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Judge Higginbotham's valuable participation therein. Mr. Humelsine suggested, and the Executive Committee agreed, that the Smithsonian should undertake a leadership role by exploring and experimenting with methods of affirmative action which might be utilized throughout the museum community.  The Committee believes that the prospect of eliciting underwriting for such actions from major private foundations is quite good.

Mr. Acheson and Mr. Hughes briefed the Regents, as they had briefed the Committee, on the background and recent developments of the review of policies and practices in the gem and mineral collections.  The Regents will be kept informed as the review continues.

During and following Mr. Hohenlohe's presentation of the financial reports a number of topics were addressed.  The Committee expressed concern about the projected deficit of the Division of Performing Arts, and requested that the staff prepared a report of the causes of this significant and unanticipated deficit and planned corrective actions for the Audit and Review Committee's use in advance of the Regents' September 20 meeting, and that the Committee examine the situation in detail at their October 7, 1982 meeting.  In his report to the Committee on bank accounts, the Treasurer noted that, in accordance with the Secretary's authority confirmed by the Board of Regents on September 17, 1979, two field research accounts had been opened.  He added that, based on recommendations from a recent study of the Smithsonian banking system, actions are being taken, with the support of the independent auditors, to simplify, streamline, and modernize the Institution's baking and cash management, through the application of new banking technology and data processing and decreasing number of banking relationships.