MINUTES OF THE JUNE 24, 2013, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Monday, June 24, 2013. The Board 

conducted morning, afternoon, and executive sessions in the Regents’ Room in the Smithsonian 

Castle Building. Board Chair France Córdova called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Also present 

were: 

Barbara Barrett

Xavier Becerra 

Stephen M. Case 1

Thad Cochran 

Tom Cole

Shirley Ann Jackson

Sam Johnson

Robert P. Kogod

Patrick J. Leahy

John W. McCarter Jr. 

David M. Rubenstein

Roger W. Sant

Patricia Q. Stonesifer

Sakurako Fisher, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Alan Spoon, Regent Emeritus and Advancement Committee Chair

The Chancellor, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.; Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.; and Senator 

Jack Reed were unable to attend the meeting. 

Also present were: 

G. Wayne Clough, Secretary 

Patricia L. Bartlett, Chief of Staff to the Secretary 

Claudine K. Brown, Assistant Secretary for 

Education and Access (ASEA)

Amy Chen, Chief Investment Officer

Virginia B. Clark, Director of Advancement and 

Philanthropic Giving

Scott S. Dahl, Inspector General

Barbara Feininger, Office of the Regents Senior 

Writer-Editor (recorder)

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance and

Administration/Chief Financial Officer

Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art, 

and Culture 

John K. Lapiana, Chief of Staff to the Regents 

Judith Leonard, General Counsel 

Evelyn S. Lieberman, Director of Communications

and External Affairs 

Christopher Liedel, President of Smithsonian 

Enterprises

Nell Payne, Director of Government Relations 

Eva J. Pell, Under Secretary for Science 

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

Tonya N. Williams, Assistant to the Vice President

T.A. Hawks, Assistant to Senator Cochran

Kevin McDonald, Assistant to Senator Leahy 

Moira Lenehan-Razzuri, Assistant to Senator Reed

Sean Murphy, Assistant to Congressman Cole

David Heil, Assistant to Congressman Johnson 

Margaret Chmiel, Smithsonian Science Education 

Center Educational Technology Specialist 2

Peter Haydock, ASEA Senior Technology Manager 2

Mathew Holman, Smithsonian Astrophysical 

Observatory Senior Astrophysicist 2

Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the National Museum 

of Natural History 2

Peter Marra, National Zoological Park Research 

Scientist 2

Stephanie Norby, Director of the Smithsonian 

Center for Learning and Digital Access 2

1 Mr. Case participated in the morning session.

2 Ms. Chmiel, Mr. Haydock, Dr. Holman, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Marra, and Ms. Norby participated in special presentations to the Board.
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MORNING SESSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The meeting of the Board of Regents began with an executive session, which was 

called to order by Board Chair France Córdova. The executive session adjourned at 

about 9:45 a.m.

REPORT OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Introductory Remarks Board Chair France Córdova called the open session to order at 9:48 a.m. She 

thanked staff for their contributions towards the previous evening’s dinner honoring 

emeriti members of the Board of Regents, which was attended by Regents Emeriti 

Jeannine Smith Clark, James R. Sasser, Alan G. Spoon, and R. James Woolsey. She 

noted two changes on the grounds outside of the Smithsonian Castle Building: 

preparations for the 2013 Folklife Festival scheduled to open on June 26 and the 

removal of the crane from the Arts and Industries Building. Dr. Córdova also reported 

that she and Board Vice Chair John McCarter recently visited the National Museum of 

African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) construction site. Secretary Wayne 

Clough noted that the project is on time and on budget, and that water issues on the 

site have been addressed. The placement of a Jim Crow–era Pullman railway car, an 

iconic object in the museum’s collection around which the building will be 

constructed, may occur as early as October 2013. 

Dr. Córdova updated the Regents on the fifth annual Smithsonian advisory board 

chair retreat, which was held on June 12, 2013, and cohosted by Dr. Córdova and 

Secretary Clough. Representatives from 15 Smithsonian advisory boards participated. 

Feedback from retreat discussions about sequestration planning and strengthening 

the advisory boards will be forwarded to the Governance and Nominating Committee. 

Participants were informed that Booz Allen Hamilton has been contracted to advise 

on ways to better engage and utilize the boards’ assets, as well as develop their

leadership capacity in advisory board best practices. A one-page statement of work 

for expert consultants was provided to the Regents for their review. 

Dr. Córdova also noted that she and Secretary Clough attended the annual 

Smithsonian Affiliations conference, which was held in the U.S. Capitol building. She 

thanked Congressional Regent Tom Cole for hosting the event.

Actions Between Meetings Dr. Córdova reported on two actions taken by the Executive Committee on behalf of 

the Board since its April 2013 meeting. A new member was appointed to the National 

Postal Museum Council of Philatelists and the naming of the future NMAAHC theater

for Oprah Winfrey was approved in recognition of her $13 million in total gifts to the 

new museum.
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Minutes of the April 29, 

2013, Board Meeting 

The minutes of the April 29, 2013, Board meeting were presented for approval. The 

minutes were approved without comment or revision.

See attached Action 2013.06.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Dr. Córdova noted that July 1, 2013, will be the fifth anniversary of the appointment 

of Secretary Clough. She said that the Secretary has laid the groundwork for the 

Smithsonian’s first national campaign; led the development of an ambitious, 

comprehensive, and unique strategic plan; repaired the Smithsonian’s relationship 

with the Congress and other stakeholders; instilled a spirit of entrepreneurship and 

creativity in all aspects of what the Smithsonian does; and restored a sense of pride 

and mission across the Smithsonian. The Board joined Dr. Córdova in a round of 

applause in recognition of the Secretary’s accomplishments. The Secretary thanked 

the Board for their support and acknowledged the many contributions of staff in the 

advancement of these initiatives.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

The Secretary updated the Board on recent Smithsonian news, activities, and 

initiatives. He announced that the National Zoological Park’s (NZP) recently 

expanded Elephant House welcomed Bozie, a female elephant from the Baton 

Rouge Zoo. Negotiations are nearly complete regarding the transfer of three 

elephants from the Calgary Zoo. One of those female elephants, said Secretary 

Clough, is fertile. The Secretary also noted that the 2013 Folklife Festival will 

open on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Hungary is the featured nation.

Recognitions The annual report, said the Secretary, is one of the best created to date. He 

credited Director of Advancement and Philanthropic Giving Virginia Clark and 

Director of Communications and External Affairs Evelyn Lieberman for their 

efforts, and the Board concurred with a round of applause. Caroline Baumann 

was hired as the director of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. The 

Secretary thanked Under Secretary Kurin for leading the search process. He later 

noted that Ms. Lieberman recently hired Spanish language media expert Maria 

Anderson to help raise the Smithsonian’s visibility in the Latino community, 

adding that nearly all of the Smithsonian’s digital sites now have language 

translation capabilities.

Nancy Knowlton, National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Sant Ocean 

Chair, was recently named to both the National Academy of Sciences and the 

American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Smithsonian Environmental Research 

Center (SERC) Director Tuck Hines was named one of five “Green Heroes” by 

Washingtonian magazine. The Office of Public Affairs and the National Air and 

Space Museum (NASM) won the 2013 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence for the 

Smithsonian’s social media coverage of the arrival of the Space Shuttle Discovery. 

The Secretary noted that over 2 billion people responded to the event.

The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries recently bestowed the 
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Charles Robert Long Award of Extraordinary Merit, its highest recognition, on the 

Biodiversity Heritage Library. The Secretary shared a copy of Smithsonian 

Enterprises’ Super Nature book; both that book and Giant Squid were recipients 

of National Science Teachers Awards. Natonal Museum of American History 

(NMAH) Political Historian Larry Bird’s recently released book Souvenir Nation has 

generated a lot of publicity. 

The Smithsonian Channel production “9/11: Stories in Fragments” was awarded 

the CINE Masters Award for Excellence as the best non-fiction telecast of the 

year. The Channel, reported the Secretary, will be telecast in Canada and is 

negotiating similar international opportunities with Turkey, South Korea, and 

Brazil. The American Association of School Librarians named the Smithsonian’s 

website www.seriouslyamazing.si.edu the best website for teaching and learning.

The Secretary reported that visitation rates are slightly ahead of last year, which 

achieved the highest visitation rate in about a decade. 

Federal Budget Update The Smithsonian is operating on a full-year continuing resolution (CR) that is 

holding Federal funding at the fiscal year 2012 level, less sequestration reductions 

totaling $42 million. The Secretary thanked the congressional Regents for their 

efforts to help the Smithsonian receive an additional $5 million in operational 

funding for the NMAAHC and $2 million of capital for repairs to facilities damaged 

by Hurricane Sandy.

