Eighty-one percent of students approve of President Ruth Simmons, a recent Herald poll found. This year Simmons has maintained her overwhelming popularity, with a small decrease from her 87 percent approval rating in a similar poll last year. The poll, conducted from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, has a margin of error of 4.7 percent with 95 percent confidence.
Though most of the 30 students interviewed by The Herald were not familiar with all of Simmons' duties, they pointed to her genuinely welcoming demeanor and her success in fundraising as reasons for their approval of her presidency.
"She is an empathetic leader - she makes people feel empowered," said David Beckoff '08.
Many students said they felt some affinity to Simmons as a woman leader and a nurturing maternal figure.
"She is a power woman. She is setting the standards of having women presidents," said Vivian Ortiz '10.
"She reminds me of my grandma," said Hristo Atanasov '10. His sentiment was echoed by other students interviewed by The Herald.
"I think of her as a relative. I feel like if you do meet her, she will hug you and make you cookies," said Olga Usyk '09.
Others said they were impressed Simmons seems available on campus despite her travel engagements. "She retains a connection to the students (and) seems to genuinely care," said Henry Freedland '08.
As the University's public representative, Simmons has presented a positive image of Brown, students said.
"She is famous - you can see her on TV. I am proud she is known around the country," Atanasov said.
Simmons' personal journey from childhood in a poor, rural East Texas community to the Ivy League is well-known and regularly featured in media coverage of her career, but only a few students mentioned it as a major reason for their affection for the president.
"She represents the perfect American dream - she has a story which inspires people," said Alexandra Grassian '07.
Many first-years said they could not give a substantiated opinion of the president's job performance, but they share in the fascination with her public image and feel they could easily reach out to her if they needed to.
"Greatest person in the world," said Andre Burnier '10 of Simmons.
Amanda Machado '10 agreed. "She doesn't seem like the typical unapproachable stuffy university president. If you see her at Starbucks, you can approach her," she said.
Liking Simmons has become one of the ways some students forge a sense of community and pride in the University.
"I like the idea of having a president that everybody likes, of having an image that people can take pride in," said Kirsten Lynch '10.
Other students recounted fleeting encounters with Simmons around campus, ranging from brief exchanges in the Sharpe Refectory to small nods on campus pathways, which they said confirmed their affection for the president.
Even students who don't have an idealized image of the president still had an overall positive impression of Simmons.
"A lot of University decisions get (credited) to her when they have to do with the Corporation," said Michael Kern '07. "She has done a good job of raising money, though."
Baird Aric Bream '10 said he had some trouble meeting with Simmons for negotiations on behalf of the Student Labor Alliance. "We had to muscle our way into her office hours, but once we brought it to her attention, she seemed like she wanted to be involved," he said.
Simmons' popularity was part of Brown's appeal for some first-years before they entered the University.
"I admire people's love for her. Even before coming to Brown I saw people's Facebook groups - 'I love Ruth!' " Bream said.
Among the Facebook groups in the Brown network devoted to Simmons are "Don't Leave us for Harvard, Ruth!" "Hands off Our Ruth!" and a group criticizing Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly for his insults of Simmons. She is also listed as one of the top reasons to love Brown in a 1,085-member Facebook group devoted to love for Brown.
For most students, Simmons' favorable image is a positive force for the University, and the personality she conveys to students is an important part of her role as the institution's leader.
"Her celebrity status gives her a lot of authority," said Akriti Bhambi '09. "It's rare to be as popular as she is. She can use it more."
