____________________________

1 The Chancellor, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., participated in the afternoon session.

2 Mr. Spoon participated in the morning session. 

3 Ms. Henson participated in the luncheon presentation. 

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 19, 2015, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution (“Smithsonian”) was held 

on Monday, October 19, 2015. The Board conducted morning, afternoon, and executive sessions in the 

Regents’ Room in the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. Board Chair John W. McCarter, Jr., called 

the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Also present were:

The Chief Justice1

Barbara M. Barrett

Representative Xavier Becerra

Senator John Boozman

Steve Case

Representative Tom Cole

John Fahey

Shirley Ann Jackson

Representative Sam Johnson

Robert P. Kogod 

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

Michael Lynton

David M. Rubenstein

Robert MacDonald, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Alan Spoon, Advancement Committee Chair2

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Senator David Perdue, and David Silfen were unable to attend the 

meeting. 

Also present were: 

David J. Skorton, Secretary

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance and 

 Administration and Chief Financial Officer 

Greg Bettwy, Acting Chief of Staff to the Secretary 

Claudine Brown, Assistant Secretary for Education 

 and Access

Amy Chen, Chief Investment Officer

Epin Christensen, Counsel to the Inspector General

Virginia B. Clark, Director of Advancement and 

 Philanthropic Giving

Jennifer Ehlinger, Senior Researcher & Writer for 

 the Office of the Regents (recorder)

Amanda Hamilton, Assistant to Representative 

 Johnson

Tony-Marie Higgins, Assistant to Senator Boozman

Pamela Henson, Director of the Institutional 

 History Division of the Smithsonian Institution 

 Archives3

John Kress, Interim Under Secretary for Science

Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art,

 and Culture 

John K. Lapiana, Acting Under Secretary for 

 Finance and Administration/Chief Financial 

 Officer

Judith Leonard, General Counsel 

Christopher Liedel, President of Smithsonian 

 Enterprises

Grisella Martinez, Assistant to Congressman 

 Becerra

Kevin McDonald, Senior Advisor to Senator Leahy

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

Sean Murphy, Assistant to Representative Cole

Rachel Parker, Deputy Chief of Staff to the 

 Regents

Nell Payne, Director of Government Relations 

Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the Regents
2

MORNING SESSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

BOARD LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS FROM THE

SECRETARY

The meeting of the Board of Regents (“Board”) began with an executive session. 

Board Leadership Elections The Board reviewed the Governance and Nominating Committee’s 

recommendation to reappoint Board Chair John McCarter, Vice Chair Shirley Ann 

Jackson, and Executive Committee member David Rubenstein to serve as the 2016

Board leadership team. Mr. McCarter, Dr. Jackson, and Mr. Rubenstein recused 

themselves from the discussion. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the 

reelections were approved en banc.

Observations from the 

Secretary

See attached Actions 2015.10.01–2015.10.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

Secretary David Skorton shared some of his preliminary observations on the state 

of the Smithsonian and outlined his plans for the future. Upon motion duly made 

and seconded, the Board approved the Secretary’s proposed plans for

restructuring the Smithsonian’s management organization. 

See attached Actions 2015.10.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

The executive session was adjourned at 9:46 a.m.

OPEN SESSION:

The meeting reconvened at and Smithsonian and Regent staff members entered 

the room. Board Chair John W. McCarter. Jr. called the open session to order at

9:49 a.m. 

Introduction of SNB Chair 

Robert MacDonald

Important Upcoming Dates

REPORT OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Mr. McCarter welcomed Smithsonian National Board (“SNB”) Chair Robert 

MacDonald to his first Board meeting. Smithsonian and Regent staff went around 

the room and introduced themselves to Mr. MacDonald, who began his term as 

SNB Chair on October 1, 2015. Mr. McCarter noted that due to Secretary Skorton’s 

Installation Ceremony, which will take place immediately following the Board 

meeting, the Regents’ Annual Public Forum is scheduled to be held on Friday, 

December 11, 2015. Mr. McCarter reminded the Board that this meeting would be 

the first to incorporate the procedural modifications, which were adopted at the 

June meeting, including the use of a consent agenda and shortened Committee 

Chair reports. 
3

Regents’ Self-Assessment

The Board discussed changes to the Regents’ annual self-assessment, to make the 

assessment a more effective evaluation tool. Mr. McCarter stressed the 

importance of the self-assessment and encouraged participation from the entire 

Board.