In preparation for the possibility of sequestration, a series of activities were put in 

place to prepare for fiscal year 2013 reductions. These measures, said the 

Secretary, are temporary and will not be sufficient to address future budget 

reductions. Conditions for the fiscal year 2014 Federal budget are not promising. 

One possible scenario would result in a $65 million cut in Federal funding, and 

additional reductions could be implemented if Congress diverts cuts to defense 

funding to other Federal agencies.

The Smithsonian, said the Secretary, is taking all available actions to prepare for 

the possibility of additional Federal funding cuts. In addition to regular meetings 

between Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer 

Al Horvath and top financial staff, the several Smithsonian directors will meet in 

July 2013 to discuss how the Smithsonian could absorb a possible $65 million cut. 

A proposal for the budget process will be developed for the Regents’ review. A 

portion of the retreat will be devoted to discussing how the Smithsonian can 

achieve its strategic goals by 2017. The Secretary also noted that, at Dr. 

Córdova’s suggestion, a website was launched to invite cost-savings proposals 

from Smithsonian staff; over 400 suggestions have been received to date. 

The Secretary asked if the congressional Regents had any additional comments to 

offer on the Federal budget. Representative Cole, who sits on the Interior 

Appropriations Committee, noted that the House’s 302B allocation has been 

reduced by 19 percent. The House, he said, largely agrees on funding for defense, 

homeland security, military construction, and agriculture but funding for other 

agencies, particularly interior appropriations, is unclear. Resolution of the Federal 
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budget situation will depend upon the ability of the House and the Senate to 

develop a deal on discretionary spending. The two chambers, he said, are 

currently about $92 billion apart in their proposed budgets. He also noted that 

the nation will reach its debt ceiling in October 2013.

Senator Leahy noted that the House moves first on appropriation bills. In 

preparation, the Senate has developed and marked up a number of 

appropriations bills. He noted that the allocations in the House bills, as he 

understands it, are greater than those in the companion Senate bills. Ideally, he 

said, budget conferences would be held but the objections of two members have 

prevented such meetings. 

The bad news, stated Senator Cochran, is that “we are out of money.” Under the 

Budget Act, Congress is limited in what it can appropriate. The standoff in 

Congress, he said, could result in another CR process. Representative Becerra 

noted his belief that there will be a late-year budget deal. The “wild card,” he 

said, will be defense and homeland security funding.

Trust Budget Update Revenues from Smithsonian Enterprises (SE) total $92.4 million, representing a 

$1.3 million gain over prior year revenues. SE net gain revenues stand at $18.6 

million, which is $2 million ahead of last year’s gains. The Endowment also is up,

standing at $1,161.8 million as of May 31, 2013. The Endowment payout, said the 

Secretary, will not change because it is based on a five-year trailing average.

The national campaign is doing well, standing at about 47 percent of its working 

goal. It is anticipated that the campaign will reach over 60 percent of its working 

goal by the time of the fall 2014 public launch. Fiscal year 2013 annual 

fundraising, he noted, is not as strong; it is possible that the stretch goal of $220 

million might not be met.

Dr. Córdova asked about advisability of SE direct mailing costs, which were 

detailed in the Smithsonian’s IRS 990. SE Chris Liedel said that SE is moving 

towards an e-commerce model but, in order to maintain its current customer 

base, is continuing to conduct certain direct mail activities during the transition.

The Smithsonian recently launched two fundraising crowdsourcing initiatives. 

One is for Yoga: The Art of Transformation, a Sackler Gallery of Art exhibition 

scheduled to open in October 2013, and the other is America’s Family Album, an 

audience engagement campaign. Fundraising for the NMAAHC is gaining 

momentum, and the museum has a strong pipeline of significant gifts. 

Education, Consortia, and 

Exhibition Updates

The Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Leadership and Assistance for 

Science Education Reform (LASER) model passed the next level of external 

evaluations in its U.S. Department of Education i3 grant. It is rated one of the top 

programs funded in the innovation initiative. The “boots on the ground” 

program, said the Secretary, has reached over 70,000 students and 3,000 

teachers. The Smithsonian is now positioned to compete for the next round of 

grants, which total $35–50 million.
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A number of Smithsonian education centers have opened or soon will be opening. 

The National Museum of the American Indian’s education center on the National 

Mall has opened, as also has a center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum 

(SAAM). Education centers at the NMNH and the National Postal Museum will 

open in fall 2013. The centers are an important part of the Smithsonian’s 

outreach efforts.

The first director of a Consortia initiative has been hired. J. Emmett Duffy, a 

prominent marine scientist, is the first director of the Tennenbaum Marine 

Observatories. The Secretary noted that the financial support of Smithsonian 

National Board (SNB) member Michael Tennenbaum has provided for the new 

position; he also thanked Under Secretary for Science Eva Pell for leading the 

search process.

The collaborative initiative “Our American Journey” (formerly known as 

“Americans All”) is developing many outreach activities. A joint exhibition with 

the Newseum is scheduled to open in May 2014. One America with News for All: 

How Ethnic News Shaped America, the working title of the exhibition, is being 

planned with the help of ethnic news services in four cities and the National Park 

Service. 

The Secretary commented on a few of the many excellent Smithsonian exhibitions 

now on view. Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code opened at the NMNH in June 2013. 

The Archives of American Art played a central role in the centennial celebration of 

the New York City Armory Show. The exhibition I Want the Wide American Earth: 

An Asian Pacific American Story, a collaboration between the Smithsonian 

Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and NMAH, opened in May 2013 and will 

travel to 14 venues in the next three years.

FINANCIAL DASHBOARD

Revenues Under Secretary Al Horvath discussed the financial dashboard and quarterly financial 

report. Noting that the Smithsonian is operating under a CR for the remainder of 

fiscal year 2013, he reported that the Smithsonian’s sequestration plan for fiscal year 

2013 was formally approved by the Office of Management and Budget on May 10, 

2013. No further changes or adjustments are expected. 

Noting that the fiscal year 2013 fundraising goals for gifts and sponsored projects are 

aggressive, Mr. Horvath stated that both are projected to be behind budget at fiscal 

year-end. He emphasized, however, that 47 percent of the national campaign 

working goal has been raised with only 38 percent of the campaign fundraising 

schedule elapsed. In addition, fiscal year 2013 sponsored projects revenues will 

exceed fiscal year 2012 goals. Mr. Horvath added that funds are not expended 

against those two resource pools until received, and so risk remains low. He also 

noted that SE is expected to exceed its fiscal year 2013 net gain goal.

Expenses The Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2013 Federal expenditures, reported Mr. Horvath, are 
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trending according to the sequestration-level plan and are anticipated to achieve 

balance by fiscal year-end. Trust expenses are anticipated to be on or below budget 

at fiscal year-end. He said that, considering the uncertain Federal budget climate, 

management is feeling reasonably positive about the Smithsonian’s fiscal year-end 

forecast. 

Capital projects are doing well, said Mr. Horvath. The construction of the NMAAHC 

will be especially busy in the next four to six weeks. The design of the building is 

almost complete and the final work package is out for bid. The final construction 

price, said Mr. Horvath, should come in at the end of July 2013. The shape of the new 

museum is emerging: the site excavation is essentially complete and the focus is now 

on concrete formation. Mr. Horvath encouraged the Regents to attend the 

installation of the Jim Crow–era Pullman railway car in the fall. The Secretary added

that the building is designed to meet LEED gold certification, and may in fact achieve 

LEED platinum standards. 

Federal Budget: Fiscal Year 

2014 and Beyond

Mr. Horvath discussed planning for fiscal year 2014 and beyond with regard to the 

Federal budget and sequester negotiations. He noted that the Federal budget 

process is very unclear at this time.

The Smithsonian has been developing an expense reduction plan process that will 

target roughly $65 million in cuts in response to the possibility of continuing budget 

reductions imposed by sequestration. The first action in this process, said Mr. 

Horvath, was completed in April 2013. Each Smithsonian unit prepared and 

submitted a 7 percent reduction plan to the central budget office, which in turn 

analyzed the submissions. On June 3, all Smithsonian financial officers participated in 

a half-day retreat during which participants discussed different budget reduction 

strategies. The strategies, said Mr. Horvath, were considered from an institutional, 

strategic, and holistic perspective. With regard to the “Cost Savings” website 

previously described by the Secretary, Mr. Horvath reported that the responses 

received from staff were thoughtful. Many of the proposed ideas, he said, could 

“bear fruit” in the future. 

