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The Committee noted with pleasure that in a poll through the mails it was

VOTED that in recognition of his outstanding leadership of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and in appreciation of his own seminal research, the Board of Regents awards the Henry Medal to George B. Field.

[[underlined]]Search for New Regent[[/underlined]]

The Chancellor announced that he has asked the Regents' Executive Committee to serve as a search committee for a Regent from the District of Columbia, filling the seat occupied by Nancy Hanks. Suggestions will be solicited from the Regents, staff, and chairmen of Congressional authorizing committees.

[[underlined]]Report of the Audit and Review Committee [[/underlined]]

The Committee met with the Personnel Committee on October 7, 1982.  Dr. Challinor gave an overview of the Chesapeake Bay Center for Environmental Studies, noting the history of land acquisitions and the three major programs (the Watershed, Upland Ecology, and Estuarine Programs), together with the Education Program.  Mr. Powers discussed the revised draft of the Standards of Conduct which are to be approved by the Secretary. The Committees felt that given the unique nature of the Institution, the language of the Standards should make it clear that they are being adopted and applied as a matter of Smithsonian policy, rather than as an extrapolation of Federal law.

Messrs. Powers and Hohenlohe outlined past efforts to clarify the Institution's tax status, which efforts have to date been inconclusive in part because of the complexity of determining the potential liability amidst shifting standards and in part because of delays in receiving technical advice from the IRS.  Mr. Hughes informed the Committees that the internal review of the gem collection was nearly finished, that certain aspects of the review were referred to the Department of Justice, and that measures had been taken to correct apparent conflicts of interest.  Mr. Hohenlohe summarized developments which led to a deficit of over $2  million on the Division of Performing Arts, adding that steps to reorganize the record activities under the Smithsonian Press and the performances under the Assistant Secretary for History and Art should lead to greater museum relatedness and tighter budgeting. The Committees noted that they have received and read Coopers and Lybrand's report on their audit of Fiscal Year 1981 appropriated funds and look forward to a consolidated audit of appropriated and trust funds for Fiscal Year 1982.

[[underlined]] Report of the Personnel Committee [[/underlined]]

The Personnel Committee met on October 7, 1982 and reported that it found no conflict of interest whatsoever in the confidential statements of financial interests of the Secretary and his executive staff.