Actions Between Meetings

Mr. McCarter reported that, on behalf of the Board, the Executive Committee 

approved two actions between the June and October meetings. The first was the 

approval of a gift from David Rubenstein to the Giant Panda Habitat, a vote which 

Mr. Rubenstein was recused from participation. Mr. McCarter noted and 

applauded Mr. Rubenstein’s generosity and steadfast commitment to the 

Smithsonian. The second action was the approval of the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 

2017 federal Budget request for submission to the Office of Management and 

Budget (“OMB”). 

Approval of the

Consent Agenda

Monthly Update Report to 

the Regents

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Mr. McCarter briefly reviewed the procedures of the Board’s use of the consent 

agenda: an item will remain on the Consent Agenda (“Agenda”) only by unanimous 

consent, and any Regent may ask the Office of the Regents to remove an item from 

the consent agenda for discussion by providing three-days’ notice in advance of the 

scheduled Board meeting. Action items listed on the present meeting’s Agenda 

include minutes of the June 15, 2015, Regents’ meeting, routine amendments to 

the bylaws of the Archives of American Art Board of Trustees, the appointment and 

reappointment of candidates to ten Smithsonian Advisory Boards, and the approval 

of five proposed gift actions – all of which comply with Smithsonian policies. Since 

one of the gifts actions included on the Agenda was a gift from Regent David 

Rubenstein, he was recused from participation in the vote. Upon motion duly 

made and seconded, the Board voted to adopt the Agenda, constituting the 

approval of all action items listed therein. 

See attached Actions 2015.10.05 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Secretary David J. Skorton presented his inaugural report as the thirteenth 

Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. The Secretary began his term in office on 

July 1, 2015. He reported on his activities during his first few months in office and 

entertained questions from the Board. He also proposed the roll-out of a monthly 

report as a way for him to keep the Board informed of his and management’s 

activities in-between meetings. The Secretary explained that the report would 

serve as an information tool to the Board, so that time during quarterly meetings 

may be spent to address issues rather than merely bringing the Board up to speed. 

The Board was very receptive to the idea and the Secretary announced that his first 

report should be expected in the near future. 
4

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Fiscal Year 2017 Federal 

Budget Request to OMB

Fiscal Year 2015 Financial 

Results

Fiscal Year 2016 

Consolidated Budget

Committee Chair David Rubenstein presented the report of the Finance 

Committee. The Board reviewed the fiscal year 2017 federal budget request 

which was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) and 

the September 2015 budget submission, which was approved by the Executive 

Committee, on behalf of the full Board. Per guidance from OMB, three 

scenario-based budget requests were submitted. 

The financial results for fiscal year 2015, as of June 30, 2015, were also 

presented. The Smithsonian’s net operating revenue totaled $459.6 million, 

including $153.2 million from Contributions; $57.6 million from Government 

Grants and Contracts; $17.4 million from Indirect Cost Recovery from fees 

collected from grants and contracts; $42.7 million from the Endowment 

Payout; and, $131.8 million from Business Activities. 

The fiscal year 2016 Federal and Trust Consolidated Budget was presented. 

Upon duly made and seconded, the Board voted to approve the fiscal year 

2016, Federal Consolidated Budget, when signed into law by the President. 

See attached Actions 2015.10.06 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix 

A).

REPORT OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Endowment Update

Appreciation for David 

Silfen

Investment Committee member David Rubenstein presented the Committee’s 

report and updated the Board on the status of the endowment. As of June 30, 

2015, the Endowment stood at $1.3 billion. The endowment is on-track to 

outperform its policy benchmark. 