Currently, cost-savings ideas fall into five broad areas: activities that could be 

eliminated, potential consolidations designed to achieve greater efficiencies, services 

that could be outsourced, revenue-generating ideas, and changes to the museums’ 

current operating model (such as closing Smithsonian museums one day a week). The 

cost-savings potential of different proposals are being assessed, and the data from 

the analyses will help inform discussions at the July 2013 all-directors retreat. 

Mr. Horvath said that the Finance Committee will meet on August 24, 2013, and that 

efforts are on track to present a plan that will address how the Smithsonian can move 

forward if faced with Federal budget reductions of the magnitude discussed. 

REPORT OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Investment Committee Vice Chair Steve Case presented the Investment Committee 

report on behalf of Investment Committee Chair David Silfen. Mr. Case said that, as 
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of March 31, 2013, the Endowment’s returns were exceeding its trailing one-, three-, 

five-, and 10-year policy benchmarks. The committee, he said, agrees that the 

Endowment is well-positioned because of both the strong market and the leadership 

of Chief Investment Officer Amy Chen. He reported that the committee approved 

limited changes to the long-term policy portfolio and investment guidelines; asset 

allocations also were slightly modified. Mr. Case added that Mr. Silfen advised that, 

although the Endowment’s performance has been strong over the last year, the 

Smithsonian “cannot be complacent.” 

REPORT OF THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Update on the National 

Campaign

Advancement Committee Chair and Regent Emeritus Alan Spoon updated the Board 

on the launch of the national campaign and the committee’s recommendations 

regarding two major gifts. 

He commented on campaign progress and challenges. Efforts to involve volunteers 

and donors have been successful. Since the beginning of the campaign work, the 

number of donors pledging $25,000 to $1 million has increased by one-third. This 

momentum will benefit future campaigns as well.

Cochaired by Barbara Barrett, David Rubenstein, and Mr. Spoon, the campaign 

steering committee is large and includes representatives from the units and unit 

advisory boards. Mr. Spoon went on to describe the composition and work of the 

Campaign Steering Committee. The group has met three times. These meetings are 

opportunities for members to get to know and learn from each other. He commented 

that these meetings mark a cultural shift towards a Smithsonian-wide effort and 

noted that the Regents’ support and engagement is important to these volunteers, 

their boards, and the units.

Each unit is developing its fundraising case. Mr. Spoon said he would circulate a 

summary of the single big issue, or “handle,” each unit has developed. During the last 

Advancement Committee meeting, Under Secretary for Science Eva Pell and SAO 

Director Charles Alcock outlined an innovative approach that could be used to attract 

support for SAO’s $80 million fundraising efforts for the Giant Magellan Telescope 

(GMT). There were questions and discussion of this project. Mr. Spoon outlined the 

progress of NMAAHC’s campaign, and he and the Secretary noted the contributions 

made by museum Council Chair Kenneth Chenault, Mr. Rubenstein, and Ms. 

Stonesifer. 

Mr. Spoon reported it is planned and discussed that 100 percent unit advisory board 

member participation is expected by the end of the national campaign. Likewise, 

steering committee members, advisory board chairs, and unit advancement 

committee chairs have been informed that their commitments are expected by the 

October 2014 public campaign kickoff.

A challenge for the campaign, Mr. Spoon noted, is developing a pipeline of gifts of $5 

million or greater. The Secretary and the campaign team are aware that donors have 
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been generous to date, but that the Smithsonian’s circle of “friends” must expand. 

He asked the Regents to be mindful of opportunities to connect potential donors with 

gift opportunities that will resonate with them.

Gift Actions Director of Advancement and Philanthropic Giving Virginia Clark said fundraising for 

the national campaign is on track. She presented two gifts for the Board’s approval 

and five gifts from foundations, individuals, and corporations for review. The latter 

did not require Board approval and reflect the wide range of gifts the Smithsonian 

receives. One of the two proposed gift actions was from a relatively new donor and 

the other was from a donor that has enjoyed a long-term philanthropic relationship 

with the Smithsonian. In response to a question from Dr. Jackson, Ms. Clark explained 

that the “in perpetuity” recognition for one of the gifts names a program endowment, 

not a facility. The two motions were approved en banc.

See attached Actions 2013.06.04–2013.06.05 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES 

COMMITTEE

Compensation Update Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair Patricia Stonesifer reported on 

the May 6, 2013, committee meeting. She credited Office of Human Resources (OHR) 

Director Jim Douglas and OHR Associate Director Greg Bettwy for supporting the 

committee’s efforts. The committee’s first item of business, she said, was a 

discussion of the ongoing freeze on Federal salaries, which is now in its third year. 

The committee asked that the Regents recognize the progress that has been made 

with regard to Smithsonian staff and leadership, despite the salary freeze. Ms. 

Stonesifer noted that this progress demonstrates the effective leadership of Secretary 

Clough and his team.

The Secretary, who has the right to request that the committee grant certain salary 

exceptions, requested few exceptions during this three-year period. During its

meeting, said Ms. Stonesifer, the committee discussed one possible salary exemption 

for lower-level Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute employees. The discussion 

was informed, she said, by information from the U.S. Department of State regarding 

appropriate adjustments to salaries. The committee asked for additional information, 

which will be considered at the committee’s September 2013 meeting.

Reasonable Leave and 

Compensatory Time for 

Travel Policies

The committee also reviewed the Smithsonian’s policies and staff recommendations 

regarding leave and compensatory time for travel. Pursuant to the Board’s approval 

on March 1, 2013, the Secretary was moved to a reasonable leave system and his 

eligibility for compensatory time for travel was eliminated. The committee, said Ms. 

Stonesifer, agreed that the Secretary’s Trust-level direct reports should remain on a 

leave accrual system but concurred that those employees’ eligibility for compensatory 

time be eliminated in lieu of an alternate approach with flexible work schedules. The 

committee also agreed that the leave and compensatory time for travel policies for all 

Federal and other Trust senior-level employees should remain unchanged. The 
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committee’s recommendations, said Ms. Stonesifer, were referred to the Governance 

and Nominating Committee for review and endorsement.

Workforce Diversity The committee, said Ms. Stonesifer, also reviewed the diversity of the Smithsonian’s 

workforce. She reported that little change has occurred in the demographics of the 

workforce over the last three years, which is largely attributed to hiring limitations 

during this period. Regardless, the committee agreed with the Secretary that the 

Smithsonian should focus on developing a pipeline of new employees and fellowship 

positions that better reflects the diversity of national demographics. This issue will be 

further examined at the fall 2013 committee meeting. Dr. Córdova cited the efforts of 

the Smithsonian Latino Center’s Young Ambassadors Program, which supports the 

development of a diverse workforce by annually sponsoring about 20 young 

representatives of the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and 

humanities.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Roger Sant reported on the 

committee’s May 29, 2013, meeting. Mr. Sant noted that there would two committee 

reports, and that the afternoon executive session would include a committee-directed 

discussion of candidates to succeed himself and Ms. Stonesifer on the Board of 

Regents. This report, he said, would address four issues: appointments to 

Smithsonian advisory boards, amendments to the Smithsonian National Board (SNB) 

bylaws, documentation of the Regents’ oversight of the Secretary’s travel, and the 

leave and compensatory time for travel policies just discussed by Ms. Stonesifer.

Mr. Sant commented on the impressive slate of candidates who have volunteered to 

serve, if appointed, on four advisory boards. Four motions to appoint or reappoint 

advisory board members were approved en banc. 

See attached Actions 2013.06.06–2013.06.09 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

Mr. Sant and SNB Chair Sako Fisher agreed that the revisions to the SNB bylaws were 

essentially minor updates that include clarified language about SNB leadership terms 

and the renaming of a committee. The motion was approved.

See attached Action 2013.06.10 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

In response to the Inspector General’s request that the Board document its oversight 

of the Secretary’s travel, Mr. Sant reported that the committee approved a formal 

documentation process for the Secretary’s travel. He also noted that the committee 

endorsed the Compensation and Human Resources Committee’s recommendations 

regarding the leave and compensatory time for travel policies discussed during that 

committee’s report.
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REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROGRAMS COMMITTEE

Strategic Planning and Programs Committee Chair Shirley Ann Jackson presented the 

committee’s report. The committee met on May 15, 2013. Dr. Jackson reported that 

a significant portion of this Regents’ meeting agenda reflected presentations, 

discussions, and input from the committee meeting.

