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Appendix A

RELATIONSHIP OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (PERMANENT COMMITTEE) AND THE SECRETARY

This memorandum sets forth the existing role of the Executive Committee (Permanent Committee) (ECPC), Board of Regents, and the role of the Secretary.

The existing role of the ECPC is based in part on:

Statutory authority: The Act of August 10, 1846, provides that the Regents shall elect three of their Members to be an Executive Committee who shall audit the expenses of the Regents in attending meetings of the Board.

Regents' action: On December 8, 1927, it was resolved that the Permanent Committee (originally created by the Regents in 1894) shall consist of the Executive Committee, the Secretary, and two additional Regents, a total of six. No duties were expressed.

Historical evolution: Since 1894, the ECPC has functioned primarily as a financial committee but also, in varying cycles, as an interim advisory committee to assist the Secretary in policy decisions between meetings of the Regents (now held in January, May and an information meeting in autumn).

The role of the Board of Regents is described by statute as follows: 

§ 42. Regents. "The business of the institution shall be conducted at the city of Washington by a Board of Regents, named the Regents of Smithsonian Institution,..."

Under this authority, the Board of Regents is the policy board of the Institution. As reflected in recent actions, the Board is concerned with: 

-- investments and finances, both public and private funds;

-- review of programs and operations;

-- approval or disapproval of future programs and plans;