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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS
May 6, 1985

[[underline]] SUMMARY OF  PROCEEDINGS [[/underline]]

[Museum Restaurant Facilities and Operations [[/underline]]

The Regents reviewed recent developments regarding the Smithsonian's efforts to improve museum restaurant facilities and operations. It was the sense of the Regents that the Chancellor should appoint a three- or four- member [[underline]] ad hoc [[/underline]] committee of the Regents to review the subject of Smithsonian restaurant services and the various options for the financing, location, and qualities of the restaurant facility at the National Air and Space Museum, and that the committee be asked to report its views to the Board of Regents. It was emphasized that neither this committee nor any individual Regents should become involved in negotiations on these matters with any potential restaurant contractors or concessionaires. 

[[underline]] Report of the Executive Committee [[/underline]]

The Executive Committee met on April 10, 1985 to discuss and approve the proposed agenda for the Regents' May 6 meeting. The Committee reviewed the status of efforts to improve food services in the National Air and Space Museum and agreed that there is now a need to look at a range of options in the design, construction, financing, and even site of a new NASM restaurant. The Chancellor suggested that an [[underline]] ad hoc [[/underline]] committee of the Regents be appointed to review these matters with the staff and make recommendations. It was agreed that the primary goal should be a restaurant facility which would meet the needs of the Museum's visitors attractively and economically without the risk of long-term financial loss to the Institution. 

Referring to the Financial Report, Mr. Jameson told the Committee that with general belt-tightening and the elimination of summer evening visiting hours (except at the Air and Space Museum) the Institution's units should be able to operate within the current year's Federal allocations. 

Mr. Humelsine reported to the Committee that the Secretary had brought to his attention the proposed deaccession of a large number of objects from the collections of the National Museum of American Art. While he saw no objection to proceeding and noted that there had been appropriate attention to pan-Institutional interests and eventual publicity, Mr. Humelsine suggested and it was agreed that the Secretary should report annually on the Smithsonian's major accessions and deaccessions. 

The Secretary spoke briefly about a number of recent developments for the Committee's information, including the topics on which he reported to the full Board (see below, the Report of the Secretary).