The committee conducted its regular review of the pan-institutional calendar for 

planned exhibitions. No exhibitions were reported to have potentially sensitive 

and/or controversial content. The committee also was updated on a conservation 

and research issue.

Dr. Jackson said Under Secretaries Kurin and Pell and Assistant Secretary for 

Education and Access Claudine Brown were invited to report to the committee on 

noteworthy initiatives in their subject areas. Topics discussed included the Hirshhorn 

“Bubble” project and the interpretation of a papyrus fragment that reportedly 

indicates that Jesus of Nazareth was married. The fragment, which is held in a private 

collection, is the subject of a proposed Smithsonian Channel documentary. The 

Smithsonian declined to air the documentary until further research is conducted on 

the fragment, which is allegedly from the 4th century AD. Dr. Kurin told the Board 

that, as of this date, the owner of the artifact has not agreed to have the papyrus or 

the ink tested.

REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Director of Government Relations Nell Payne updated the Board on the outreach 

activities of the Office of Government Relations. She reported that a Folklife Festival 

preview concert of Hungarian music will be held in the Upper Senate Park, and 

thanked the six Congressional Regents for promoting the program by signing a “Dear 

Colleague” letter. Several briefings on the status of the NMAAHC construction project 

have been held with interested congressional offices. With the help of 

Representative Becerra, NMAH Director John Gray brought artifacts from the First 

Ladies collection to a meeting of a session of the Democratic Caucus. Ms. Payne 

noted that the event was well-received and that similar opportunities are desirable. 

Conversations have been renewed with Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL) 

regarding reviving the Philatelic Caucus, which was quite active in the past. 

Representative Aderholt has helped with the biannual stamp exhibition in the 

Rayburn House Office Building. She noted that representatives of the Congressional 

Native American Caucus visited the Cultural Resources Center to view Native 

American artifacts. Secretary Clough added that the spouses of many congressional 

Republicans recently toured the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland.

Mr. Case asked about the status of the President’s proposed Federal appropriations 

to the Smithsonian for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) 

initiatives, including possible interagency funding consolidations. Ms. Payne reported 

that there is a fair amount of “pushback” from congressional members and 
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constituents invested in other Federal programs whose budgets could be reduced 

should the Smithsonian receive increased funding for its STEM initiatives. The 

Secretary added that the Smithsonian has made clear that it did not propose the 

possible redirection of STEM funding away from other agencies. 

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Under Secretary Eva Pell discussed a research initiative recently launched by SERC. 

Sixty acres of Maryland farmland are being transformed into an experimental forest 

of 18,000 diverse seedlings to determine whether a biodiverse forest is more 

sustainable, can better support the species that inhabit it, and is more capable of 

filtering out pollutants and absorbing carbon. The long-term study will compare 

observations from the SERC forest (called BiodiversiTree) and from two experimental 

forests in Panama. The project also offers revenue-generating opportunities, as SERC 

will be able to sell forest mitigation credits and forest interior dwelling species (FIDS) 

credits.

Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture Richard Kurin discussed research related 

to the NMAAHC’s recent acquisition of a slave cabin built during the first half of the 

19th century on Edisto Island, South Carolina. Smithsonian historians conducted 

research on the structure and its former inhabitants during its dismantlement. Oral 

histories were taken, including an interview with a resident who lived in one of the 

more than 25 identical buildings. The cabin will be on view in the Slavery and 

Freedom exhibition in the new museum.

LUNCHEON PRESENTATION:

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Introduction and 

Background

Under Secretary Pell introduced the Regents’ luncheon speaker, Sant Director of the 

National Museum of Natural History Kirk Johnson, who joined the museum in October 

2012. Dr. Johnson previously served as the chief curator and vice president of 

research and collections at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. A respected 

geologist and paleontologist, as well as a recognized communicator and author, the 

focus of Dr. Johnson’s research includes the study of the geology and fossil plants of 

the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains from between 34 million to 145 million years 

ago, as well as the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary extinction event and the origin 

of major ecological communities known as biomes. His previous work has included 

numerous collaborations with the Smithsonian.

Dr. Johnson noted that his fascination with geology began when, as a 12-year-old boy, 

he discovered a fossilized crab in a rock. He then knew he would pursue a career in 

museums, discovery, and studies of the natural world.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a large regional museum, said Dr. 

Johnson, and he participated in many collaborative research projects during his 22 

years at the museum. Many major exhibits were built, including the Hall of the 
13

History of Life on Earth, which opened in 1995. Dr. Johnson added that the world of 

paleontology is rapidly changing, noting that the known number of dinosaurs of the 

world doubled from the time of that exhibit’s opening and the year 2005. 

To protect its collections, the museum raised $60 million and built a 126,000-squarefoot addition that will open this fall. The visitor experience and the changing museum 

landscape of the 21st century also have been major priorities for the museum.

Many of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s initiatives came together in the 

fall of 2010, said Dr. Johnson, when a 12-acre lake in Snowmass Village, Colorado, was 

drained to enlarge its holding capacity. The lake’s basin revealed a significant trove of 

Ice Age fossils. The museum developed a 300-member corps of volunteers that 

included 42 scientists from 19 universities and four countries. The volunteers went 

into action and moved 8,000 tons of dirt by hand in 69 days. As many as 6,000 bones 

were discovered, including those of more than 50 mastodons and 12 mammoths, as 

well as the bones of giant bison, ground sloths, horses, and camels. After the La Brea 

Tar Pits, the site is now recognized as the second-most significant Ice Age site in North 

America. 

During this time, live broadcasts from the site engaged the public and, later, the work 

was featured on NOVA and a book was written. The entire experience, said Dr. 

Johnson, demonstrates the power of a museum’s ability to focus on its collections, 

support a strong core of scientists, collaborate with scientific partners, and 

communicate with the public.

Dr. Johnson noted that he was invited to give the keynote address at a 2012 meeting 

on the future of natural history museums, which was held at the National Museum of 

Natural History. There he expressed his view that natural history museums are about 

three things: audiences and the tools used to communicate with them, new 

knowledge and discovery, and the preservation of objects.

The National Museum of 

Natural History 

Dr. Johnson then reviewed his first eight months at the Smithsonian. The NMNH, he 

said, is the single largest natural history museum in the world. It has over 7.4 million 

physical visitors each year, more than 21 million digital visitors, and 127 million 

objects in its collections, which is about 90 percent of the Smithsonian’s entire 

holdings. The museum possesses one of the strongest natural science teams in the 

world: its scientific staff includes 80 permanent curators and over 200 staff members 

with PhD degrees from various sources.

Dr. Johnson discussed the new exhibition Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code, which was 

developed in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Human 

Genome Research Institute. By combining the Smithsonian’s work in biodiversity 

genomics and NIH’s work on the human genome project, the exhibition addresses 

what is a genome and why a genome matters. 

The NMNH audience, he said, is enormous. Between spring break and Labor Day, 

45,000 to 60,000 people a day attend the museum. During the last week of March 

2013, the museum saw 386,000 visitors. Most of these visitors are tourists, 15 

percent of whom are international. Over a 10-year span, some 75 million people visit 
14

the museum—a number that equals 20 percent of the nation’s population. 

NMNH collections are vast in scope and internationally recognized. Dr. Johnson noted

that Joseph Henry, the first Smithsonian Secretary, was a forward-thinking leader who 

advocated the support of science and learning more than the creation of museums, 

and considered the role of collections to be for the support of research. Collections, 

said Dr. Johnson, must be carefully planned with regard to intellectual scope, as well 

as managed. In addition to its historic collections of ethnographic, biological, and 

geological objects, the NMNH collections include cryogenetic samples that underpin 

genomic and biodiversity research. NMNH cold storage facilities can hold up to 4.5 

million frozen tissue samples and, in April 2013, the museum opened a 120-bench 

analytical biology laboratory to support in-house genomic research.

Dr. Johnson discussed the scientists who conduct NMNH research. He noted that he 

spends one hour each working day with a NMNH scientist, and presented examples of 

some of their work. Each NMNH scientist, he said, publishes at least three scientific 

papers each year. Cumulatively, the 81 scientific curators on staff have published 

over 9,000 papers to date and their work has received some 219,000 citations. Over 

the last century, said Dr. Johnson, NMNH scientists have published over 42,000 

scientific papers. He also emphasized the value of having great scientists with strong 

communication skills.

