MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

June 22, 2009

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Monday, June 22, 2009, in the 

Regents’ Room of the Smithsonian Institution Castle.  The meeting included morning and 

afternoon sessions, followed by an executive session.  Board Chair Patricia Q. Stonesifer called 

the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  Present were: 

The Chief Justice 1 

Thad Cochran  

Christopher Dodd 2

Phillip Frost 

Shirley Ann Jackson 3 

Robert P. Kogod 

Patrick Leahy 4

Doris Matsui  

David M. Rubenstein 

Roger W. Sant 

Patricia Q. Stonesifer

L. Hardwick Caldwell III, Smithsonian National Board Chair 

France Córdova, Regent‐designee 5 

David Silfen, Investment Committee Chair 6

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Representatives Xavier Becerra and Sam Johnson, John W. 

McCarter Jr., and Alan G. Spoon were unable to attend the meeting.  

Also present were:  

G. Wayne Clough, Secretary  

Charles Alcock, Acting Under Secretary for  

  Science 

Patricia L. Bartlett, Chief of Staff to the  

  Secretary  

Amy Chen, Chief Investment Officer 

Barbara Feininger, Senior Writer‐Editor for the 

Office of the Regents   

Grace L. Jaeger, Program Officer for the Office  

of the Regents  

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 Public Affairs  

Alice C. Maroni, Chief Financial Officer  

Alison McNally, Under Secretary for Finance  

  and Administration  

Carole M.P. Neves, Director of the Office of  

  Policy and Analysis 

Tom Ott, President of Smithsonian 

  Enterprises  

Nell Payne, Director of Government Relations  

A. Sprightley Ryan, Inspector General 

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice  

Sudafi Henry, Assistant to the Vice President 

Evan Ryan, Assistant to the Vice President 

T.A. Hawks, Assistant to Senator Cochran 

Colin McGinnis, Assistant to Senator Dodd  

Kevin McDonald, Assistant to Senator Leahy  

Lorenzo Olivera, Assistant to Congressman  

Becerra  

David Heil, Assistant to Congressman Johnson  

Alexis Marks, Assistant to Congresswoman 

Matsui 

Lonnie Bunch, Director of the National  

  Museum of African American History and  

  Culture 7

Carolyn L. Martin, Director of Internal  

  Communications 8

Linda St. Thomas, Director of Media Affairs 8

_____________________________________________________ 

1  The Chancellor, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., attended the afternoon plenary session and executive session. 

2  Senator Dodd arrived at 10:22 a.m., departed at 11:30 a.m., and did not vote on any of the proposed motions. 

3  Dr. Jackson departed the meeting at 2:34 p.m. but was present for the consideration of all proposed motions.  

4  Senator Leahy voted on resolutions 2009.06.01 and 2009.06.02, left the meeting at 10:24 a.m., and returned at 2:38 p.m. 

5  Dr. Córdova, Regent Designee, attended by invitation of the Regents and departed at 1:00 p.m. 

6  Mr. Silfen arrived at 10:20 a.m. and departed at 12:00 p.m. 

7  Mr. Bunch participated in the presentation on Arts, Culture, and History. 

8  Ms. Martin and Ms. St. Thomas were present for the presentation on Communications.
2 

MORNING PLENARY SESSION

OPENING REMARKS

Board Chair Patricia Stonesifer welcomed the attendees and noted that this was the 

first meeting that the Regents had conducted in the Regents’ Room since June of 

2008.  Ms. Stonesifer then shared a photograph of Smithsonian benefactor James 

Smithson’s coffin as it lay in state in the Regents’ Room after former Regent 

Alexander Graham Bell had accompanied it from its original site of internment in 

Italy.  She also commented on the historic Renwick chairs in the room, noting that 

they had survived the fire that destroyed most of the Smithsonian Castle in1865. 

REPORT OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

September 21, 2009,

Annual Public Meeting

Ms. Stonesifer reminded the Board that the next Regents’ meeting would be at the 

National Museum of the American Indian on September 21, 2009, and said that the 

final one‐and‐a‐half hours of that meeting would be conducted in the Museum’s 

Rasmuson Theater in order to host the annual public meeting of the Board of 

Regents.  She said that the first public meeting of the Board, which had been 

conducted in the National Museum of Natural History’s Baird Auditorium on 

November 17, 2008, had been well‐received by the public, stakeholders in the 

Congress, the press, and Smithsonian staff, despite some audio difficulties that 

arose during the meeting.  She added that she looked forward to the engagement of 

the full Board of Regents in the September public meeting. 

Welcome to

Mr. Rubenstein and  

Dr. Córdova  

David Rubenstein, who was officially appointed to the Board of Regents on May 8, 

2009, was welcomed to the Board.  Mr. Rubenstein’s proposed appointment to the 

Regents’ Finance Committee would be considered later in this meeting.  Ms. 

Stonesifer also thanked Regent‐designee France Córdova for attending her second 

meeting in advance of her anticipated appointment.  She reported that Dr. 

