MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 26, 2015, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Monday, January 26, 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

John Fahey 

Shirley Ann Jackson

Representative Sam Johnson

Robert P. Kogod 

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

David M. Rubenstein

Sakurako Fisher, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Representative Xavier Becerra, Representative Tom Cole, Mr. Steve 

Case, Dr. Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey, and Mr. Michael M. Lynton were unable to attend the meeting.

Also present were: 

Albert Horvath, Acting Secretary 

Patricia L. Bartlett, Chief of Staff to the Secretary 

Greg Bettwy, Associate Director of the Office of 

Human Resources 2

Claudine K. Brown, Assistant Secretary for 

Education and Access

Amy Chen, Chief Investment Officer

Virginia B. Clark, Director of Advancement and 

Philanthropic Giving

Barbara Feininger, Senior Writer-Editor for the 

Office of the Regents (recorder)

David Heil, Assistant to Representative Johnson

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

Anson Hines, Director of the Smithsonian 

Environmental Research Center3

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 

Evelyn S. Lieberman, Director of Communications

and External Affairs 

Christopher Liedel, President of Smithsonian 

Enterprises

Kevin McDonald, Assistant to Senator Leahy

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

Steve Monfort, Director of the Smithsonian 

Conservation Biology Institute3

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

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

2 Mr. Bettwy participated in the report of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee.

3 Dr. Hines and Dr. Monfort participated in the luncheon presentation. 
MORNING SESSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION: REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND HUMAN 

RESOURCES COMMITTEE

2015 Senior Executive 

Compensation 

The morning session of the Board of Regents’ meeting began with an executive 

session. Ambassador Barbara Barrett, chair of the Compensation and Human 

Resources Committee, led the Board’s annual discussion of senior executive 

compensation decisions. Associate Director of the Office of Human Resources Greg 

Bettwy assisted with the review. 

Post-Employment Contract 

for the Former Secretary

Academic Appointment for 

the Secretary-Elect

Upon two motions duly made and seconded, the Board approved the 

Compensation and Human Resources Committee’s compensation

recommendations for senior executive positions and the former Secretary.

See attached Actions 2015.01.01 and 2015.01.02 (Minutes of the Board of 

Regents, Appendix A).

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the post-employment 

contract for former Secretary G. Wayne Clough. 

See attached Action 2015.01.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the acceptance by the 

Secretary-elect of the appointment as an academic affiliate with the title 

Distinguished Professor at Georgetown University.

See attached Action 2015.01.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

The executive session was adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

CONVERSATION WITH INTERIM UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE 

Board Chair John W. McCarter, Jr., called the open session to order at 10:01 a.m. 

Following staff introductions, he invited Interim Under Secretary for Science John 

Kress to update the Board on major science initiatives under way at the 

Smithsonian Institution (“Smithsonian”). 

REPORT OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Board Chair John W. McCarter, Jr., began the report of the Board and Executive 

Committee Chair by thanking Office of the Regents Senior Writer-Editor Barbara 

Feininger for her service. 

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Action Between Meetings Mr. McCarter reported that the Executive Committee approved, on behalf of the 

Board, an amendment to the minutes of the April 7, 2014, Board meeting to reflect 

Dr. France Córdova’s resignation from the Board because of her appointment as 

director of the National Science Foundation.

Regents’ Self-Assessment Mr. McCarter reviewed the results of the Regents’ annual self-assessment. Among 

other things, more Regents reported that they are appropriately informed by 

Smithsonian management on activities between meetings and consider time 

devoted to Regent committee work to be reasonable. Some Regents wish to 

receive more information about the Smithsonian’s public programs and services. 

Other comments included a desire that Board meetings devote less time to 

procedural matters and more time to substantive discussions, as well as concern 

about the quantity of Board meeting materials to be absorbed. Participation by 

each member of the Board is desired in future annual self-assessments. 

Appreciation for Senators 

Cochran and Reed

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved a motion of 

appreciation for the contributions of Senator Thad Cochran and Senator Jack Reed 

during their tenure on the Board of Regents.

See attached Action 2015.01.05 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Minutes of the October 20, 

2014, Board Meeting

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the draft minutes of the October 20, 2014, 

meeting of the Board of Regents were approved without modification.

See attached Action 2015.01.06 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE ACTING SECRETARY

Acting Secretary Albert Horvath updated the Board on the state of the Smithsonian. 

His report focused on Smithsonian news, activities, and initiatives that have 

occurred since the October 20, 2014, Regents’ meeting. Mr. Horvath reported on 

the reopening of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. He updated the 

Board on the progress of the National Museum of African American History and 

Culture construction as well as the progress of the Smithsonian digitization efforts. 

