Is the Deformation Parameter in q-Rotor Model Really Phenomenological ?

We cast the $q$-rotor in the framework of Barnett-Pegg theory for rotation angle, whose underlying algebra is $SU_q(2)$. A new method to fix the deformation parameter from the theory is suggested. We test our ideas by fitting rotational spectra in deformed even-even and superdeformed nuclei. The results are in good agreement with the previous phenomenological applications of $q$-rotor model.