Córdova’s appointment had been approved by the Senate and that her meeting with 

the members of the House of Representative’s Committee on House Administration 

was scheduled for July 22, 2009.  She added that it was anticipated that Dr. Córdova 

would be appointed officially to the Board by the time of its September 2009 

meeting.   

Appreciation to Regent

Liaison Alexis Marks

Ms. Stonesifer then expressed her appreciation for the contributions of Regent 

Liaison Alexis Marks, Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s assistant, who was attending 

her last Regents’ meeting in that capacity.  Ms. Matsui explained that Ms. Marks, 

who had contributed to the important initiatives of the Regents’ Governance and 

Nominating Committee, had accepted a position as the Executive Director of the 

California Congressional Delegation. 

Change in Meeting

Agenda   Before turning to the agenda, Ms. Stonesifer reminded the Board that an in‐depth 

discussion on the progress of the Institution’s strategic planning initiative, 

including the presentation to the Board of a draft strategic plan, had been planned 

for this meeting.  She reported, however, that although substantial milestones in 
3 

the strategic planning process had been reached, she and Secretary Clough had 

decided to defer the presentation until the September 2009 Regents’ meeting.  She 

explained that the Secretary and the unit directors had conducted a substantive 

review of the draft vision statement and proposed mission themes.  Both the input 

of the unit directors and discussions with the Regents’ Executive Committee had 

contributed to the Secretary’s decision to revise the draft statement and themes to 

better incorporate input from these important discussions.  She added that the 

Strategic Planning and Programs Committee and the Executive Committee would 

provide comment on the draft plan over the summer in anticipation of the 

September 2009 Regents’ meeting. 

Milestones in the

Smithsonian’s

Governance

Ms. Stonesifer noted two important anniversaries.  She said that this meeting 

marked the two‐year anniversary of the Governance Committee’s presentation of 

its governance recommendations to the Board of Regents, and noted that the 

Smithsonian’s response to its governance challenges had since been recognized as 

an example of effective non‐profit governance.  She also said that July 1, 2009, 

would mark the one‐year‐anniversary of the arrival of Secretary G. Wayne Clough 

to the Smithsonian Institution.  The Secretary said that the morning’s presentation 

on Smithsonian communications reflected one of several initiatives that had been 

launched in the last year to strengthen the Institution and its ability to sustain its 

mission.   

  

Approval of the April 6,

2009, Meeting Minutes

Two business items were next considered by the Board.  Following a motion made 

and seconded, the Board approved the minutes of the April 6, 2009, meeting of the 

Board of Regents. 

See attached Resolution 2009.06.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Regent Emeritus Eli  

Broad

Ms. Stonesifer then presented a motion to confer the title of Regent Emeritus on Eli 

Broad for his service to the Smithsonian Institution.  The Regents noted that this 

designation was well‐deserved and had also been conferred upon other former 

Regents.  The motion was approved. 

See attached Resolution 2009.06.02 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

STRATEGIC FOCUS: COMMUNICATIONS (PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND 

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)

Introduction to the

Office of

Communications and

Public Affairs

Secretary Clough introduced the presentation on the communications strategies 

and initiatives of the Smithsonian’s central Office of Communications and Public 

Affairs (“the Office of Communications”), which also includes the Office of 

Government Relations.  He reported that since his arrival in July 2008, the Office of 

Communications had overseen a concerted effort to overhaul the Institution’s 

internal and external communications strategies.  He said that these activities had 

resulted in, among other things, a shift from a reactive communications posture and 

the cultivation of greater public awareness about the depth of the Institution’s 

scientific assets.  He then asked Director of Communications and Public Affairs 

Evelyn Lieberman and Director of Government Relations Nell Payne to update the 

Board on the Institution’s communications and government relations strategies. 
4 

Ms. Lieberman thanked the Board for its support and the opportunity to discuss her 

office’s history, baseline responsibilities and activities, and future plans.  She 

reminded the Board that many of the Smithsonian’s recent communications 

initiatives reflected the recommendations outlined in governance goal number 16, 

which addressed the need to build upon existing relationships with Smithsonian 

stakeholders and develop new relationships to enhance the reputation and 

awareness of the Smithsonian’s programmatic activities.  She introduced two 

members of her staff: Director of Internal Communications Carolyn L. Martin and 

Director of Media Affairs Linda St. Thomas.   

Primary Goal Ms. Lieberman explained that, as the collective voice of the Institution, the Office of 

Communications presented and advanced the Smithsonian’s story.  She said that its 

overarching communications goal was to make better use of new media resources 

to increase understanding of the Smithsonian’s assets and contributions, enhance 

relations with existing stakeholders, cultivate new audiences, and strengthen 

support for the Institution. 

Environment Changes She highlighted two important changes that had permanently altered the 

environment in which the Smithsonian operated: a paradigm shift in the world of 

communications and governance transformations within the Smithsonian itself.  

Ms. Lieberman explained that the world of communications had shifted from a 

rhetorical to a conversational model with active participants who, if reached 

successfully, had the potential to receive, contribute to, and then carry the 

Smithsonian’s message to others.  She noted that new communication vehicles, 

such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, were now recognized tools that could 

launch information into limitless cycles of distribution, review, development, and 

further diffusion.  Ms. Lieberman said that the Smithsonian was no longer seen only 

as an authoritative source that developed and distributed knowledge.  She said that 

dialectical media resources now offered greater opportunities to increase the depth 

and scope of available knowledge. 