The museum’s facilities were then discussed. The Mall facility, a 1.3 million-squarefoot building that was built in 1910, is about 50 percent renovated. The NMNH 

holdings also include the Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland. Together, 

the two facilities host 39 different Smithsonian-affiliated organizations. All of the 

objects in the NMNH collections are housed in the facilities’ combined total of 2.1 

million square feet of space.

Dr. Johnson reported that there are about 10 big natural history museums in the 

United States, and about 12 others throughout the world. Collectively, these 

museums preserve, study, and interpret the natural world. Dr. Johnson reported that 

he visited the primary American natural history museums since his arrival at the 

museum. He then organized the first-ever meeting of directors of the top 10 natural 

history museums; the meeting was held two weeks prior to this Regents’ meeting. 

The directors discussed the common challenges natural history museums face, as well 

as the potential for “wiring together” their efforts in an increasingly digital world.

Dr. Johnson then discussed the key initiatives the museum will focus on in the near 

future. The Smithsonian, he said, is well-positioned to contribute to the global 

genome initiative and the genomics of biodiversity. The NMNH Q?rius Center, which 

will blend museum visitors, scientists, and collections in an environment that supports 

learning opportunities, will open in November 2013. The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL), a 

coalition of many organizations, now has over 1.3 million species pages on the web. 

EOL’s full potential, Dr. Johnson noted, is just beginning to be understood. The launch 

of the Tennenbaum Marine Observatories will present many opportunities for the 

marine science staff at the NMNH. In early 2014, the museum will commence the 

complete renovation of the first floor of the museum’s East Wing (which first opened 

as the Hall of Extinct Monsters in 1911). A new exhibit about the history of life on 
15

Earth, informally known as Deep Time, will open in 2019.

The presentation closed with an image of a young boy who visited the museum during 

Dr. Johnson’s first few days in his new position. The four-year-old child, he said, 

donated a hand-decorated box holding $270 dollars to support the creation of the 

Deep Time exhibit, making him the second donor to the new exhibition. (The first 

donor was industrialist and philanthropist David H. Koch, who gave $35 million for the 

renovation of the space.) The future of the museum is strong, Dr. Johnson said, 

because of its incredible visitation, scientists, and collections.

Dr. Pell thanked Dr. Johnson for his presentation, and the Board concurred with a 

round of applause.
16

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at 12:52 p.m.

SERIOUSLY AMAZING: DETERMINING EXOPLANETS’ MASS USING 

KEPLER DATA

Under Secretary Eva Pell introduced the meeting’s “Seriously Amazing” presentation. 

Dr. Pell spoke of SAO’s contributions to the discovery and characterization of 

exoplanets. She then introduced SAO Senior Astrophysicist and Associate Director for 

the Theoretical Astrophysics Division Matthew Holman. Dr. Holman discussed how 

analysis of data from the Kepler space observatory is supporting scientists’ efforts to 

identify Earth-like planets that possess certain characteristics—the “Goldilocks” 

zone—that could potentially host life. 

Dr. Holman explained how scientists’ understanding of planets over the past 20 years 

has expanded far beyond Earth’s solar system to the discovery of thousands of 

planets orbiting other stars. Scientists continue to discover increasingly smaller 

planets, planets with larger orbits, and planets with masses similar to that of the 

Earth. These discoveries, he said, inspire the imagination; inform our understanding 

of the formation of planets and their basic characteristics; and fuel questions about 

whether or not planets comparable to the Earth exist in the universe.

Dr. Holman discussed two basic techniques for discovering and characterizing 

extrasolar planets—the radial-velocity method and the transit method—and also 

commented on his development of a transit-timing variation method. The collection 

of data using the transit method, he said, accelerated with the launch of Kepler 

telescope, which he characterized as a “giant digital camera.” Although it is in the last 

stages of its usable life, the Kepler telescope has focused on about 150,000 stars for 

about four years and generated an unprecedented data set. SAO scientists, said Dr. 

Holman, have been key contributors to Kepler’s efforts to find earth-like planets that 

orbit other stars.

The next NASA-selected mission will be the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or 

TESS, which will launch in the next four years. Whereas the Kepler telescope 

monitored one area of the sky, TESS will monitor the full sky; it will detect planets 

orbiting brighter stars and permit measurements of the atmospheres of those 

planets. In addition, Dr. Holman discussed the anticipated contributions of the GMT 

and compared the capabilities of ground-based telescopes and space-based 

observatories. 

In response to a comment by Mr. McCarter, Dr. Holman discussed the “Goldilocks” 

zone and the working definition of “habitable.” Exoplanets in the “Goldilocks” zone, 

he said, are comparable in size to the Earth and possess similar orbits. These 

characteristics increase the possibility that such planets may have liquid water, which 
17

is critical to biology as it is currently understood. The atmosphere of a planet, Dr. 

Holman said, also plays a critical role in its ability to host liquid water. Spectrographic 

analysis helps distinguish the light of a star from that of a planet, and as well as help 

determine diagnostically the composition of a planet’s atmosphere.

Mr. Rubenstein asked about the closest proximity of a potentially habitable planet. 

Dr. Holman said that a small M dwarf star within about 50 light years may have a 

habitable planet in its orbit. 

Secretary Clough noted the ability of the Smithsonian to support both life science 

research and astrophysical studies. Dr. Córdova added that the search for and 

identification of life elsewhere in the universe is “truly an interdisciplinary question.” 

DISSEMINATING SMITHSONIAN RESEARCH

Overview Director of Communications and External Affairs Evelyn Lieberman briefed the 

Regents on the many ways her office and the units’ public affairs departments 

effectively disseminate Smithsonian research to the general public and targeted 

audiences. 

The Smithsonian’s top-tier research, museums, programs, and communications, said 

Mrs. Lieberman, are integrally linked. Exhibitions, public programs, scholarship, and 

educational materials are the primary vehicles for disseminating Smithsonian 

scholarship. The Smithsonian’s communications teams spread these messages 

further, working to increase the number of audiences who receive it and make the 

biggest possible impact. This responsibility is shared by the central Office of 

Communications and External Affairs and the public affairs staff of individual units. 

Platforms include digital media (websites and social media accounts); earned media 

(news releases, media outreach, and press conferences); owned media (Smithsonian 

Channel, Smithsonian magazine, and www.smithsonian.com); and congressional 

outreach. 

Communications are not static, said Mrs. Lieberman, and so the Smithsonian 

continuously updates and shifts its tactics to reach out to and engage new audiences. 

Central communications staff develop and implement pan-institutional 

communications strategies to highlight stories that showcase the strengths of the 

Smithsonian brand. The public affairs staff of the Smithsonian’s museums, research 

centers, and public programs promote unit-specific content to drive key unit 

objectives, including visitation, awareness, and support. 

Promoting Smithsonian 

Research Through Digital 

Platforms

Although smithsonian.org (www.si.edu) is often used by people planning visits to the 

Smithsonian, the website takes advantage of these web visits to promote the 

Smithsonian’s research. Mrs. Lieberman noted that the homepage banner and 

navigation bar both emphasize and direct visitors to Smithsonian science and 

research. Other digital platforms that disseminate Smithsonian scholarship include 

seriouslyamazing.com; social media accounts; a Smithsonian YouTube channel; 

mobile apps; and an online newsroom. As previously noted by the Secretary, the 
18

American Association of School Libraries (AASL) recognized seriouslyamazing.com as 

one of the best websites for teaching and learning. AASL, she said, will promote the 

site to school libraries and educators throughout the year. Mrs. Lieberman also noted 

that a new wave of brand marketing will launch in fall 2013 using digital, mobile, and 

social media advertising to promote the Smithsonian’s research and other offerings. 

The Smithsonian’s target audiences, and in particular the “Millennials,” are especially 

active in social media and drawn to visuals. The Smithsonian uses about 15 social 

media platforms to reach these audiences; it also has over 500 social media accounts 

and 300 blogs for sharing the Smithsonian’s research. Videos bring research to life, 

and the Smithsonian’s YouTube channel promotes behind-the-scenes views of 

Smithsonian researchers at work in the lab and in the field. Mrs. Lieberman noted 

that support from Regent Emeritus Alan Spoon has advanced the production of these 

videos. The new augmented reality feature of the Smithsonian’s mobile app supports 

virtual museum tours that engage viewers’ curiosity and provide information about 

the research that underpins museum exhibits. 

