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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

September 18, 1989

[[underlined]] REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE [[/underlined]]

The Executive Committee met on September 7, 1989, to review the agenda proposed for the September 18 meeting of the Board.  Mr. Adams raised for discussion a number of items which he brought up again at the Board's meeting (see the Secretary's Report, below).  Miss Leven noted that the Institution has still not reached its goal of maintaining a fund balance of 5% of the operating budget and added that disappointing summer visitation will require a downward revision of projected revenues from museum shops and restaurant concessions for fiscal year 1990.  Mr. Jameson reported that the House-Senate Conference Committee on the fiscal year 1990 appropriations was expected to meet prior to the meeting of the Board.

The Executive Committee felt that the thorough report on site evaluation indicated clearly that both the Dulles and BWI facilities could amply accommodate the Extension of the National Air and Space Museum.  The Committee shared the Secretary's view that the agenda papers could not adequately convey the full extent of the respective states' ultimate offers of financial support, and to that end they encouraged the Secretary to talk with both governors prior to the Regents' meeting, if possible.

In other discussions, the Executive Committee complimented the Secretary for initiating a process for the review of Smithsonian organization and management.  The Committee felt that problematic salary matters suggest that priority be given to special initiatives rather than awaiting uncertain solutions to the more general problems of pay throughout the Federal agencies.  And the Committee indicated its support for the Secretary's accomplishments in dealing with the issue of Native American skeletal remains in the National Museum of Natural History.  Finally, the Committee suggested that the Audit and Review Committee examine the proposed strategy for renovating the Natural History Museum and bring its recommendations to the Board at the January meeting.

[[underlined]] REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE [[/underlined]]

Dr. Bowen reported on the activities of the Nominating Committee over the summer.  In a variety of meetings and telephone conferences with the Secretary, the Committee reviewed the credentials of some 120 highly qualified candidates.  As discussed with the Regents at their May 8 meeting, special emphasis was given to identifying (1) an individual from the Washington Metropolitan area with considerable experience in Federal and cultural Washington, someone with both the aptitude and willingness to assist the Smithsonian with that kind of competence, in the tradition of the late Carlisle Humelsine, and (2) a scholar, preferably a scientist, who would bring to the Regents added strength in assessing programs of research, exhibition, and dissemination, much in the tradition of Murray Gell-Mann.  The Committee was looking for truly exceptional individuals, people who might bring