Regarding the transformation of the Smithsonian over the previous two years, Ms. 

Lieberman reminded the Board of the dramatic changes that took place from 2007 

to 2008.  During that time there were nine resignations from the ranks of the 

Smithsonian’s leadership, including those of the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, 

and two Under Secretaries.  In addition, the Smithsonian was the subject of six 

Inspector General reports, five Congressional hearings (excluding annual 

appropriations hearings), three reports by the Government Accountability Office, 

and a comprehensive report by an independent review committee.  She noted that 

the Smithsonian remained the subject of ongoing Congressional inquiries and was 

also well‐monitored by the media.  She said that, along with the paradigm shift in 

global communications, the transformation of the Smithsonian’s governance had 

demanded a change in how the Office of Communications did business. 

Structure and

Responsibilities   Ms. Lieberman then described the structure of the Office of Communications and its 

primary responsibilities.  She explained that the 44‐member office was the central 

administration’s liaison for communications staff throughout the Smithsonian’s 

museums and research centers.  She said that it oversaw the Smithsonian’s 

stakeholder communications, media relations, government relations, visitor 

services, and speechwriting, and brought collaborative, interdisciplinary, and 

critical review and support to units throughout the Institution.  Ms. Lieberman said 
5 

that central Communications staff met monthly with representatives of 

Smithsonian units’ communications staff, and interacted daily to review, advise, 

and collaborate on units’ initiatives.  She said that the central Office of 

Communications reviewed every Smithsonian press announcement, of which there 

were 550 the previous year, for accuracy and clarity.  Crisis communications were 

likewise handled through the central office.  She added that the Office of 

Communications was now better positioned to deal with issues in a proactive, not 

reactive, manner. 

Noting that nearly every major Smithsonian undertaking had a communications 

component, Ms. Lieberman listed a number of initiatives or groups in which her 

office was involved: the strategic planning process, the Web and new media 

strategy, the Trust finance teams, the Arts and Industries advisory committee, the 

national fund‐raising campaign, the branding initiative, the development of the 

Institution’s budget, and the pan‐Institutional digitization plan. 

Recent Operational

Changes   Ms. Lieberman reviewed the changes that had taken place within, as well as

because of, the Office of Communications over the last two years.  She said that the 

arrival of Secretary Clough signaled the beginning of an overhaul of her office and 

the way it did business.  While performing its core activities with the same staff and 

budget, the office had reorganized and updated communications functions, created 

a new position to advance stakeholder communications, shifted job responsibilities 

to accommodate new priorities, and provided training to update the skills of 

existing staff.  She noted that a social media position also would be added to her 

office.  Ms. Lieberman said that strengthening proactive media efforts, especially 

with regard to science and education initiatives, and providing critical background 

information to enable key stakeholders to speak knowledgably and persuasively 

about the Smithsonian were two of the Office of Communications’ goals for the 

year.   

Challenges and

Opportunities

Challenges and opportunities for the Office of Communications were then 

discussed.  Noting that many problems in fact presented opportunities, and vice 

versa, Ms. Lieberman said that the paradigm shift in the ways people communicate 

and changing demographics could both test the Smithsonian and advance its 

development.  She cited ongoing challenges to the office, such as staff and budget 

limitations, ongoing external scrutiny, and the difficult task of clearly conveying the 

scope and complexity of the Smithsonian.  Nevertheless, she said that the new 

Smithsonian leadership, as well as the agenda of President Obama, offered 

numerous opportunities to expand the Institution’s reach.   

Communications Goals Ms. Lieberman then outlined four communications goals that her office had 

established to support larger institutional objectives: energize the Smithsonian 

brand, reach new audiences, promote the Smithsonian’s contributions to science, 

and engage stakeholders as Smithsonian ambassadors.   

She said that protecting and enhancing the Smithsonian’s name was the most 

important function of her office, and that the Office of Communications would soon 

launch an Institution‐wide branding initiative to energize the Smithsonian’s brand.  

By fortifying its messages, presenting a consistent voice, and creating new 

messages, taglines, and stories, the Smithsonian could better articulate its vision 

and identify, as well as inform outside perceptions.  Ms. Lieberman added that this 
6 

initiative would enable stakeholders to speak more effectively on the Smithsonian’s 

behalf, and would be closely aligned with both the strategic plan and the national 

campaign.  

Ms. Lieberman said that, to reach new audiences, the Office of Communications 

would develop its digital communications capabilities, make better use of social 

media outlets, redesign its online press room, and improve global communications.  

In addition to supporting the Smithsonian’s historic audience, she said that the 

Smithsonian must engage the next generation of learners, develop new supporters, 

and reach out to international press by offering information through 

communication vehicles familiar to potential stakeholders.  The breadth of the 

Smithsonian’s international presence and the depth of its resources with regard to 

global issues should be clear and accessible.   

