having someone who can smooth Summers out might not be such a bad thing,” said one source familiar with the University’s administration.

While it is rare to have a Corporation member so closely associated with the president, Rubin said that their relationship would not stand in the way of fulfilling his oversight duties as a member of the Corporation.

In an interview this afternoon, Rubin said he didn’t foresee any conflict stemming from his close relationship with Summers.