The online newsroom also encourages new discoveries by traditional media users, 

researchers, and bloggers. Breaking news, such as earthquakes, meteorites, volcanic 

eruptions, or oil spills, provide opportunities to draw attention to the Smithsonian’s 

expertise. Mrs. Lieberman noted that four Smithsonian researchers were part of the 

news coverage regarding the recent meteor strike in Russia. In addition to press 

conferences about breaking news, the Smithsonian invites journalists to quarterly 

behind-the-scenes media briefings. In addition, stories are pitched to individual 

journalists known to possess a particular interest. The addition of a bilingual public 

affairs officer already has enabled the Smithsonian to reach new audiences.

Promoting Smithsonian 

Research through 

Traditional Platforms

The Smithsonian also starts or joins in on “conversations” of global importance. To 

emphasize the Smithsonian’s relevance, public affairs staff will promote two 

themes—innovation and global change—in the coming year. These themes 

emphasize the Smithsonian’s relevance.

In addition to “earned” media, the Smithsonian uses “owned” media to broaden 

access to its research. The Smithsonian Channel, Smithsonian magazine, and 

smithsonian.com play important roles in disseminating research. The Office of 

External Affairs and Communications is increasing its collaborations with SE to better 

utilize their talents and reach. 

The Office of Government Relations also promotes Smithsonian research and new 

discoveries. Congressional newsletters and updates on Smithsonian science are sent 

to targeted members of Congress and their staff; behind-the-scenes tours and offers 

of expertise also are extended to the Congress.

Measuring Success A variety of methods are used to measure the progress of disseminating Smithsonian 

research. Website usage is tracked to learn from which devices, browsers and 

locations users originate; social media offerings also are monitored and modified 

through a variety of tools. A monitoring service tracks the depth and reach of the 

Smithsonian’s regular coverage, such as in media mentions and clips.
19

Mrs. Lieberman reminded the Board that market research conducted prior to the 

launch of the branding campaign revealed that the Smithsonian’s research capabilities 

were not widely known. After the launch of the branding campaign, surveys showed 

a slight increase in people’s awareness, understanding, and interest in the 

Smithsonian. Studies also showed that presenting the information in fun and 

surprising ways enhances viewers’ engagement. A market research firm, she said, is 

being hired to track brand awareness on a semi-annual basis. The information from 

these surveys will help the Smithsonian continue to learn about how it is perceived 

and what communications strategies are working.

Discussion Ms. Stonesifer praised Dr. Pell and Mrs. Lieberman’s contributions to efforts to assess, 

improve, and share Smithsonian research. Mrs. Lieberman noted that the homepage 

banner and navigation bar both emphasize and direct visitors to Smithsonian science 

and research. Noting that smithsonian.com is the primary portal through which 

viewers access individual unit websites, Senator Leahy commented on the importance 

of updating those websites. He also noted the fundraising potential of websites.

The Secretary noted that more people visit wikipedia.com, not smithsonian.com, to 

learn about the Smithsonian. A “wikipedian-in-residence,” he said, is helping staff 

learn about and manage what people are learning about the Smithsonian. 

Ms. Fisher asked about opportunities to leverage efforts throughout the Institution in 

order to achieve greater impact. One example of a well-leveraged opportunity, said 

Mrs. Lieberman, was a recent effort to brand the Smithsonian’s multifaceted 

conservation biology initiatives. At least four science units collaborated on the effort, 

which attracted the attention of SE President Chris Liedel, who offered to provide 

support for the initiative. Mr. Spoon noted that such centers of excellence can 

enhance fundraising opportunities. 

In closing, Mrs. Lieberman noted that the Smithsonian has more than 3 million social 

media followers and almost 40 million views of its YouTube videos. In addition, the 

Smithsonian’s 500 websites and blogs have received more than 100 million unique 

visitors this fiscal year. This number, she said, is on track to be a 33 percent increase 

over fiscal year 2012 visits. 

STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS: EDUCATION AND ACCESS

Overview Assistant Secretary for Education and Access Claudine Brown provided a progress 

report on major education and access initiatives. She first introduced Smithsonian 

Center for Learning and Digital Access (SCLDA) Director Stephanie Norby, who 

manages Smithsonian-wide museum educational programs for teachers and museum 

professionals; Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Educational Technology 

Specialist Margaret Chmiel, who is responsible for the SSEC digital strategy; National 

Zoological Park (NZP) Research Scientist Peter Marra, who launched the citizen 

science initiative “Neighborhood Nestwatch”; and Office of the Assistant Secretary for 

Education and Access Senior Technology Manager Peter Haydock, who developed the 

MySI platform.
20

Ms. Brown began her presentation by posing two questions. The first question was 

“What would it require for each American student to have the tools, resources, and 

experiences to help him or her become an actively engaged citizen of their 

community, the United States, and the world?” The second was “How can we create 

a culture of learning where we excite, engage, and exchange information so that we 

are continuously learning together?” 

The Smithsonian has a long history in hands-on education, she said, and is prepared 

to be a serious participant in the world of active engagement learning experiences. 

This engagement takes place in museum galleries, online, and in a variety of digital 

formats. Active engagement, said Ms. Brown, connects learners to real-world 

experiences, imparts problem-solving tools, promotes collaboration, and links 

information to personal interests and experiences, encouraging individuals to engage 

in responsible actions.

Three Pan-Institutional 

Initiatives

Ms. Brown reminded the Board that it previously approved two pan-institutional 

initiatives: “Our American Journeys” (previously known as “Americans All”), which 

considers the American experience of immigration and migration, and “Waterways,” 

which explores the role rivers and streams play in urban life; it also reviewed the MySI 

platform for delivering educational content. Ms. Brown explained that she and her 

colleagues would examine the Smithsonian’s progress in cultivating active 

participatory learning through the lens of the two initiatives, a third called “Creativity 

and Innovation,” and the MySI platform. She noted that the MySI platform organizes 

pan-institutional content, creates and highlights opportunities for active learning, 

provides for the collection of metrics, and allows the Smithsonian to learn from its 

audiences so that it can continue to refine its offerings.

“Our American Journeys” was first discussed. The initiative is based on the theory 

that everyone in this country arrived through one of three ways: forced migration, 

voluntary migration, or through the incorporation of the land on which they live. 

Each group, she said, seeks a new or better way of life, has contributed to American 

society, and affirms our common history. Ms. Brown presented three MySI websites 

that support the “Our American Journeys” initiative: “Preparing for the Oath,” which 

prepares potential citizens and students by linking the citizenship exam questions to 

Smithsonian content; “Driving through Time,” an online, time-travelling game that 

contextualizes journeys through America; and “Agricultural Innovation and Heritage,” 

an online, collaborative repository that supports the collection and preservation of 

the history of modern agriculture through personal stories.

“Creativity and Innovation” is a key focus for three Smithsonian museums. CooperHewitt, National Design Museum (CHNDM) is a leader in the area of design thinking, 

NMAH’s Lemelson Center advances invention and innovation, and the NASM helps 

the public know about the many air and space industry–based innovations that 

consumers enjoy. Ms. Brown presented “Ready, Set, Design!,” CHNDM’s adaptable 

design challenge that supports collaborative and creative thinking. The Regents then 

viewed NASM’s interactive website “How Do Things Fly?,” which Ms. Brown said 

provides an effective template for supporting museum exhibitions and educating 

people who cannot physically visit the Smithsonian. The Lemelson Center, she said, 
21

has twice partnered with ePals on “Invent It!,” an invention competition that 

challenges students to create, invent, and then promote their ideas.

“Waterways,” said Ms. Brown, is another Smithsonian initiative that has research and 

programmatic content from across the Smithsonian. CHNDM’s exhibition Design for 

the Other 90% sparked a number of initiatives, including the game “Get H20,” which 

challenges students virtually, to find and sustain water in slums across the world. Ms. 

Brown also reported that the Smithsonian has been partnering with a number of 

Federal agencies that have a lot of data that is difficult for teachers to access and use. 

She cited a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency to refine a mobile 

app that provides data on water quality in waterways across the country, as well as 

information about ways to become a better steward of these environments.

Exemplars Ms. Norby discussed SCLDA’s efforts to create ways for the public to interact with 

Smithsonian experts and collections. Since 2007, SCLDA has hosted a number of 

online conferences that engage participants with Smithsonian researchers and 

encourage activities designed to make a positive difference. Between 2011 and 2012, 

for example, representatives from multiple Smithsonian units participated in online 

conferences about why water matters. Such sessions, said Ms. Norby, are evaluated 

through online surveys and focus groups. Through these surveys, she said, educators 

made clear that they wanted more information about what students can do about a 

particular issue. In response, SCLDA developed “Smithsonian Quests,” whereby 

digital badges can be earned by completing specific challenges. The digital badging 

program is now available in all 50 states and in 53 countries.