Ms. Lieberman spoke of the third communications goal: promoting the 

Smithsonian’s contributions to science.  She said that her office was facilitating 

access to the Smithsonian’s scientific work by launching a new Smithsonian science 

Web site, initiating quarterly briefings for science journalists, and creating a science 

communications team.  She said that the office now had a press secretary who was 

responsible for coordinating communications about the Smithsonian’s science 

initiatives to the news media.  She noted that the anticipated launch of a science 

Web site in July 2009 also would elevate the public’s understanding of the 

Institution’s resources.  She reported that the first briefing with science journalists 

was held in April 2009 and was well‐received.  Ms. Lieberman also said that a new 

science communications team within her department was working to bring well‐

informed, digital information to underfunded press, in addition to the Congress, 

donors, and other stakeholders.  She added that two staff were currently shooting 

videos of Smithsonian scientists at work in Panama.  

Engaging stakeholders as Smithsonian ambassadors, the fourth communications 

goal, was next discussed.  Ms. Lieberman explained that a stakeholder 

communications operation had been created to improve communications and to 

increase outreach to stakeholders, such as staff, the Congress, members of the 

Smithsonian’s governing and advisory boards, donors and volunteers.  She 

emphasized the importance of the branding initiative, stating that it would 

strengthen and clarify the Institution’s messages, as well as enable stakeholders to 

advocate better for the Smithsonian and expand its reach.  Internal 

communications initiatives included moving the staff newspaper from a monthly 

paper‐based publication to a weekly interactive electronic format, Web‐casting the 

Secretary’s quarterly meetings with staff, and redesigning the Smithsonian’s 

intranet, which will be launched in the fall. 

Measuring Progress Ms. Lieberman said that the Office of Communications had made significant 

progress with regard to the communications recommendations found in 

governance goal number 16.  She said that, although it could be difficult to measure 

and quantify, progress on the Smithsonian’s communications initiatives was being 

assessed through surveys, media analyses, and Web analytics, among other things.  

She said the office was buoyed by the Secretary’s support but mindful of the need to 

continue to refine, enhance, and advance the Smithsonian’s communications 

initiatives.  She also thanked the Board for its ongoing support for and advocacy on 

behalf of the Smithsonian.   
7 

Communications

and the Office of

Government Relations

Office of Government Relations Director Nell Payne then provided an overview of 

her office, including the core activities in which it engaged, the landscape in which it 

operated, the challenges and opportunities it faced, and the goals it advanced.  Ms. 

Payne explained the underlying purpose of the Office of Government Relations was 

to help the Institution reach its goals by increasing the Federal government’s 

appreciation for the Smithsonian’s critical contributions to the nation.  She noted 

that increased support from the administration and Congress could lead to 

increases in critically needed Federal funding.  She also said that, because the Office 

of Government Relations was a centralized office that handled the government 

affairs work for the entire Institution, the efforts of the Congressional Regents and 

liaisons were essential to the successful initiatives of her office. 

Government Relations:

Challenges and

Opportunities

Ms. Payne then reviewed the political landscape in which the Office of Government 

Relations operated, including the challenges and opportunities it faced.  She noted 

that, because of the economic and political challenges facing the country, the 

administration and the Congress had less time to understand the Smithsonian’s 

complexities and issues.  At the same time, the Institution continued to operate 

under heightened Congressional scrutiny.  During a period of global economic 

upheaval and uncertainty, the essential nature of the nation’s museums, arts, and 

cultural organizations had come under question.  Constrained Federal budgets had 

resulted in staff and budget cuts throughout all Federal agencies.  Many politicians 

were focused on addressing the needs of the constituents who had elected them, 

yet the Smithsonian was not any one person or agency’s constituent.  She said that 

the Smithsonian had to consistently and continually prove itself. 

Ms. Payne reported that, regardless of these challenges, the Smithsonian was 

finding and continued to develop new opportunities and relationships in the 

Congress and the Obama administration.  Ms. Payne said that affection for the 

Smithsonian remained strong and overtures from its leadership were well‐

received.  She said that the Institution’s branding initiative would support efforts by 

the Office of Government Relations to present coherent and compelling reasons for 

the government to both provide support to and solicit the resources of the 

Smithsonian. 

Core Activities Ms. Payne provided an overview of the core activities of the Office of Government 

Relations.  Noting that time would not allow her to discuss the full scope of her 

office’s initiatives, she said that all of its activities were conducted to promote and 

protect the Smithsonian, prove its relevance, and assure its accountability.  

Examples of activities included working with Congressional Regents and liaisons on 

Smithsonian‐related issues; supporting the Smithsonian’s annual Federal budget 

request briefings; and working with Congressional appropriations committees.  Ms. 

Payne noted that much of her office’s work was devoted to behind‐the‐scenes 

activities, such as preparing Smithsonian witnesses for Congressional hearings and 

ensuring that key Congressional stakeholders and other government agencies were 

provided with accurate and up‐to‐date information about Smithsonian‐related 

news, issues, and events. 