Mr. Horvath thanked Evelyn Lieberman, director of communications and external 

affairs, who received the Secretary’s Gold Medal for Exceptional Service and 

congratulated Judith Leonard, general counsel of the Smithsonian, and Jeffrey 

Minear, counselor to the Chief Justice, who were elected to membership in the 

American Law Institute. Mr. Horvath then updated the Board on the fiscal year 

2015 Federal budget and the Trust budget. 

To conclude his report, Mr. Horvath updated the Board on progress of the 

Smithsonian Campaign. He also reported that the Smithsonian was ranked as one 

of the best places to work in the Federal government for the fifth year in a row and 

that the Smithsonian had raised 105 percent of its goal in this year’s Combined 

Federal Campaign. 

3
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

David Rubenstein, chair of the Finance Committee, presented the report of the 

Committee. 

Fiscal Year 2015 Financial 

Update

Mr. Rubenstein presented a summary of the fiscal year 2015 financial update and 

highlighted revenue sources, expenses, and net operating revenue. 

Fiscal Year 2015 Federal 

Budget Update

Mr. Rubenstein then reported on the update to the fiscal year 2015 Federal 

budget. The Smithsonian received an appropriation of $819.5 million in the 

Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, signed by the 

President on December 16, 2014. The appropriation included $675.3 million for 

salaries and expenses and $144.2 million for facilities capital.

Fiscal Year 2016 Federal 

Budget Request to Congress

The Finance Committee presented the Federal budget request to the Board for 

approval. The Federal budget request of $936 million is a 14.1 percent increase 

over the fiscal year 2015 appropriation. The request reflects an increase of 

$60.7 million in salaries and expenses and a request of $200 million for 

facilities capital. The budget request includes non-discretionary increases for

salary, rent, and utilities; an increase of $27.3 million for facilities operations, 

security, and maintenance; an increase of $3.7 million toward collections care 

initiatives; and an increase of $2.8 million for scientific research. Mr. 

Rubenstein noted that the increase in the request for facilities capital includes 

funding to begin the renovation of the National Air and Space Museum as well 

as other major renovation efforts. 

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the Smithsonian’s 

fiscal year 2016 Federal budget request.

See attached Action 2015.01.07 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

David Rubenstein, acting chair of the Investment Committee, presented the report 

of the Committee. 

Endowment Update Mr. Rubenstein reported that the Endowment had assets of $1.3 billion at the 

end of December 2014 and that the Endowment had a one-year rate of return 

of 15.3 percent and a five-year rate of return of 9.6 percent. 

REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN ENTERPRISES SUBCOMMITTEE

Board Chair John W. McCarter, Jr. reported that the Subcommittee held its first 

meeting on January 16, 2015. He reminded the Board that the Subcommittee was 

established to provide more engaged Regent oversight of Smithsonian Enterprises. 

4
Mr. McCarter then reported on presentations by the Acting Secretary and the 

President of Smithsonian Enterprises to the Subcommittee. 

REPORT OF THE STRATEGY, INNOVATION, AND TECHNOLOGY 

COMMITTEE

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, chair of the Strategy, Innovation, and Technology 

Committee, presented the report of the Committee. 

Dr. Jackson reported on the Committee’s efforts to address the topics of innovation 

and technology and that the Committee will pursue an “outside in/inside out” 

approach to help it determine whether the Smithsonian is making good use of best 

practices, technologies, and collaborative opportunities. 

Dr. Jackson also highlighted the Smithsonian’s global strategic framework and 

recent steps to reorganize the Smithsonian’s capabilities to prepare for the 

responsibilities of participating in a variety of global collaborations and projects. 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

Fiscal Year 2014 Audited 

Financial Statements

Audit and Review Committee Chair Robert Kogod reported the results of the 

KPMG audit of the fiscal year 2014 financial statements and recommendations 

of how the Smithsonian could improve its accounting operations. Mr. Kogod

reported that KPMG did not identify any significant changes in the disclosures 

contained in the audit report or any material weaknesses in internal controls. 

KPMG made five recommendations intended to improve internal controls and 

operating efficiencies. Smithsonian management concurred with each 

recommendation and the Committee was briefed on the actions that will be 

taken to implement each recommendation. 

Integrated Risk 

Management 

Mr. Kogod reported that the Committee also discussed risks associated with 

securing information technology and the Smithsonian’s efforts to mitigate the 

risks. 