John McCarter acknowledged the excellence and dedication of Committee 

Chair David Silfen, who was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. McCarter 

extended his sincere gratitude, on behalf of the Board, for Mr. Silfen’s 

outstanding work with the endowment. 

Emeritus/Alumni Category 

Guidance for Unit Advisory 

Boards

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Steve Case presented the report of 

the Committee. The Board was presented with proposed guidance for emeritus 

and alumni status for unit advisory board members. Upon duly made and 

seconded, the Board voted to approve the emeritus/alumni guidance for unit 

advisory boards.

See attached Actions 2015.10.07 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix 

A).
5

Bylaw Amendments

Campaign Update

Fundraising for NMAAHC

Next, the Board considered the proposed amendments to the Advisory Board of 

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (“SITES”), which were reviewed 

by the Governance and Nominating Committee during its meeting on September 

15, 2015. The proposed amendments reflect changes in the board’s function, 

members’ code of ethics and guidelines, emeritus status, and term limits for 

members and officers. The bylaws integrate the new post-membership guidance 

by permitting former board members who have made significant contributions to 

continue to be involved in an emeritus capacity. Upon duly made and seconded, 

the Board voted to approve the bylaw amendments. 

See attached Actions 2015.10.08 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix 

A).

REPORT OF THE STRATEGY, INNOVATION, AND TECHNOLOGY 

COMMITTEE

Strategy, Innovation, and Technology Committee Chair Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson 

presented the report of the Committee. Several initiatives are underway at the 

Smithsonian to foster a culture of innovation, including use of crowd sourcing, 

citizen science, digitization and mobile application development. Dr. Jackson also 

reviewed the exhibition calendar and the process Smithsonian undertakes to 

review exhibitions. 

REPORT OF THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Advancement Committee Chair and Regent Emeritus Alan Spoon provided the 

Committee’s report. Mr. Spoon briefed the Board on the status of the Smithsonian 

Campaign (“Campaign”), reporting that the Smithsonian has raised $1.256 billion,

or 85 percent of the $1.5 billion Campaign goal. He also noted several significant 

gifts the Smithsonian has received, including two generous gifts from David 

Rubenstein of $4.5 million to the National Zoo, and a gift of $5.4 million to the 

Renwick Gallery. He expressed the Board’s gratitude to Sako Fisher, for her 

dedication to the Smithsonian and increased commitment to the Campaign. He 

reported that the National Museum African American History and Culture

(“NMAAHC”) raised $203.9 million toward its $270 million goal. NMAAHC is on 

track to reach almost $250 million by end of calendar year and is very to reach its

$270 million goal before the museum’s opening in September 2016. 

REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL BOARD

Robert MacDonald presented his first report as chair of the SNB. Mr. MacDonald 

presented a brief overview of the SNB’s current work and noted that its next 

meeting would focus on the grand challenge of “Understanding and Sustaining a 

Biodiverse Plant”.
6

REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Director of Government Relations Nell Payne presented the report from the Office 

of Government Relations (“OGR”). Ms. Payne explained that Congressional and 

White House engagement has continued with programs such as a summer

enrichment program for students which, this past summer had 60 children in 

attendance who participated in activities including visits to four museums and the 

National Zoo. OGR has written to 157 different congressional offices to provide 

updates on traveling exhibits, which the Smithsonian is sending to their respective 

districts. 

Ms. Payne thanked the congressional Regents for introducing the Smithsonian 

Collections Facilities Authorization Act, which would authorize the Board to plan, 

design, and construct additional storage facilities for collections storage modules 

and hangar additions to the National Air and Space Museum’s (NASM) Udvar-Hazy 

Center in Chantilly, Virginia, and additional storage and laboratory space at the 

Museum Support Center at the Suitland Collections Center in Suitland, Maryland.

FREER AND SACKLER GALLERIES

Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture Richard Kurin announced that the 

Dame Jillian Sackler Director of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery 

of Art (“Freer and Sackler Galleries”) Julian Raby will receive the Order of the Rising 

Sun from the Ambassador of Japan on October 25, 2015. He also noted the 

upcoming exhibit opening at the Freer and Sackler Galleries entitled “Sōtatsu: 

Making Waves”, which will be open from October 24, 2015, through January 31, 

2016. 

LUNCHEON PRESENTATION

Director of the Smithsonian Institution Archives Institutional History Division 

Pamela Henson provided a luncheon presentation on the history of the 

Smithsonian Secretaries.

AFTERNOON SESSION

 

 The meeting reconvened and the Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at 

 12:24 p.m.

 REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

Integrated Risk 

Management and 

Mitigation Program

Committee Chair Ambassador Barbara Barrett presented the report of the 

Audit and Review Committee. Ambassador Barrett explained that a key 

responsibility of the Audit and Review Committee is to review and assess risks 

facing the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian’s Integrated Risk Management and 
7

Mitigation Program (“Program”), which began two years ago, reviews the 

Smithsonian’s initial set of the top 25 institutional risks that were identified 

and subjected to deeper review and assessment. Ambassador Barrett 

explained that Under Secretary for Finance and Administration and Chief 

Financial Officer Albert Horvath and his team are in the process of engaging an 

outside firm to evaluate the Program before it proceeds to the next phase. Mr. 

Horvath updated the Board on the Program and reviewed each of the 25 risk 

areas as they relate to Board oversight responsibilities and how they can be 

divided between the specific Regent Committees. 

The Board was presented with summary materials from the Audit and Review 

Committee meetings, which took place on July 28, 2015, and on September 29, 

2015, respectively. Information regarding the filing of the fiscal year 2014,

Forms 990 and 990-T with the IRS, KPMG’s audit plan for fiscal year 2015, and 

the results of the fiscal 2014 A-133 audit were included for the Board’s review.

NASM Revitalization Project 

Consolidated Administrative 

Headquarters Initiative

REPORT OF FACILITIES COMMITTEE

Facilities Committee Chair Robert P. Kogod presented the report of the Committee 

and led the Board on a discussion of the NASM Revitalization Project. He reported 

that during the Committee’s last few meetings, a major focus has been on the 

complex and extensive revitalization of the 40 year-old museum, which is one of the 

most heavily visited museums in the world. Mr. Kogod detailed the scope and 

funding details of the project. He explained that the renovation would likely take 

place over five years, and would be done in such a way that portions of the museum 

would remain open to the public. The renovation will include the replacement of 

NASM’s exterior envelope and major mechanical systems. The building’s structure 

will also be upgraded and repairs will be made to the underground structure. The 

current estimate for the five-year occupied renovation is more than $500 million. 

This estimate includes all construction costs and the cost of expanding collections 

storage space at Udvar-Hazy to house artifacts during the renovation. Under 

Secretary for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer Albert Horvath 

briefed the Board on specifics for the project and entertained questions from the 

Board. The Board discussed the revitalization and potential sources of funding for 

the project. 

Updates on the Consolidated Administrative Headquarters Initiative (“Initiative”)

were also presented for the Board to consider. The Initiative will address the 

Smithsonian’s need for more administrative space, while also working to consolidate 

these areas to make for better functionality. The Facilities Committee and 

Smithsonian Management have reviewed the list of potential properties and various 

proposals. 

Next steps for the Initiative will include a comprehensive evaluation of each of the 

proposals and preliminary consideration and analysis of the implementation process. 
8

EXECUTIVE SESSION:REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND HUMAN 

RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair John Fahey provided the 

report of the Committee. Upon duly made and seconded, the Board voted to extend 

the contract of former Secretary G. Wayne Clough’s contract. 

See attached Actions 2015.10.09 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

EXECUTIVE SESSION: REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN ENTERPRISES 

SUBCOMMITTEE

Smithsonian Enterprises Subcommittee Chair Michael Lynton led a discussion about 

strategies surrounding the Smithsonian Channel. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: LONDON AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Secretary Skorton briefed the Board on developments of the potential Smithsonian 

presence in London. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPERS” REPORT

The Board conducted an executive session with General Counsel Judith Leonard and

Counsel to the Inspector General Epin Christensen.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 

approximately 2:10 p.m., after which Ms. Wilkinson provided a briefing to the 

Regents and participants of the Installation Ceremony. 

