Summary Proceedings of the Board of Regents 

January 30, 2006

DESIGNATION OF MANUEL L.IBÁÑEZ AS REGENT EMERITUS

Mr. Sant opened the afternoon meeting of the Board of Regents by recognizing the enormous 

contributions of citizen Regent Dr. Manuel L. Ibáñez, who will conclude his second and final 

term on the Board of Regents in May 2006. The Board then approved the following motion: 

VOTED that the Board of Regents confers the title of Regent Emeritus on 

Manuel L. Ibáñez, effective May 4, 2006, with heartfelt gratitude for the 

outstanding service he has provided to the Smithsonian Institution. 

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Regents’ Executive Committee met on January 19, 2006, and approved the agenda proposed 

for the January 30, 2006, meeting of the Board of Regents. 

REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL BOARD

The Smithsonian National Board (SNB) held its 2005 Fall Meeting and Alumni Reunion on 

October 20–22 in Washington, D.C., and reconvened in Washington on January 26–28, 2006, for 

its Mid-Winter Meeting. On the recommendation of SNB Chair Patricia Frost, and in recognition 

of the generosity of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the SNB Board recommended to the 

Board of Regents that Fred W. Smith, chairman of the Board of the Donald W. Reynolds 

Foundation, representing the Foundation, be inducted into the Order of James Smithson. Under 

Mr. Smith’s direction, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has made a $75 million total 

commitment to the Institution and become the second-largest donor to the Smithsonian since its 

founding. Accordingly, the Regents approved the following motion: 

VOTED that the Board of Regents accepts the recommendation of the Smithsonian 

National Board and approves the induction of Fred W. Smith, chairman of the Board of 

the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, into the Order of James Smithson in grateful 

recognition of the Foundation’s extraordinary generosity to the Smithsonian Institution. 

APPOINTMENTS TO SMITHSONIAN ADVISORY BOARDS

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Warren Adelson, Lynn Dixon Johnston, 

Barbara Mathes, and Barbara Stern Shapiro to the Board of Trustees of the Archives of 

American Art for three-year terms effective February 24, 2006. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Reed Krakoff and Esme Usdan to the 

Board of Trustees of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum for three-year terms 

effective immediately. 
ii

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Randall A. Greene, Randy Jayne, Clayton M. 

Jones, Herbert D. Kelleher, and Marshall O. Larsen to the National Board of the 

National Air and Space Museum for three-year terms effective November 1, 2005. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints James Cash, James Johnson, Ann 

Jordan, Stan O’Neal, Frank Raines, and Tony Welters to the Advisory Council of the 

National Museum of African American History and Culture for three-year terms effective 

October 1, 2005. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Lucille Alderman, John Pemberton III, 

and Shirley Shapiro and reappoints J. Thomas Lewis, Holly W. Ross, and Robert T. Wall 

to the Board of the National Museum of African Art for three-year terms effective 

January 1, 2006. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Audrey Weil to the Board of the 

National Museum of American History, Behring Center, for a three-year term effective 

February 1, 2006. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Emilio Moran, Yolanda Moses, and Shirley 

Sherwood to the Board of the National Museum of Natural History for three-year terms 

effective February 1, 2006. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints John O. Boochever to the Commission of the 

National Portrait Gallery for a four-year term effective immediately. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Lee E. Dirks and John T. Kotelly and 

reappoints William G. Kerr and Ferdinand T. Stent to the Commission of the Smithsonian 

American Art Museum for four-year terms effective January 1, 2006. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints M. Ronald Ruskin and Anthony Welters to 

the Board of Directors of Smithsonian Business Ventures for three-year terms and 

reappoints Gary M. Beer, Sheila Burke, John R. Dailey, and Alice C. Maroni for oneyear terms, all effective October 1, 2005. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Xavier Becerra, Thomas H. Castro, 

Stephen M. Cunningham, John C. Lopez, and Thomás Ybarrra-Frausto to the National 

Board for the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives for three-year terms effective 

February 1, 2006. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Marlin Fitzwater to the Advisory Board 

of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center for a three-year term effective 

January 6, 2006. 

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS OF SMITHSONIAN ADVISORY BOARDS

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed revisions to the Bylaws of the 

Trustees of the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed revisions to the Smithsonian 

American Art Museum Commission Bylaws. 
iii

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed revisions to the Smithsonian 

National Board for Latino Initiatives Bylaws. 

