Resolution in Memoriam: Dr. Saul Steier

Resolution Number: RS19-378
February, 2019
Whereas: 
RATIONALE: The Academic Senate is an inclusive community and recognizes significant leadership and long standing service by faculty, staff, students and administrators. When a long-term member passes away, it is important to provide a moment of recognition for their altruistic contributions in the form of an in-memoriam resolution.
Whereas: 
the Academic Senate is comprised of members who donate their time, service, and energy to the campus community; and
Whereas: 
the passing of a long-term member affects us deeply; and
Whereas: 
Saul Steier, an associate professor and former chair of Humanities in the College of Liberal and Creative Arts, joined San Francisco State University in 1982; and
Whereas: 
Dr. Steier served 29 years on the Academic Senate as a member of the Academic Policies Committee, Curriculum Review and Approval Committee, Faculty Affairs Committee, Student Affairs Committee and many other campuswide, college, and department committees; and
Whereas: 
Dr. Steier is remembered as a powerful voice, speaking his truth to power and making the Senate a spirited and important site for debate and policy-making; and
Whereas: 
Dr. Steier passed on January 7, 2019 surrounded by his wife Dr. Cynthia Ward and children Creed, Liam, Misha and Asher; and
Whereas: 
one colleague said of Dr. Steier, “ he loved language and life of the mind and had an extraordinary intellectual range.” Another said, “Saul was completely, brilliantly, maddeningly himself, at all times and places.”
Whereas: 
one student noted of Professor Steier, “a brilliant mind, a unique character, and a caring soul;”
Whereas: 
one senator noted, “When I was a young senator, and a relatively young professor, Saul made me feel welcomed and valued as his equal. Whenever I saw him sitting by Cafe Rosso, I would stop and sit with Saul for a while, just to share community with him for a few minutes; a wry laugh over some absurd Senate struggle; or just a kind moment with each other in the sometimes bruising world of academia. I miss my friend.”
Resolved: 
the 2018-19 Academic Senate recognize and thank Senator Steier in memoriam for his life of service ; and be it further
Resolved: 
the 2018-19 Academic Senate bow our heads in a moment of silence in his memory and all those in our campus community who we’ve lost this academic year.