Goals Next Ms. Payne reviewed the three overarching goals of the Office of Government 

Relations, noting that the intention of each was to increase existing Federal funding 

for the Smithsonian; identify new sources of Federal funding for the Institution;  
8 

promote the resources, expertise, and relevance of Smithsonian staff and their 

work; and identify new collaborative relationships that could provide for 

opportunities to improve the work of the Smithsonian.  She outlined the three 

goals: create new opportunities to engage with the Obama administration, expand 

the Smithsonian’s relationships with additional Congressional committees, and 

increase the engagement of the Smithsonian’s Regents, advisory board members, 

and unit directors with the Congress and the Obama administration. 

Ms. Payne said that the Office of Government Relations would create new 

opportunities with the Obama administration by identifying the administration’s 

key priorities that would benefit from the Smithsonian’s expertise.  Examples 

included the Smithsonian’s leadership role in climate change research, the 

Institution’s global observatories program, and its highly regarded science 

education program.  She said that the Smithsonian would engage with relevant 

cabinet secretaries to explore and develop new partnerships that could advance 

these common agendas, as well as promote the Smithsonian’s art, history, and 

culture resources that identify, express, and preserve the American identity.  Ms. 

Payne noted that the Secretary’s anticipated meeting with Secretary of Energy 

Steven Chu would include a discussion about developing an exhibit on climate 

change at the Department of Energy’s headquarters to teach youth about everyday 

activities that protect the environment.  Expanding the Smithsonian’s relationships 

with Congressional Committees, such as those with oversight responsibilities for 

the nation’s education, energy, natural resources, and science, was a key priority of 

the Office of Government Relations.  To support these relationships, Ms. Payne said 

that her staff constantly engaged with committee chairs and key staff, monitored 

committee agendas, suggested witnesses, and conducted briefings and tours, 

among other things. 

Ms. Payne said that new funding sources would be identified and additional 

collaborations would be pursued to support these engagements.  She reported that 

the Smithsonian’s Office of Sponsored Projects, which had a robust system for 

attracting and identifying Federal and private grant opportunities, was working 

closely with the Office of Government Relations to provide a comprehensive 

tracking system of grant opportunities that could be accessed by all Smithsonian 

staff.  Ms. Payne also said that the overarching narratives that would result from 

Smithsonian’s branding initiative would support the Smithsonian’s efforts to 

advance its relationship with the Obama administration and the Congress, and 

demonstrate that the Institution was much more than a collection of museums on 

the National Mall. 

Ms. Payne also discussed efforts to increase the engagement of the Smithsonian’s 

Regents, advisory board members, and unit directors with both the Congress and 

the administration.  She reported that her office made concerted efforts to match 

the interests and expertise of these key stakeholders, citing the off‐site joint House 

subcommittee hearing on climate change that was scheduled for the next day at the 

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland.  She also 

spoke of “elevator opportunities” and the importance of the Regents’ ability to use 

impromptu conversations as opportunities to promote relationships with the 

Smithsonian, and commented on the efforts of her office to provide spokespersons 

with information that would support such conversations. 
9 

Measuring Success Ms. Payne closed her presentation by stating that the most obvious measure of her 

office’s success was a positive trend in Federal funding.  Second to that, the number 

of briefings, tours, trips, and meetings conducted by the Office of Government 

Relations on behalf on the Smithsonian demonstrated the success of its initiatives.  

Ms. Payne said that her office actively sought out stakeholder feedback and would 

welcome more ideas about ways to measure and improve upon the activities of the 

Office of Government Relations. 

Regents’ Discussion of

the Communications

Presentation

Board Chair Patricia Stonesifer thanked Ms. Lieberman and Ms. Payne for their 

presentations and asked the Board for comment.  Senator Leahy spoke of 

Smithsonian Web sites’ ability to help inform visitors in advance of their trips; he 

also commented on the uneven quality of the Smithsonian’s different Web sites.  He 

suggested a number of ideas to enhance the Smithsonian’s primary public site, 

including the introduction of exhibition Web cams, weekly notices of special events 

and activities for visitors, interactive activities for children, and highlights of recent 

scientific discoveries. 

Ms. Lieberman acknowledged that the quality of the Smithsonian’s Web site did not 

always reflect the high communications standards to which the Smithsonian 

aspired.  She said some units’ Web sites were excellent but others were difficult to 

navigate and visually confusing.  She also said that navigating between different 

Smithsonian Web sites could be problematic.  Ms. Lieberman reported that, 

although there was not a recognized Webmaster for the entire Smithsonian, she 

and Chief Information Officer Ann Speyer were leading a Web and new media 

strategy committee, the purpose of which was to address the recognized limitations 

of the Smithsonian’s Web site, among other issues.  She added that the committee’s 

recommendations would be provided to the Secretary by the end of the month.  Ms. 

Lieberman also said that interim measures had been taken to improve the Web 

sites for the public and employees, and that the public Web page recently benefitted 

from the addition of a regularly updated calendar.  Secretary Clough noted that the 

Smithsonian’s Web site would be used to introduce the results of the strategic plan.  

Mr. Sant commented that the Smithsonian’s communications plan might need to be 

refined in response to the strategic plan, including its revised mission statement 

and themes. 