Ms. Chmiel discussed SSEC’s work with national and international schools and school 

districts to support systemic, sustainable change in science education. Most K–12 

teachers, she said, do not have sufficient training to support inquiry-based science. 

The SSEC, she said, has promoted learning through active engagement for the past 30 

years. She cited week-long teacher-training sessions that have reached about 9,000 

teachers and stakeholders in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas. A 

MySI-powered website was recently launched that allows SSEC to disseminate 

information on a wider, user-friendly platform. The site has a translation tool, is 

mobile-friendly, and connects teachers to the Smithsonian’s STEM resources and 

STEM education news. Traffic on the SSEC website, noted Ms. Chmiel, increased 400 

percent over 30 days with the new MySI-powered tools. Next steps include the 

creation of a digital library that supports the active engagement of students and 

teachers after school.

Dr. Marra discussed research conducted by NZP and the Smithsonian Conservation 

Biology Institute’s Migratory Bird Center. Over 50 percent of the nation’s landscape, 

he said, has become human-dominated, and the frontier of migratory bird studies lies 

in urban areas where people and nature interact on a day-to-day basis. Because this 

interaction offers the opportunity to engage people in citizen science, Dr. Marra 

decided to create “Neighborhood Nestwatch.” The program examines the impact of 

urbanization on wildlife populations and teaches the public about the importance of 

science and the impact of urbanization. The program sends Smithsonian scientists to 

neighborhood backyards, bands birds, and teaches residents how to monitor their 
22

behavior. Because many birds migrate great distances, the program provides links 

between diverse neighborhoods in, for example, Washington, D.C., and Belize. The 

success of the program is reflected in a 90 percent increase in participants’ scientific 

literacy, and 56 program participants made environmental improvements to support 

the birds’ habitats. The citizen scientists also provide excellent data. The program’s 

next steps include the launch of school “Urban Nestwatch” programs designed to 

capture the attention of students and cultivate the next generation of citizen 

scientists.

Ms. Brown emphasized that the goal of Smithsonian education is to support active 

engagement. Smithsonian education initiatives are designed to inspire learning and 

encourage meaningful activity, as well as support the submission of data by 

participants. “Our American Journeys,” she said, encourages people to become active 

citizens; “Waterways” asks people to be effective stewards of the planet; and 

“Creativity and Innovation” offers problem-solving methodologies. Smithsonian 

education, said Ms. Brown, aspires to empower young people by teaching them skills 

that they can apply to other areas of their lives.

Discussion Mr. Spoon said that making the Smithsonian’s educational resources available to 

other educational platforms would effectively express and support the Institution’s 

mission, as well as expand its exposure. With regard to “Urban Nestwatch,” he 

encouraged the cultivation of corporate support to help create and support networks 

of young citizen scientists. 

STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS: THE SMITHSONIAN’S DIGITAL ENTERPRISE

Overview The development of the Smithsonian’s digital enterprise, said Secretary Clough, has 

been a key priority since he began his tenure. He reported that the Smithsonian has 

experimented with different approaches over the last three to four years, and it has 

achieved some notable successes. 

The Secretary cited key dates over the past year in the Smithsonian’s “digital 

discussion.” An update on digital initiatives was provided to the Board at its October 

2012 meeting. During the Secretary’s retreat with all directors that same month, 

participants agreed that greater coordination and focus were needed for the 

Smithsonian to achieve more significant impact and global recognition in the use of 

digital technology. In December 2012, an internal executive committee was created 

to improve coordination of digital activities; an external advisory group also was 

established. Another update was provided to the Board at its January 2013 meeting. 

The external advisors then visited in February 2013, and the Strategic Planning and 

Programs Committee discussed the initiative during its May 2013 meeting. The 

Secretary noted that, in addition to this update to the Board, he would discuss digital 

matters at the July 2013 directors’ retreat and then as part of the Board’s October 

2013 strategic plan discussion.

The purpose of this presentation, said the Secretary, would be to review the actions 

taken to date and to present a forward-looking roadmap that will support the 
23

development of a digital Smithsonian. Actions taken thus far include assessing the 

digital landscape, which is constantly evolving; establishing priorities; evaluating 

progress; and identifying initiatives. He noted that he was writing an e-book as a 

result of efforts to analyze the digital landscape. The Best of Both Worlds: Museums, 

Libraries, and Archives in a Digital Age, to be published by the Smithsonian in July 

2013, will include reviews of current Smithsonian digital initiatives and interviews 

with outside museums, libraries, and archives about their digital activities.

Secretary Clough outlined priorities that were established to support the framework 

for a digital Smithsonian: 

 enhancing the in-person visitor experience

 digitizing the collections

 making digital content easy to find and use

 accelerating content delivery through partnerships and collaborations

 sparking engagement and participation 

The Secretary said his discussion of priorities would include Smithsonian exemplars, 

emerging capabilities, challenges, and initiatives.

Enhancing the In-Person 

Visitor Experience

To enhance in-person experiences using digital technology, museums can incorporate 

new technology into the design of new facilities, add it to older buildings, apply it to 

exhibitions, and implement experience-changing technologies. The Secretary noted 

the challenge of incorporating new technology into older facilities and cited the 

CHNDM renovation, the launch of NMNH’s Q?rius lab, and the planned application of 

digital technology in the Arts and Industries Building as successful examples of 

retrofitting older facilities. NMAAHC, he said, reflects the opportunities presented 

when planning for digital technology in the design and construction of a new building. 

Mobile technology and new exhibitions also present opportunities for effective digital 

engagement before, during, and after visits to museums and exhibitions. The 

Secretary cited three successful mobile apps: the NMAI’s Infinity of Nations app, the 

SI Tour app, and the Smithsonian app. He also commented on the SAAM exhibition 

The Art of Video Games and presented a video clip of an augmented reality 

technology “Appshaker” that Smithsonian Enterprises has identified.

The Secretary cited the age of many Smithsonian facilities and the volume of visitors 

as challenges to the Institution’s ability to take full advantage of technologies that 

might enhance the visitor experience. In addition, he noted the unevenness in units’ 

approaches to shaping the visitor experience. Going forward, said the Secretary, WiFi 

and positioning technology must be fully implemented in each museum; all new 

construction and renovation projects must incorporate digital technology from the 

ground up; digital experiences (before, during, and after the visit) must be 

incorporated into exhibition planning; and experience-changing technologies must be 

assessed for possible application across multiple museums.

Digitizing the Collections The Secretary stressed that digitizing the Smithsonian’s collections is the foundation 

of the Institution’s digital future. He noted the significant challenges the Smithsonian

faces in this area because of the quantity, size, and variability of the national 

collections. He highlighted the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) as an exemplar 
24

digitization project. Fifteen partner organizations have digitized their biodiversity 

literature. Over 113,700 volumes of illustrated biodiversity literature, including such 

seminal pieces as Darwin’s field books, have been digitized and loaded onto the BHL 

website. The Smithsonian, said the Secretary, is a leader in 3D digitization efforts, and 

he cited the forthcoming Smithsonian Charter Collection as another exemplar. The 

Smithsonian Charter Collection, which will launch in fall 2013, will provide 

unparalleled access to iconic objects in the national collections. The technology will 

support the Smithsonian’s educational programs, among other things, by producing 

3D image files that can be used to replicate objects that in turn can be studied outside 

of the museums. 

The Secretary went on to highlight units’ impressive pursuit of alternative funding 

sources for digitization. Examples include Smithsonian Folkways Recordings’ revenuegenerating sale of 3,000 digitized albums and 45,000 tracks in its collections; Cengage 

Gale’s digitization of Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines; and the Archives of 

American Art’s securing of more than $6 million from the Terra Foundation for the 

digitization of letter and papers of important artists. 

Getting donor support, emphasized the Secretary, is critical to the successful 

digitization of the national collections. He said that the Smithsonian is working to 

“package” collections creatively to attract donor support. Also important to the 

success of the initiative is the application of emerging automated capabilities, such as 

robotics. 

The primary challenge to digitization of the collections is time. Based on current work 

flows, it could take 37 years to create digital surrogates of priority items in the 

collections, and 56 years to complete digital records of the entire collections. In 

addition, there is not sufficient network capacity to handle the increased demands of 

such a large-scale digitization effort. 

Looking forward, the Secretary said prioritization of effort is key, and the 

requirements and opportunities presented by particular collections must be 

considered. Additional support through partnerships and volunteers must be 

cultivated, and innovative solutions to scale digitization efforts will be explored. 

