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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS 
September 28, 1987

[[underlined]] SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS [[/underlined]]

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

At its September 10, 1987 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the proposed agenda for the September 28 meeting of the Board and expressed its hope that the nomination of former Senator Mathias to the Audit and Review Committee and the Personnel Committee would receive the endorsement of the entire Board of Regents.  Turning to the proposal to establish a policy of rotating the independent auditors at least every ten years, the Executive Committee felt that the Audit and Review Committee should discuss this matter and make a recommendation to the Executive Committee and the Board well in advance of the tenth year of the current auditors' service.  The Committee also expressed its grave concerns about the impact of the proposed revisions to the Inspector General Act of 1978 on the effectiveness of the Institution's internal audits and investigations, and the Committee encouraged the Secretary to communicate those concerns with appropriate Congressional staff and the Congressional members of the Board of Regents. 

Mr. Adams informed the Committee about a number of developments which were not covered elsewhere in the agenda and which are noted under his Secretary's Report (below).  In addition to discussing highlights of the financial report, the Committee expressed interest in the summary of the draft Five-Year Prospectus and suggested that additional analysis be presented on the projected growth in staffing and the corresponding increases in personnel costs over the course of the planning period.  Reacting to the staggering costs of renovating the HVAC systems in the Natural History Building over some fourteen years, the Committee felt that every possible alternative should be explored to bring those expenses within reason, including the extreme possibility of temporarily closing the building to visitors to effect greater efficiencies and cost savings in the renovation work. 

The Committee took two actions which needed to be completed in advance of the Board's meeting on September 28.  Pursuant to the agreement of July 28, 1982 with Dr. Sackler, the Executive Committee adopted the following formal resolution on behalf of the Board:

In memory and honor of its great benefactor, Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution hereby designates in perpetuity the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

Also, mindful of a fast-approaching deadline in the offer of valuable works of art to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden from the Estate of Marion and Gustave Ring, the Executive Committee adopted the following motion: