Commendation of Dr. James Postma

AS-3084-12/EX

WHEREAS, Jim Postma’s connections to CSU Chico began when he was an undergraduate
student, obtaining his chemistry degree in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Postma received his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California Davis and then returned to join the faculty of the CSU Chico chemistry department in 1982 where he teaches general, physical, and analytical chemistry courses as well as serving as department chair from 1998 to 2004; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma has assumed a variety of roles on the CSU Chico Academic Senate since 1984 serving as secretary and chair of the Educational Policies and Procedures Committee, as secretary of the Senate, as chair of the Faculty and Student Policies Committee, and as chair of the Senate from 1991 to 1993 and then again from 2002 to 2003; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma was selected for CSU Chico’s 2004–2005 Outstanding Faculty Service Award being praised for going above and beyond the ordinary demands of his faculty job description to serve students, the campus, and the community and, in the process, extending his distinguished service well outside the campus community; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma is the co-author of Chemistry in the Laboratory, a widely used laboratory text for freshman general chemistry courses, has been the chair of the California Section of the American Chemical Society, and a member of the California Science Project Advisory Board since 1995, chairing the Board since 2000; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma has ably served as one of CSU Chico's representatives to the Statewide Academic Senate since 1993 (thus becoming one of this body’s longest serving senators) where his impressive service includes outstanding contributions on the Academic Affairs Committee (including service as Vice Chair then Chair for 3 years); Academic Technology Advisory Committee Co-Chair; Academic Technology Steering Committee member; Systemwide Budget Advisory Committee member;
CSU Doctorate in Education Advisory Committee member; EdD Advisory Board member; EdD Proposal Review Group member; Committee on Extended University member; General Education Advisory Committee member; Hearst Trustee Scholarship Selection Committee member; Honorary Degrees Subcommittee member of the Trustees Committee on Educational Policy; Intersegmental Committee of Academic Senates (Chair); Review Panel for Naming CSU Facilities and Properties member; SB1440 Implementation Oversight Committee; and on many other systemwide committees and task forces including liaison roles with the Academic Council, Alumni Council, CFA, CSSA and Intersegmental Coordinating Council; andJim Postma has successfully guided the Academic Senate of the California State University (Academic Senate CSU) through challenging times as our Chair for the past two years, and has done so with dignity, transparency and always a calm demeanor; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma skillfully led the Academic Senate CSU as we worked with the CSU administration to achieve a unified baseline budget and address concerns of shared governance; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma has championed intersegmental cooperation through his participation in the Intersegmental Committee of Academic Senates, which he chaired in 2011-2012; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma has provided consistent, effective representation in relation to the STAR Act (SB 1440) including addressing the American Institutions waiver and many other important issues
(C-ID, GE, etc), and has consistently provided valuable information important to the Academic Senate CSU and CSU campuses; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma has always been willing to cheerfully provide senators with transportation
(in the big white truck) to and from multiple events and meetings; and

WHEREAS, Jim Postma’s fortitude, patience, and stamina over the past two years have been superhuman; therefore be it

WHEREAS: That the Academic Senate CSU extend our most heartfelt gratitude to Jim Postma for
his commitment, leadership and service dedicated to shared governance in the CSU
system; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU extend our early appreciation to Jim Postma for his upcoming service as Immediate Past Chair and the continuing contributions that he will make when he assumes that noteworthy position.

Approved Unanimously – May 3-4, 2012