REPORT OF THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Advancement Committee member Ambassador Barbara Barrett presented the 

report of the Committee. 

She reported that the Smithsonian Campaign progress is on track to meet its 

fundraising goal for fiscal year 2015. The Committee also discussed plans for the 

Smithsonian Campaign’s public phase and the work being done to increase online 

fundraising. 

Gift Actions Director of Advancement and Philanthropic Giving Virginia Clark presented five 

proposed gift agreements and one administrative action for the full Board’s review. 

5
She noted that all gifts conform to Smithsonian gift policies. Upon motion duly 

made and seconded, the agreements were approved en banc.4

See attached Actions 2015.01.08–2015.01.13 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee member John Fahey presented the report 

of the Committee. 

Advisory Board 

Appointments

Upon motion duly made and seconded, proposed appointments and 

reappointments to 12 Smithsonian advisory boards were approved en banc. 4

See attached Actions 2015.01.14-2015.01.25 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

Regent Committee Charter 

Amendments

During its October 2014, meeting, the Board voted to recommend that each 

Regent committee revise its charter before January 2015 to reflect changes to 

committee term limits.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, proposed amendments to the charters of 

the Advancement; Audit and Review; Compensation and Human Resources; 

Facilities; Finance; Governance and Nominating; Investment; and Strategy, 

Innovation, and Technology committees of the Board of Regents were approved. 4

 

See attached Action 2015.01.26 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A) 

2015 Committee 

Assignments and 

Chairmanships

Upon motion duly made and seconded, a proposed slate of Regents’ committee 

chairmanships and member assignments for 2015 was approved and 

recommended to the Chancellor for appointment. 4

 

See attached Action 2015.01.27 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A) 

Acquisition Policy The Board discussed proposed changes to the Smithsonian Institution Policy on 

Museum Acquisitions and agreed to revisit the discussion at a future meeting. 

REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL BOARD

Chair of the Smithsonian National Board Sakurako Fisher presented the report of 

the Smithsonian National Board. She reported on the Smithsonian National Board’s 

most recent meeting, which was held at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design 

Museum. 

4 The motion was approved during the afternoon session of the Board of Regents’ meeting.

6
REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

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

Government Relations. She reported that her office provided information on the 

Smithsonian to all members of the 114th Congress, that the National Museum of 

American History held a reception for all new Members of Congress, and that the 

National Portrait Gallery hosted a visit for members of the Cabinet. She also 

updated the Board on Congressional Committees that are relevant to operations of 

the Smithsonian. 

LUNCHEON PRESENTATION 

Director of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Dr. Anson “Tuck” 

Hines and director of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Dr. Steve 

Monfort led the luncheon presentation. 

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at approximately 1:20 pm. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

The Board held an executive session to discuss an opportunity for the Smithsonian to 

have a presence in London. It also conducted an executive session with the Acting 

Secretary and General Counsel. 

The executive session adjourned at 3:00 p.m. 

See attached Action 2015.01.28 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE

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

He reported on the facilities capital and maintenance investment requirements for 

fiscal years 2014 to 2020. He reviewed the history of appropriations for facilities 

capital and maintenance and the facilities capital Federal and private investment 

requirements. 

National Air and Space 

Museum Project Update

Mr. Kogod reported that the Committee was briefed on the revitalization plans for 

the National Air and Space Museum at its December meeting. The plans include 

replacing all major systems and the building’s exterior stone envelope. 

South Mall Campus Update The Facilities Committee also reported on the South Campus Master Plan (“Plan”). 

The Plan is being rolled out to the Federal and D.C. regulatory agencies with 

oversight or advisory authority. Mr. Kogod reported that the Office of Facilities,

7
Engineering, and Operations and architects from Bjarke Ingels Group are currently 

developing and evaluating cost and implementation strategies over a 20 to 30 year 

build-out period. 

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Albert Horvath

Acting Secretary

8
APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

JANUARY 26, 2015, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

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

Committee’s compensation recommendations for senior executive positions. [2015.01.01]

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

Committee’s compensation recommendation for the former Secretary. [2015.01.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the post-employment contract for former Secretary

G. Wayne Clough. [2015.01.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the acceptance by Secretary-elect David Skorton of 

an appointment as an academic affiliate with the title of Distinguished Professor at Georgetown 

University with the condition that Secretary-elect Skorton will seek Board approval prior to 

accepting any teaching commitments with compensation. [2015.01.04] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents expresses its deep appreciation and gratitude to Senator 

Thad Cochran and Senator Jack Reed for their dedication and contributions to the Board of 

Regents and the Smithsonian Institution. [2015.01.05] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the October 20, 2014, meeting of 

the Board of Regents. [2015.01.06] 

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

Federal budget request for appropriated funds for fiscal year 2016 as part of the President’s 

budget in the amount of $936 million, as negotiated with the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB), and authorizes the Acting Secretary to inform OMB and Congress fully about the 

implications of the President’s budget for the mission and priorities of the Smithsonian. 