Regarding initiatives to highlight new Smithsonian discoveries, Dr. Frost cautioned 

that, in an effort to put out regular bulletins of new findings, the Institution might 

risk trivializing some of its work if the scope, context, and relevance of the 

discoveries were not made clear.  The Board discussed the difference between 

communications about important new discoveries made by Smithsonian staff and 

interesting stories and facts about the Smithsonian. 

The growing use of banner headlines on Web sites was discussed.  Ms. Lieberman 

told the Board that the Smithsonian’s current Web site had one banner that 

changed daily and three that changed each week and said that more might be 

added. 

In response to Senator Leahy’s comments about visitors’ use of the Web to organize 

trips prior to their departure, Secretary Clough said that the Smithsonian’s Web site 

should support the development of broader “learning journeys” that included, but  
10 

not be restricted to, visits to the Smithsonian’s museums.  He spoke of the Web’s 

potential to support visitors’ planning and research activities in advance of their 

trips; to guide visitors to more resources, including collections and staff expertise, 

upon their arrival; and to support ongoing access to the Smithsonian’s resources 

when visitors return home.  Acknowledging that many people might never be able 

to conduct a physical visit to the Smithsonian, the Board also discussed the critical 

importance of the internet to those who could only access the Smithsonian’s 

resources through virtual visits.  Ms. Stonesifer emphasized that the ability to 

provide first‐rate virtual access to the Smithsonian would be critical to efforts to 

establish the relevance and accessibility of the Smithsonian to the entire nation. 

The Board discussed the use of targeted tours that were dependent on both 

expressed interests and allotted time.  Dr. Kurin noted that the Smithsonian was 

involved in such activities, including some that provided linkages between different 

museums via the Web, pda devices, and text messages.  He cited a current 

collaboration with local institutions in honor of the bicentennial of Abraham 

Lincoln’s birth.  He said that the initiative was intended to support a coherent 

exploration of the many local sites related to the life of President Lincoln, and said 

that the results of that communications effort were being reviewed.   

Ms. Stonesifer asked for specific recommendations to further strengthen the 

Smithsonian’s relationship with Congress, particularly with respect to pending 

negotiations on the Smithsonian’s Federal budget.  The Congressional Regents were 

very supportive of the enormous strides that the Institution had made over the 

previous two years.  Mrs. Matsui commented that members of Congress regularly 

asked for updates on and stated their support for the Smithsonian.  She expressed 

her appreciation for the efforts to keep the Congressional Regents apprised of 

Smithsonian activities, including issues that could be of particular interest to the 

Congress and the press.  She added that Secretary Clough’s numerous visits to 

engage stakeholders had benefited the Smithsonian and that, given the economic 

and governance challenges that the Smithsonian had faced, it was exceptionally 

well‐positioned. 

Ms. Lieberman thanked the Board for their support and engagement.  She noted 

that the efforts of the Congressional Regents had been especially essential at this 

time in the Institution’s history.  Ms. Stonesifer added that contributions of the 

Congressional liaisons also had been tremendously important.  Ms. Lieberman 

requested ongoing help in developing relationships between the Smithsonian and 

government leaders, and asked that the Congressional Regents and their staff set up 

and participate in meetings between the Secretary and strategic members of 

Congress and the Obama administration.  She also confirmed that improving the 

Smithsonian’s Web sites would be a primary focus for her office over the next year. 

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 

Report on

International Travel

and Collaborations

The Secretary opened his presentation by discussing international trips he recently 

had conducted on behalf of the Smithsonian.  He said that the purpose of the visits 

had been to become familiar with several sites in the 90 countries around the world 

where the Smithsonian had a presence, as well as to become better informed about 
11 

specific issues that would be the subject of impending decisions.  He described his 

trip to Las Campanas Observatory in the southern portion of the Atacama Desert in 

Chile and said that a number of important telescopes used by Smithsonian 

researchers were located on the site.  He also said that the Observatory would host 

the future Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) that was under development by an 

international team of scientists that included Smithsonian staff.  He reminded the 

Board of its recent decision to support, in principle, the Smithsonian’s involvement 

in the GMT initiative, and said that his visit to the Observatory included visits with 

current and prospective GMT partners.  Secretary Clough also commented on his 

visit to Mpala Research Centre in Kenya, the site of a research partnership between 

the Smithsonian and Princeton University.  He said that his visit included, among 

other things, discussions about the future governance of this important science 

preserve, as well as the effect of encroaching communities on the protected site and 

the species that live there. 

With regard to protected habitats and species, Secretary Clough noted that he had 

signed a memo of understanding with the World Bank on a critical initiative to 

protect Asian tigers and their habitat, the potential extinction of which was now 

viewed as an international crisis.  He said that the important project would be 

generously funded by the World Bank and would provide $5 million annually for 

five years to provide training and to set policies around the world to protect the 

tigers’ habitat.  He added that the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s 

receipt of $25 million in funding for its research activities represented another 

example of the Smithsonian’s capacity to raise funds to support its research 

initiatives. 

Donor Cultivation

Events

Secretary Clough spoke of the numerous trips he had made across the United States 

in preparation for the national campaign.  He said that his visits to Boston, 

Minneapolis, Omaha, Philadelphia, and San Francisco included successful meetings 

with current Smithsonian donors and provided for opportunities to cultivate future 

supporters. 

Strategic Planning

Update

He then provided a progress report on the strategic planning initiative.  The 

Secretary said that the first two phases of the strategic planning process 

(information planning and scenario‐based planning) had been essentially 

completed.  He said that meetings with key stakeholders and unit directors had 

been held at the end of phase two, and that the substantive feedback from those 

discussions would inform phase three, the writing of the plan.  He said that Office of 

Policy and Analysis would guide the strategic planning process towards its 

conclusion and draft the final plan.  He also reported that the Strategic Planning and 

Programs Committee would review and provide its final comments on the draft 

plan in late July 2009 and that the final plan would be presented to the Board at its 

September 2009 meeting.  The Secretary also said that a fourth phase, the 

implementation of the strategic plan, had been added to the strategic planning 

process.   

Process Plans for

2009 and 2010 and the

Secretary’s Fiscal Year

2009 Organizational

Goals  

The Regents were directed to a chart in the Board’s agenda books that provided a 

graph of the parallel and overlapping pan‐Institutional processes that were under 

way at the Smithsonian: the development of a strategic plan, the implementation of 

the strategic plan (including the alignment of units and an organization study), the  
12 

development of the Smithsonian’s Federal and Trust budgets, the development of a 

national campaign, and the development and implementation of management 

performance standards.  The chart also included other Smithsonian‐wide 

initiatives, such as its digitization plan, branding initiative, Web strategy, and the 

revitalization of the Arts and Industries building.  It demonstrated how many of the 

Smithsonian’s processes inform, complement, and control the progress of other 

parallel and overarching initiatives. 

The Board then reviewed a series of charts that supplemented the overview of the 

Smithsonian’s key processes.  The Secretary explained that, with the use of the 

internet‐based collaborative program Microsoft SharePoint, the charts were able to 

provide detailed, up‐to‐date reports on the Smithsonian’s progress towards 

meeting the Secretary’s 11 organizational goals for fiscal year 2009.  He said that 

the charts were readily accessible to the Secretary’s management team and could 

be made available to the Regents. 

Legislative Update Secretary Clough said that, although units as small as the Smithsonian had not been 

able to participate in the Federal budget hearings, he had had the opportunity to 

participate in a one‐on‐one meeting with Representative Norman D. Dicks (D‐WA), 

the Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations 

Subcommittee.  The Secretary said that he felt that the Smithsonian’s case had been 

favorably received.  He added that the entire Subcommittee came to the 

Smithsonian several months before for a four‐hour meeting with the Smithsonian’s 

leadership.  He said that he was cautiously optimistic about the Smithsonian’s 

Federal budget, that it had been marked up in the House, and that Office of 

Government Relations Director Nell Payne would provide the Regents with a more 

detailed report later in the meeting.  

The Secretary also reported that, after a number of meetings, Senator Dianne 

Feinstein (D‐CA) had agreed to revise the language of the Legacy Fund to allow for 

more fund‐raising possibilities.  He said that the changes would benefit the 

renovation of the Arts and Industries building, and included in‐kind funds and 

exhibit maintenance endowments.  In addition, Senator Feinstein agreed to update 

the Fund’s language and allow the Smithsonian to go back and capture previous 

years’ funding. 

He then gave an update on the issue of asbestos in Smithsonian facilities.  The 

Secretary said that the Smithsonian was making steady progress to address the 

asbestos findings that had been the subject of prior Congressional hearings.  He 

said that the contracting process was under way to select an independent 

contractor to conduct a comprehensive study of the problem and report its findings 

to the Office of the Secretary.  The Secretary also reported that new asbestos‐

related issues had arisen involving dust in certain collections areas in the National 

Museum of American History.  He said that, although small amounts of asbestos had 

been found in the dust, extensive air‐quality measurements had not found any air‐

born asbestos safety problems.  He added that the Smithsonian would continue to 

carefully study and clean other rooms in the Museum. 

Update on Stimulus

Spending

Regarding the stimulus funds provided for the Smithsonian, Secretary Clough 

reported that the Institution was on track to meet the expectations for spending its 

stimulus funds and generating jobs.  He said that, although only 50 percent of 
13 

stimulus funds had to be obligated by June 15, 2009, the Institution had in fact 

obligated 72 percent of its work by that date.  Moreover, bids for the Smithsonian’s 

projects had come in under budget, resulting in an unanticipated increase in 

available funding 

. 

Update on Senior

Management

The Secretary welcomed new General Counsel Judith Leonard and commented on 

her extensive experience in government agencies and academic institutions.  He 

reported progress on the search for the new Under Secretary for Science, noting 

that the process was still open, a robust pool of candidates was being cultivated, 

and interviews were under way.  He said that interviews for the next director of the 

Office of Facilities Engineering and Operations also were being conducted. 