The amendments to the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture 

Garden are to designate past Board members as Honorary or Emeritus Trustees. Revisions to the 

Smithsonian American Art Museum Commission Bylaws are to conform with practices in other 

Smithsonian art museums by eliminating the requirement for the Secretary’s approval of art 

acquisitions, changing authority levels for deaccession and disposal of collections, providing for 

vacancies to be filled by standard four-year terms, and allowing flexibility in the staggering of 

Commission appointments. Changes to the Bylaws of the Smithsonian National Board for Latino 

Initiatives are suggested to reflect the change in the Institution’s organizational structure and to 

redefine the guidelines for Board service to better support the Center’s mission. 

REPORTS OF SELECTED ADVISORY BOARDS

As part of an ongoing effort to facilitate communications between the Smithsonian’s advisory 

boards and its Board of Regents, the Regents reviewed reports from the advisory boards of the 

National Museum of the American Indian, the National Postal Museum’s two advisory boards, 

the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

Committee Chair Roger Sant offered an oral report of the Audit and Review Committee’s 

January 27, 2006, meeting. He reported that the fiscal year 2005 audit, which was prepared by 

KPMG, again was produced on an accelerated schedule. Mr. Sant noted that the audit was very 

favorable, especially in its analysis of the Institution’s disciplined management process, and that 

the Institution’s fund-raising success, return on the endowment, increase in business income, and 

growth in net assets all contributed to the positive review. Moreover, the audit’s Management 

Letter offered no new comments, which Mr. Sant emphasized is remarkable in the audit process, 

and the Institution’s staff, and in particular Chief Financial Officer Alice Maroni, were credited 

with that result. Another achievement discussed in the Management Letter is the fact that the

Smithsonian resolved all of the issues raised in last year’s audit. 

Mr. Sant also noted that the Institution’s financial management processes, which previously had 

received the Federal government’s worst rating, was awarded by the Office of Management and 

Budget the highest possible rating for fiscal year 2005. The improved rating, Mr. Sant said, was 

in all likelihood highly influential in the Office of Management and Budget’s decision to provide 

a last-minute increase of $15 million in the Institution’s fiscal year 2006 allocation. 

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ISSUES

Smithsonian-Related Legislation 

The Secretary introduced the report on Smithsonian-related legislative activities and issues by 

reviewing the Institution’s ongoing discussions with the Office of Management and Budget 

about enhanced-use lease authority. As explained by the Secretary, the Institution is investigating 
iv

the option to partner, subject to the Regents’ approval, with the private sector in the development 

of real estate activities. The Secretary also noted that the Smithsonian currently is engaged in 

conversations with the Centers for Disease Control about avian influenza research initiatives, as 

the Institution is uniquely positioned to offer substantial contributions to that effort. The Regents 

then were given updates on legislative actions of interest to the Smithsonian. 

REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL 

January – December 2005 

The Secretary updated the Regents about the Internal Revenue Service’s audit of the Institution’s 

filings for its business activities for fiscal years 1998 through 2002, which was first reported to 

the Board in 2002. He reported that the audit was successfully completed and the outcome was 

favorable to the Smithsonian. It was then noted that during calendar year 2005 there were 

approximately 14 administrative complaints, 19 Rehabilitation Act advice matters, and 47 

administrative tort claims that required the active involvement of the Office of the General 

Counsel. During this period there also were 26 active cases, 16 of which were employment cases 

and two of which were tort claims to which the Smithsonian Institution was a named party. Two 

cases involved contracts, three intellectual property cases, one personal property, one 

administrative matter, and one other matter. There were 10 new cases and 10 completed cases, 

and 16 cases were carried over to the new year. 

DONOR RECOGNITION AND CORPORATE SUPPORT

The Regents approved the following resolutions for donor recognition and corporate support 

opportunities, which were developed in accordance with the fund-raising principles, policies, and 

procedures approved by the Board of Regents and applicable Smithsonian directives: 

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the change of the National Museum of 

American History’s subscript from “Behring Center” to “Kenneth E. Behring Center.” 

In addition, the Board authorizes the transfer of the remaining $1.4 million of Kenneth E. 

Behring’s obligation to National Museum of Natural History to the National Museum of 

American History. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of The Boeing Company to 

the National Air and Space Museum and gratefully approves the naming of the Boeing 

Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in its honor for a period of 15 

years. This recognition will appear at the entrance to the facility and on all appropriate 

signage. In addition, the Regents gratefully approve the placement of a sign at the 

entrance of the How Things Fly exhibition at the National Air and Space Museum’s 

National Mall building for a period of 10 years. The sign will read “How Things Fly,

sponsored by Boeing.” 
v

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of Michael 

and Victoria Callen to the Smithsonian and to the Donald W. Reynolds Center for 

American Art and Portraiture and gratefully approves the naming of an exhibition 

gallery in the Center in their honor. The gallery is to be named the Michael and Victoria 

Callen Gallery for a period of 20 years, or until the next comprehensive renovation, 

whichever occurs later. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of Susan 

Reed Moseley and Furman C. Moseley, Jr., to the Smithsonian and to the Donald W. 

Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture by naming the Smithsonian American 

Art Museum’s two Western Art galleries, as proposed, the Susan Reed Moseley Galleries. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution recognizes the 

generosity and dedication of Catherine Martin Willcox to the National Museum of the 

American Indian and gratefully approves the placement of a plaque honoring the Martin 

and Willcox families and Ira Hamilton Hayes outside of the Patrons’ Lounge on the 

fourth floor of its National Mall museum. The plaque will remain in place for 10 years or 

until the next comprehensive renovation of the space, whichever first occurs. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Joan and Herb 

Kelleher Charitable Foundation to the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. 

Udvar-Hazy Center and gratefully approves naming the Center’s Aviation Hangar 

Information–Tours Desk in honor of the donor. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of Ken and 

Marilou Hakuta to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and, by means of their gift, 

gratefully creates an endowment for the conservation and maintenance of artworks that 

involve technology in the Museum’s collection. The endowment is to be named the PaikHakuta Family Endowment for Technology in Art. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of John L. 

and Hope L. Furth and, by means of their gift and consistent with their wishes, gratefully 

creates an endowment to benefit the programs and activities of the Smithsonian 

Institution Libraries. Further, this endowment is to be named the John L. and Hope L. 

Furth Endowment for the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of Alfa 

Radford and the friends and colleagues of the late Dr. Harrison E. Radford to the 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and, by means of their gifts and consistent with 

their wishes, gratefully creates an endowment to benefit the Wolbach Library of the 

Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The endowment is to be named the 

Harrison E. Radford Fund. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the National Museum of Natural History to 

establish an endowment fund to support the ongoing maintenance, operations, and 

improvements for the Museum’s planned Ocean Hall. The Museum will establish this 

endowment using $200,000 of a $500,000 unrestricted gift received in April 2005 and 

intends to add to it gifts received through fund-raising activities associated with the 

Ocean Hall and the Ocean Science Initiative. Further, the endowment fund is to be 

known as the Ocean Hall Endowment. 
vi

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the National Sciences Resources Center to 

create a quasi-endowment fund to benefit the program activities of the Center. The 

endowment will be funded using unrestricted gifts to the Center. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the creation of a pooled quasi-endowment 

fund for the general operating purposes of the National Air and Space Museum. This 

account may be funded by bequests of $500,000 or less which are received by the 

Museum and otherwise are not restricted by the donor. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of the James 

F. Dicke family to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and, by means of their gift, 

gratefully establishes an endowment for the maintenance of the Museum’s galleries and 

building, and other activities of the Museum, as determined by its director. The 

endowment is to be named the James F. Dicke Family Endowment for the Smithsonian 

American Art Museum. In addition, Room E222 in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for 

American Art and Portraiture is to be named in perpetuity The James F. Dicke Family 

Gallery in further recognition of the family’s generosity. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of Albert H. 

Small to the National Museum of American History, Behring Center, and gratefully 

approves the naming of the Albert Small Documents Gallery. In addition, the Regents 

gratefully approve in advance the creation of an endowment for the ongoing support of 

programs for this gallery, which may be created using up to 25% of the donor’s gift. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity and dedication of Richard A. 

Manoogian and the Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation to the Archives of 

American Art and, in grateful recognition of the Foundation’s gift, approves the naming 

of the Manoogian Chief of Reference position for five years. 

REPORT OF THE FINANCE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

During the morning meeting of the Committee of the Whole, Deputy Secretary Burke presented 

an effective overview of the Institution’s accomplishments during fiscal year 2005, including its 

financial highlights. As discussed by Ms. Burke, fiscal year 2005 was a good year for the 

Institution. Overall visitation at Smithsonian museums dramatically rose, private-sector giving 

increased, net income from non-Federal retail business exceeded projections, and the 

Endowment outperformed the Smithsonian’s market benchmarks. Despite ongoing challenges 

with Federal funding, it is clear that the Smithsonian is continuing to make progress in achieving 

its stated goals, including the revitalization of its aging and dilapidated physical infrastructure. 

When presenting the Finance and Investment Committee’s report during the afternoon meeting 

of the Board of Regents, Committee Chair Alan Spoon supported Ms. Burke’s assertion that 

fiscal year 2005 was financially solid. It was noted that the Committee’s report was based on the 

Institution’s fiscal year 2005 financial statement audit and that the fiscal year-end totals reflected 

therein were audited actuals. 

During fiscal year 2005, work continued on the enhancement of the Smithsonian’s security, the 

modernization of its telephone systems and computers, and the upgrade of the Institution’s 
vii

financial control infrastructure, despite considerable staff shortfalls due to insufficient Federal 

funding. To meet the Smithsonian’s Federal and unrestricted Trust financial goals, management 

also imposed both Federal and Trust staff hiring freezes and conducted a strategic workforce 

planning process. 

Despite these initiatives, an April 2005 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 

validated the Smithsonian’s $2.3 billion facilities revitalization and maintenance requirement and 

further substantiated the Institution’s compelling need for increased Federal funding. While 

Federal funding for revitalization of physical facilities in fiscal year 2005 represented a marked 

increase over prior years, it was insufficient in its support of the Smithsonian’s needs. Looking 

forward, the Federal facilities appropriation for fiscal year 2006 and the amount included in the 

Administration’s fiscal year 2007 budget request represent a sharp reduction from fiscal year 

2005. 

When discussing the Institution’s budget resolution for fiscal year 2007, it was noted that the 

negotiation of the Smithsonian’s Federal budget with the Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) was, as expected, very difficult. The Administration’s funding priorities remain the war 

on terrorism and homeland security, in addition to hurricane-relief costs and a commitment to tax 

cuts. In response, OMB initially recommended a 1% reduction in Smithsonian funding, as 

compared to its fiscal year 2006 appropriation. However, based on the Smithsonian’s appeal to 

OMB and strong Regent support, the Office of Management and Budget ultimately agreed to a 

4.8% increase in the Institution’s fiscal year 2007 appropriation compared to the prior year. 

Although this increase falls well short of the funding needed to address the Institution’s aging 

facilities (and represents a significant drop from fiscal year 2005 funding for facilities 

revitalization), the Smithsonian acknowledges that its final fiscal year 2007 budget increase (as 

measured in percentage terms) is better than that of most non-defense government agencies. 

During its meeting on January 19, the Finance and Investment Committee therefore agreed to ask 

the Board of Regents to approve a resolution to authorize the Secretary to submit to Congress the 

Federal budget request for fiscal year 2007. Accordingly, the Regents approved the following 

motion: 

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the Secretary to submit to Congress a 

Federal budget for fiscal year 2007 as part of the President’s budget in the amount 

negotiated with OMB and authorizes the Secretary to inform OMB and Congress fully 

about the implications of the President’s budget for the mission and priorities of the 

Institution. 

In concluding this portion of the Committee’s report, the Regents then were apprised of the 

Investment Committee’s activities, especially those that relate to the modernization of the 

Institution’s management of its Endowment. The Investment Committee remains committed to 

the development of a more aggressive, heavier mix of hedge-related kinds of investment in 

private equity that will increase returns on the Endowment without taking inappropriate risks. 
viii

STATUS REPORT OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON FACILITIES 

REVITALIZATION

During the morning meeting of the Committee of the Whole, Roger Sant, chairman of the 

Regents’ ad hoc Committee on Facilities Revitalization, noted that the Committee remains 

determined to find a means of addressing the Smithsonian’s $2.3 billion backlog in facilities 

revitalization and maintenance. Secretary Small then updated the Board about an unsuccessful 

effort to find a one-time solution though a special amendment to a supplemental appropriation. 

The next-best option, he suggested, would be the addition of an additional $100 million for 

facilities revitalization and maintenance to each of the Institution’s appropriations over the next 

10 years. A Regent observed the growth of considerable interest and support in the House of 

Representatives to secure new sources of revenues while reducing some of the Institution’s leastjustified programmatic expenditures. Interest in bonding and other forms of financing was also 

expressed, but it was noted that the Institution lacks a source of revenues for repayment. The 

Committee plans to reconvene before the May 2006 Regents’ meeting, when it will update the 

Board about its most recent efforts to address this critical problem. 

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee reported on its successful nomination of Chief Justice John G. 

Roberts, Jr., as the new Chancellor of the Smithsonian and member of the Board’s Executive 

Committee. Committee Chair Patricia Stonesifer then discussed the Committee’s efforts to 

identify an appropriate nominee to fill the position of Dr. IbáZez, who will conclude his second 

and final term on the Board of Regents in May 2006. Smithsonian National Board Chair Patricia 

Frost excused herself from this portion of the proceedings. 

Ms. Stonesifer reminded the Regents of earlier discussions wherein they agreed upon the 

qualities considered critical to the selection of a potential nominee to the Smithsonian’s Board of 

Regents and reported that, upon due consideration of the Board’s direction, the Nominating 

Committee had selected Florida resident Dr. Phillip Frost. Dr. Frost is recognized for his 

outstanding business, medical, and academic acumen, as well as his significant civic and 

philanthropic contributions. The Board of Regents then approved the following motion:

VOTED that the Board of Regents nominates Phillip Frost to serve a statutory six-year 

term as a citizen member of the Board of Regents, effective May 5, 2006, and asks its 

Congressional members to introduce and support such legislation as soon as practicable. 

SITE SELECTION FOR THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN 

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Mr. Sant introduced the discussion of the site selection for the new National Museum of African 

American History and Culture. He noted that, in accordance with Public Law 108-194, the 

Smithsonian had consulted with a great many heads of interested organizations; that Regents had 

visited each of the four sites from which they were to choose; that, as mandated by Public Law 
ix

107-106, the Regents had taken into consideration the reports and plans of the National Museum 

of African American History and Culture Plan for Action Presidential Commission; that the 

Regents had benefited from the findings of the professional analysis of the four sites; and that on 

December 5 Regents met with representatives of the Council of the National Museum of African 

American History and Culture to consider the Council’s recommendations. 

After a discussion by the Regents and a procedural vote, the following motion was 

approved: 

VOTED that the Board of Regents, having fully considered its obligations under 

Public Law 108-194 and the recommendations it has received from statutory 

bodies, the Presidential Action Commission of the National Museum of African 

American History and Culture, and the Council of the National Museum of 

African American History and Culture, designates the Monument Site, bounded 

by 14th and 15th Streets, Constitution Avenue, and Madison Drive, for the purpose 

of building and operating the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African 

American History and Culture. 

The Regents next discussed the future of the Arts and Industries Building, which will be 

fully vacated this year in accordance with the Regents’ earlier determination that the 

building’s state of decay renders it unsafe for occupancy. As the Institution now must 

explore every possible avenue to obtain the resources necessary to save and revitalize the 

landmark building, the Secretary suggested that it might be useful to explore publicprivate partnerships and cited successful examples of such alliances. He added that he has 

consulted with a respected real estate firm to become familiar with the process of 

soliciting proposals for public-private partnerships but that, while preliminary 

assessments might seem promising in principle, he would need to consult more widely 

with members of Congress and the Administration before encouraging discussions 

between real estate consultants and developers and other private-sector entities. The 

Regents offered their support for the Secretary to pursue the course of action he 

proposed. 

PROGRAMMATIC AND FINANCIAL GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 

FISCAL YEAR 2005 AND GOALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 

Deputy Secretary Burke offered a report on the Institution’s fiscal year 2005 programmatic and 

financial goals and accomplishments, as well as a review of its fiscal year 2006 goals. Ms. Burke 

noted that the Institution had met practically all of its fiscal year 2005 goals, particularly those 

that related to Secretary’s previously stated objectives of “Increased Public Engagement,” 

“Strengthened Research,” “Enhanced Management Excellence,” and “Greater Financial 

Strength.” 