[2015.01.07] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of John and Adrienne Mars to the 

National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, creates 

two endowments to support the respective directors’ positions, and names each position the 

John and Adrienne Mars Director. [2015.01.08] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of John L. Plueger to the National 

Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and names the John L. Plueger Family 

Welcome Desk for a period of 10 years. [2015.01.09] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Charles Stark Draper 

Laboratory, Inc., to the National Museum of American History and names the Draper Spark!Lab 

on the first floor of the museum’s west wing for a period of 20 years. [2015.01.10] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Coralyn Wright Whitney to the 

National Museum of Natural History and names the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education 

Center for 20 years or until the next major renovation, whichever occurs last. [2015.01.11] 
2 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Nancy Brown Negley and the 

Brown Foundation to the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and names 

the Nancy Brown Negley Hall until the next comprehensive renovation of the Renwick Gallery. 

[2015.01.12] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates the Zappasodi Fund for South Asian Art, a quasiendowment for the benefit of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery to support 

initiatives that shed light on the art, culture, and history of South Asia. Further, the Board 

authorizes the transfer of the funds identified for this purpose. [2015.01.13] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Bridget Moore to the Board of Trustees of the 

Archives of American Art for a three-year term February 1, 2015. [2015.01.14] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Maya Rogers to the Advisory Board of the Asian 

Pacific American Center for a three-year term effective immediately. [2015.01.15] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Agnes C. Bourne, Alberto M. Eiber, Harvey M. 

Krueger, Nancy Marks, Karen A. Phillips, and Esme Usdan to the Board of Trustees of Cooper 

Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum for three-year terms effective immediately. [2015.01.16] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Alain M. Bellemare, Mark B. Dunkerley, and Dawn S. 

Hickton to the Board of the National Air and Space Museum for three-year terms effective 

immediately. [2015.01.17] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints N. Anthony Coles, Brian Cornell, and Robert L. 

Wright to the Council of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to serve 

until the opening of the museum, and such service shall be deemed an initial term effective 

January 27, 2015. [2015.01.18] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Randy Falco to the Advisory Board of the National 

Museum of American History for a three-year term effective February 1, 2015. [2015.01.19] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Anna Chavez, Alma Gildenhorn, Jane Kamensky, and 

Alyssa Taubman to the Commission of the National Portrait Gallery for four-year terms effective 

immediately. [2015.01.20] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Carolyn Small Alper and Anthony Podesta to the 

Commission of the Smithsonian American Art Museum for four-year terms effective 

immediately. [2015.01.21] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints James Erbs, Andrew Heyward, and Michael Tuteur 

to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for three-year terms 

effective immediately. [2015.01.22] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Brenda J. Gaines, Christine Jenkins, and Stephen H. 

Willard II to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for 

three-year terms effective April 1, 2015. [2015.01.23] 
3 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Ann Serrano López to the Smithsonian National 

Latino Board of the Smithsonian Latino Center for a three-year term effective immediately. 

[2015.01.24] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Teresa M. Bergeson, Irwin Shlachter, Frazier 

Wilson, and Christos Zahopoulos to the National Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Science 

Education Center for three-year terms retroactively effective May 9, 2014. [2015.01.25] 

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

Advancement; Audit and Review; Compensation and Human Resources; Facilities; Finance; 

Governance and Nominating; Investment; and Strategy, Innovation, and Technology 

committees of the Board of Regents. [2015.01.26] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed committee chairmanships and 

member assignments for 2015 and requests that the Chancellor make the necessary 

appointments. [2015.01.27] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the Acting Secretary and his designees to work 

with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to develop terms as the basis for an 

agreement between the LLDC and the Smithsonian Institution for Smithsonian exhibit space in 

the cultural complex in East London. The terms shall be consistent with a minimum of a $50 

million funding commitment from the United Kingdom, an agreement term that enables exit by 

the Smithsonian if conditions warrant and within a reasonable timeframe, and a commitment 

from the LLDC to assist in raising additional donations prior to exhibit openings in 2021. The 

terms and conditions will be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of 

Regents, the Board of Regents, the Acting Secretary or Secretary, and the General Counsel. 

[2015.01.28]