Respectfully submitted,

David J. Skorton

Secretary

 ADDENDUM

 By email ballot on December 9, 2015, the Board of Regents voted to honor 

 the memory of David M. Silfen and recognize his extraordinary service by 

 awarding him with the Regents’ Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, in 

 grateful recognition of his dedication and numerous contributions to the 

 Board of Regents and the Smithsonian Institution. 

 See attached Actions 2015.10.10 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

 Appendix A).
* Included in Consent Agenda

APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

OCTOBER 19, 2015, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents reelects John W. McCarter, Jr., as Chair of the Smithsonian 

Institution’s Board of Regents for a one-year term effective January 26, 2016. [2015.10.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reelects Shirley Ann Jackson as Vice Chair of the Smithsonian 

Institution’s Board of Regents for a one-year term effective January 26, 2016. [2015.10.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reelects David M. Rubenstein as a member of the 

Smithsonian Board of Regents’ Executive Committee for a one-year term effective January 26, 

2016. [2015.10.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Secretary’s proposed restructuring of 

management. [2015.10.04]

VOTED that the Board of Regents adopts the Consent Agenda, which constitutes the approval 

of all items listed on the Consent Agenda. [2015.10.05]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the June 15, 2015, meeting 

of the Board of Regents.*

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of 

the Board of Trustees of the Archives of American Art.*

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed slate of candidates for 

appointment or reappointment to 12 Smithsonian advisory boards.*

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of David M. Rubenstein to 

the Smithsonian American Art Museum and changes the name of the Grand Salon at the 

Renwick Gallery to the Bettie Rubenstein Grand Salon until the next comprehensive 

renovation of the Renwick Gallery.*

VOTED that Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Harold and Diane Brierley to 

the National Zoological Park and names the Hal and Diane Brierley Cheetah Ridge for a 

period of 10 years.*

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Nancy and Clive 

Runnells Foundation to the National Zoological Park and names the Thomas Pierce 

Runnells and Helen Runnells DuBois Observation Deck until the next renovation of the 

observation deck.*

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of General Electric Company 

and accepts the terms of the sponsorship agreement. *
* Approved via email ballot on December 9, 2015

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates a quasi-endowment support the mission of 

the Archives of American Art at the discretion of the Director. Further, the Board 

authorizes the transfer of the funds identified for this purpose.*

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the budget of appropriated funds for fiscal year 

2016, when signed into law by the President, the institutional budget for Trust funds for fiscal 

year 2016, reflected in this report, and authorizes expenditures by the Secretary in accordance 

therewith. Any material changes in program plans incorporated into this budget shall be made 

only with the approval of the Board of Regents or its Executive Committee. [2015.10.06]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves a new policy limiting advisory board postmembership categories to alumni and emeritus status and that the policy is effective 

immediately and applicable to all unit advisory boards on a going forward basis. Alumni status 

may be conferred following the completion of a board member’s final term without any formal 

continuing role and does not require Board of Regents approval. Emeritus status may be 

conferred following completion of a board member’s final term in recognition of exceptional 

service, based on written criteria established by the unit and requires approval by the Board of 

Regents. Notwithstanding this requirement, unit advisory board bylaws need only be revised in 

accordance with this policy upon which time such bylaws are presented to the Regents for 

revision in the normal course of business, and all existing emeritus, honorary, or alumni 

members may maintain their status for the duration of the term prescribed in their unit’s 

bylaws current as of the date of this motion. [2015.10.07]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of the 

Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. [2015.10.08]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Compensation and Human Resources

Committee’s compensation recommendation for the former Secretary. [2015.10.09] 

VOTED* that the Board of Regents honors the memory David M. Silfen and recognizes his 

extraordinary service by awarding him the Regents’ Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, in 

grateful recognition of his dedication and many contributions to the Board of Regents and the 

Smithsonian Institution. [2015.10.10]