Finally, he said, the core Smithsonian network must be significantly upgraded to 

support collections digitization and the other functions of the “Digital SI.” 

Making Digital Content 

Easy to Find and Use

and 

Accelerating Content 

Delivery through 

Partnerships and 

Collaborations

Making digital content easy to find and use is another key priority. The Secretary 

cited the NMAfA and CHNDM’s websites and the NPG’s Presidents App as exemplars 

of accessible, functional digital initiatives. Partnerships and collaborations, he said, 

also are critical to advancing digital initiatives. Productive partnerships were cited, 

including EOL, the Biodiversity Heritage Library, and the linked open data (LOD) 

initiative of the American Art Collaborative, of which SAAM is a leading member, with 

support from the University of Southern California. 

Key challenges to ensuring that Smithsonian digital content is easy to find and use 

include the lack of consistency in unit approaches, the needs of different audiences, 

and the limited capabilities of the central “Collections Search Center.” The 
25

Smithsonian, said the Secretary, must upgrade its main search portal, as well as the 

search engines of each unit. Unit approaches must be harmonized, and all units must 

contribute to the main system. The search capabilities of different Smithsonian 

offerings must be assessed and industry expertise must be solicited.

Sparking Engagement 

and Participation

Sparking engagement and participation was one more priority highlighted by the 

Secretary. Successful exemplars include SAO’s website, Smithsonian.com, and the 

LeafSnap and Meanderthal apps. Websites can be passive, said the Secretary, and he 

noted that SE has done an excellent job of driving traffic to its website. The 

Smithsonian has an abundance of social media, crowdsourcing, and interactive tools. 

The Secretary cited the global use of SAO’s digital telescope site, Tweets of NZP’s 

panda insemination, and the arrival of the space shuttle Discovery as successful 

examples of the Smithsonian’s ability to spark engagement and participation. 

Emerging capabilities include MySI tools, reaching new education audiences through 

Internet2, and an increased focus on managing the Smithsonian’s Wikipedia presence. 

Challenges to these efforts include balancing innovation and experimentation with 

the need for both coherence and economy; understanding the needs and desires of 

diverse audiences; defining the Smithsonian’s role in the world of massive open 

online courses, or MOOCs; and providing the public with clear directions on the ways 

it can participate in the Smithsonian’s work. 

The Secretary identified initiatives being undertaken to address these challenges,

including managing the Smithsonian’s digital brand; expanding and coordinating 

efforts to better understand audiences; pursuing MOOC opportunities that align with 

Smithsonian capabilities; and building a pan-institutional crowdsourcing platform that 

can enlist digital volunteers. The Secretary presented an image of the Smithsonian’s 

first digital volunteer center website, noting that thousands of digital volunteers will 

be needed to help digitize collections; support research; identify, translate, and tag

materials; and share knowledge.

Next Steps Going forward, the Smithsonian must have a structure to successfully implement key 

digital initiatives. Project “owners” must be designated; specific funding, staffing, 

technology, partnership, and metric requirements must be outlined; the Presidential 

Innovation Fellows must be assigned to specific projects; and a digital innovation and 

services hub (“The DISH”) must be created. A robust approach to digital fundraising 

also must be developed.

The Secretary said that he would report on the plan’s next steps at the October 2013 

Board meeting. Dr. Córdova commended the Secretary on his report, as well as the ebook, and the Board concurred with a round of applause. 

Discussion Mr. Sant asked how the Smithsonian prioritizes which objects to digitize. The 

Secretary responded that, because the Smithsonian’s audiences are broad in scope 

and interest, digitization supports different needs. He added that digitization helps 

inventory the collections, as well as protect them by reducing the handling of objects.

Dr. Jackson expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, and especially her interest in 

augmented reality applications. She asked if there is a digitization strategic plan that 
26

overlays the Smithsonian’s strategic plan, and in particular its educational initiatives. 

An especially important question, she said, is if the Smithsonian has identified which 

audiences it wants to reach using digital technology, and how it wants to do so. These 

questions, she said, present opportunities to “narrate the efficiency” of digitization. 

She emphasized that reaching young audiences is a key priority, but noted that some 

80 percent of students lack broadband access, and that the costs of certain 

technologies and subscription programming are beyond their means. Digitization, 

said Dr. Jackson, is a powerful platform but accessibility issues must be addressed to 

realize its potential. She added that MOOCs currently face a degree of criticism, as 

well as demand a financial investment.

The Secretary responded that the digital world is evolving so rapidly that the original 

strategic plan for the Smithsonian’s digital enterprise is already out of date in some 

respects. With regard to access, he said that the Smithsonian is looking at different 

levels of access. Although individuals are the primary focus of the digital initiative, 

school districts may be the first target group in digital education efforts. Enthusiasts, 

he added, are a key target, and it is hoped that some enthusiasts will in turn volunteer 

their time to help advance the initiative. 

Dr. Jackson added that the use of scalable packaged online courses, or SPOCs, could 

be explored. The Secretary noted that several universities have contacted the 

Smithsonian regarding the development of online courses. The Smithsonian, he said, 

is carefully exploring such options.

Mr. Spoon commented on the rapid development of online education opportunities. 

It is important, he said, that the Smithsonian participate in these new avenues for 

learning and relating. He added that the Smithsonian’s educational programming is of 

a larger scale than any of its peer organizations. 

Ms. Stonesifer commented on the quantity and quality of the Smithsonian’s current 

digital initiatives, but said that she found the offerings difficult to navigate. The 

Smithsonian, she said, must invest in digital “wayfinding” or little benefit will result 

from these efforts. Secretary Clough agreed that the visibility and accessibility of the 

Smithsonian’s websites must be rethought. The amount of information held by the 

Smithsonian, he said, is overwhelming. The Presidential Innovation Fellows recently 

assigned to the Smithsonian, he said, will specifically consider this issue.

Mr. Kogod suggested that, in order to thoughtfully develop the digital initiative, the 

Smithsonian might consider slowing down the pace of its efforts. The Secretary 

responded that there is in fact a “race” in this arena, and said that the Smithsonian 

must accelerate its efforts. Dr. Córdova asked who has oversight of the digital 

initiative. Secretary Clough said that Ms. Abrams, among her other responsibilities, 

currently oversees the key digital initiatives. At some point, he said, a full-time 

professional may be hired to manage the Smithsonian’s digital enterprise.

Mr. Spoon said that the Smithsonian’s education and outreach efforts would benefit 

from Dr. Jackson’s advice regarding articulating an overarching strategic description 

that identifies targeted audiences and outcomes, and the metrics by which to 

measure efforts. He also commented that many websites can be derived from, and 
27

efficiently run by, a common architecture. Ms. Stonesifer said that the Smithsonian 

must determine the areas where it wants to offer “boutique” versus “supermarket” 

content. The Secretary said the Smithsonian is planning some industry days for the 

digital initiative. Mr. Spoon added that the “DISH” concept will provide powerful 

organizational support. 

The Board then adjourned for an executive session at 3:20 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

During the executive session, Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Roger 

Sant updated the Board on the search process for two new Citizen Regents.

ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Córdova thanked the Regents for their participation. The executive session 

adjourned at about 3:30 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

G. Wayne Clough

Secretary
APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

JUNE 24, 2013, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the April 29, 2013, meeting of the 

Board of Regents. [2013.06.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Thomas W. Haas Foundation 

to the National Air and Space Museum and names the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public 

Observatory in perpetuity. [2013.06.04]

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. to the 

National Museum of American History and names the SC Johnson Conference Center for 20 

years. [2013.06.05]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Ann B. Friedman and reappoints Edgar M. Cullman 

Jr. and Robert MacDonald to the Smithsonian National Board for three-year terms effective 

October 1, 2013. [2013.06.06]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Helen I. Jessup to the Board of Trustees of the 

Archives of American Art for a three-year term effective immediately and reappoints Judith 

Jones, Gilbert H. Kinney, Nicholas Lowry, and Ellen Phelan for three-year terms effective 

September 21, 2013. [2013.06.07]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Eric A. Green, Richard Meier, and David Rockwell 

to the Board of Trustees of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum for three-year terms 

effective immediately. [2013.06.08]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Maureen Kim to the Commission of the Smithsonian 

American Art Museum for a four-year term effective immediately and reappoints Judah Best,

Dorothy Tapper Goldman, and Michael I. Wilkins for four-year terms effective July 1, 2013. 

[2013.06.09]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of the 

Smithsonian National Board. [2013.06.10]