Viewing page 12 of 164

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

- ix -

years without a deliberate, rigorous process by which the Nominating Committee and the Board can determine that the individual will be able to continue service of the highest order.

Noting that in little more than a year there will be four vacancies to be filled, the Committee decided to make only one recommendation for nomination at this time (vice Dr. Bowen) with the understanding that additional recommendations will be made at the winter meeting. After considering a broad range of candidates, most of whom remain strong possibilities deserving further consideration, the Committee was unanimous in recommending to the Board the nomination of Hanna Holborn Gray, who is currently President of the University of Chicago. After discussion, it was

VOTED that the Board of Regents nominated Hanna H. Gray for a statutory term as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution effective March 13, 1992, and requests its Congressional members to introduce and support legislation to that effect. 

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents amends its Bylaws to describe the responsibilities of the Chief Financial Officer and to include a procedure to be followed where a member may have a personal interest in a matter before the Board.

THE SECRETARY'S REPORT

The Secretary briefed the Regents on a number of matters which did not lend themselves to written presentations in the prepared agenda for this meeting. He reported that the Smithsonian's popular magazines, which have a major role in the Institution's diffusion of knowledge, are feeling the effects of economic downturn and diminishing advertising as well as sharp increases in postal rates. 

Mr. Adams noted that the Smithsonian National Board would like to be involved in drafting a proposal for a special trust fund which will be attractive to donors and consistent with Smithsonian objectives. It could be linked to an eventual endowment campaign.

The Secretary noted that he and the Librarian of Congress have been working recently toward an inter-institutional understanding about collecting artifacts and printed materials in areas of common interest. To that end, a high-level consultative committee would be appointed from among the officials of both organizations. 

Mr. Adams informed the Board that representatives of a Japanese company have been trying to create a favorable atmosphere for borrowing the space shuttle "Enterprise," which is now housed at Dulles, for an exhibition in Japan. After having considered their proposal all summer, the Director of the National Air and Space Museum has sent a letter saying that at this time the Smithsonian is not prepared to go forward with that loan.