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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS
February 4, 1991

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

The Executive Committee met on January 23. The Committee expressed support for the actions taken to refer the Mitchell indemnification matter to the General Accounting Office and to develop policy on Smithsonian collecting for research. Subject to the views of the Board, the Committee suggests that any actions proposed by Smithsonian staff in the wake of an opinion from the GAO should be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee in the context of available options.

Discussing the paper on the site for the Extension of the National Air and Space Museum, the Committee observed that the Regents have stated their preference clearly and saw no need for further reaffirmation of it. The Committee also discussed issues likely to surface in the forthcoming hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies and in the light of the focus which Chairman Yates had provided in his January 22, 1991, letter to the Secretary.

The Committee also discussed with the Secretary matters which he will raise in his Secretary's Report (which is given below).

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

The Personnel Committee of the Board of Regents reviewed the [[underlined]] Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests [[/underlined]] for calendar year 1989 submitted by members of the Secretary's Management Committee. As a result of its review, the Committee has unanimously decided that no conflicts of interest appear to be involved and that no actions of any kind concerning conflicts of interest need to be taken with regard to any of these employees. From its review of a report from the Associate General Counsel, the Committee also agreed that the financial reporting procedures for other key staff who must report have functioned in accordance with established guidelines and that any situations which appeared to be potential violations of Smithsonian Standards of Conduct have been resolved by the Associate General Counsel.

[[underlined]] REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE [[/underlined]]

The Audit and Review Committee met on October 1, 1990. Reviewing the status of the new general ledger system, the Committee observed a high degree of skepticism about management's ability to implement a fully integrated system within a reasonable period of time. More coordination will be required between the Treasurer's office and staff in bureaus and offices. Concern was expressed that information about implementation problems had been tardy and insufficient.

In a draft semi-annual report, the Inspector General noted additional problems of infrastructure, including deficiencies in the administration of service contracts and small purchasing. In discussion, he pointed out that the "Hot Line" was functioning effectively and that the Institution's substance abuse problems appear to be no worse than those of other agencies.