The Institution’s fiscal year 2006 goals include a number of significant points, including a 

commitment to take all necessary steps to defend the requirement for $2.3 billion in additional 

funds for maintenance and revitalization. The Smithsonian also aspires to secure significant 

increases in Federal and Trust funding in order to address this critical shortfall. At the same time, 
x

it pledges to undertake or maintain a number of significant initiatives, such as making all 

scheduled progress on major facilities capital and exhibitions projects, as well as IT, financial, 

and process management initiatives; increasing physical and virtual visits; convening the 

Smithsonian Art commission; implementing Exhibition Guidelines; improving the representation 

of women and minorities on staff; developing a reorganization plan for non-museum education 

and outreach programs while continuing to implement the Education Strategic Plan; and 

demonstrating progress on the Institution’s security and safety measures. When discussing the 

rest of the Institution’s 2006 goals, Ms. Burke added that the future development of the 

Institution’s annual goals papers will include the distribution of draft copies to the Board of 

Regents in advance of each fiscal year. This change is intended to encourage more substantive 

input from the Board. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION,INCLUDING THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON 

COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES

The plenary meeting of the Board of Regents concluded at 1:45 p.m., after which the Regents 

met in Executive Session to discuss the recommendations of the Committee on Compensation 

and Human Resources. The Committee had met on December 5, 2005, to conduct its annual 

review of the Institution’s compensation philosophy and procedures and to consider 

recommendations for compensation adjustments for Smithsonian management. Following 

discussion of the Committee’s report, the Regents then approved the following motion: 

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the compensation adjustments for 

Smithsonian management for calendar year 2006 as presented by its Committee 

on Compensation and Human Resources. 

The Board of Regents adjourned their Executive Session meeting at about 2:15 p.m. A press 

conference to announce the selection of the site for the new National Museum of African 

American History and Culture subsequently was held at 3:00 p.m. 

REGENTS’ DINNER AND MONDAY MORNING EVENTS

On Sunday evening, the Regents, senior officers, and spouses attended a casual reception and 

dinner in the Panda House of the National Zoological Park, where they were entertained by one 

of the Institution’s newest stars: six-month-old male Giant Panda cub Tai Shan. 

During the meeting of the Committee of the Whole on Monday morning, the Regents discussed 

the selection of the site for the new National Museum of African American History; the 

Institution’s accomplishments in 2005 and goals for 2006; and the efforts of the Regents’ ad hoc 

Committee on Facilities Revitalization to address the Institution’s $2.3 billion backlog in 

facilities revitalization and maintenance. They also were briefed on the recent tour of the 

Smithsonian Tropical Research Center (STRI) in Panama by seven Regents. The Regents were 

deeply impressed by the extraordinary science programs, research, and staff at STRI and also 

were honored during dinners with the President of Panama, the Fundaçion Smithsonian, and the 

American Ambassador to Panama, in addition to being led on a special tour by the Administrator 
xi

of the Panama Canal. In appreciation of the work that went into this successful trip, the Regents 

approved the following motion: 

VOTED that the Board of Regents expresses its great appreciation to Smithsonian 

Tropical Research Institute Director Ira Rubinoff, Smithsonian Director of 

Special Events and Protocol Nicole Krakora, their staffs, and other members of 

Smithsonian management who facilitated the Regents’ January 9–13, 2006, visit 

to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Their dedicated efforts 

successfully introduced the Regents to the Institute’s critically important work 

and extraordinary staff, as well as the local community that supports this valuable 

member of both the Smithsonian Institution and the greater international 

scientific community. 

The Regents then adjourned for lunch in the Castle Library, during which a special presentation 

was offered by JoGayle Howard, DVM, PhD, of the National Zoological Park’s Department of 

Reproductive Sciences. Dr. Howard, whose studies focus on fertility, infertility, and the role of 

reproductive technologies in promoting the reproduction of rare and endangered species, 

developed a new artificial insemination technique for giant pandas that recently led to the 

successful birth of Tai Shan. She engaged the Regents’ attention with a fascinating illustrated 

lecture about the “Challenges Facing Reproduction in Endangered Species.”