The Secretary then reported that a significant gift from a member of the Board of 

Regents would provide for the creation of a temporary senior‐level position to 

oversee a pan‐Institutional education initiative.  A Director of Education would 

establish consistent and rigorous standards for the educational programs in 32 

Smithsonian units.  He said that a position description for a term appointment was 

being written and would be directed towards educational experts skilled in the use 

of new media.  He also asked that the Regents recommend candidates for 

consideration. 

Night at the Museum:

Battle of the

Smithsonian

The Secretary said that the premiere of the film Night at the Museum: Battle of the

Smithsonian had been very successful and that the Institution had received its 

initial allocation for royalty fees.  Noting that other proceeds were tied to box office 

receipts in the United States, he said that those sales had just surpassed  

$150 million and that, as per its contract, the Smithsonian would now receive an 

additional $250,000. 

Visitors, Exhibits, and

Programs

Secretary Clough reported that visitorship to the Smithsonian’s museums was up 

by two million over the previous year and that restaurant revenues were up about 

23 percent.  He said that new exhibitions had opened in nearly every Smithsonian 

museum and that many had received excellent reviews.   

The Board was reminded that the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which annually 

draws about one million visitors, was scheduled to open in two days.  The Secretary 

said that the 2009 festival would feature Giving Voice: The Power of Words in

African American Culture; Wales Smithsonian Cymru; and Las Américas: Un Mundo

Musical/The Americas: A Musical World.  The Secretary also commented that the 

2009 festival was personally meaningful because he was of Welsh descent. 

The Secretary concluded his presentation by directing the Regents’ attention to two 

items that each had received: a CD with a downloadable screensaver of images of 

baby animals recently born at the National Zoological Park and a USB flash drive 

with digitized images from the Smithsonian’s collections.  He noted that nearly all of 

the animals were members of endangered species and could also be viewed via live 

Web cams.  Secretary Clough explained that the USB flash drive provided an 

introduction to the digitization process and a sampling of the Smithsonian’s 

digitization efforts to date. 
14 

NEW DISCOVERIES 

Introduction Ms. Stonesifer reminded the Regents that during their last Board meeting they had 

discussed the role of science at the Smithsonian.  She said that she had invited 

Acting Under Secretary for Science Charles Alcock to continue that discussion by 

reviewing recent discoveries and research that reflected the enormous scope of the 

Smithsonian’s scientific resources.  She noted that these discussions would inform 

the Smithsonian’s strategic plan and welcomed Dr. Alcock.  

Dr. Alcock thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak about the Smithsonian’s 

science initiatives.  He noted that the Smithsonian’s science activities supported the 

fourth Smithsonian organizational goal for fiscal year 2009: to advance the 

Smithsonian’s mission by encouraging and producing outstanding research in the 

sciences, history, arts and culture that builds upon Smithsonian collections and 

areas of intellectual expertise.  He directed the Regents to two documents in their 

agenda materials, saying that he would discuss highlights from both, as well as 

inform the Board of a late‐breaking announcement about one of the Smithsonian’s 

science initiatives. 

Discovery of

Homo floresiensis

Dr. Alcock first discussed a story about the Homo floresiensis skeletal remains 

discovered on Flores Island, Indonesia, in 2003.  Nicknamed the “hobbits” because 

of their diminutive stature and relatively large feet, the extinct population might in 

fact have been mankind’s last surviving relative.  Dr. Alcock said that the skeleton 

shed new light on the evolution of bipedal gait.  He also said that the remains 

presented more of a mystery than a discovery because of its implications about the 

dispersal of hominin into Asia.  

Smithsonian

Leadership in Studies  

of the Universe

Dr. Alcock discussed the Smithsonian’s leadership in studies of the universe and the 

recent discovery of a previously unknown, large‐impact basin on Mercury.  He said 

that the discovery had been made by a partnership of National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration (NASA) and National Air and Space Museum scientists using 

NASA’s MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging 

(MESSENGER) spacecraft.  Dr. Alcock noted that the early images reflected an 

impact history similar to that of the earth’s moon, as well as multiple stages of 

volcanic and tectonic activity. 

Dr. Alcock next spoke of Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) scientists’ 

involvement in searches for planets that orbit stars other than the earth’s sun.  He 

reported that SAO scientists and collaborators had found over 350 known planets 

to date using several SAO‐pioneered methods, such as the “transit” method that 

detects the very small reduction in light that occurs as a planet passes across the 

face of its parent star.  He said that the ultimate goal was to find planets the size of 

earth in the habitable zones of stars, and said that it was possible that such a 

discovery could be made within the next two years. 

Dr. Alcock then reported late‐breaking news from NASA, which had announced that 

a team of Smithsonian scientists had been selected to partner with Lockheed Martin 

in one of two “Small Explorers” space missions.  He said that the Interface Region 

Imaging Spectrograph mission, which had been selected from a pool of over 40  
15 

proposals, would study the sun’s corona, including the source of its heat and the 

role of magnetic rays in the heat’s distribution. 

He then commented on the effect of solar activities on the earth, citing disruptions 

of radio communication.  Dr. Alcock said that studies of the universe, and in 

particular the sun, contribute to scientific research on other issues, such as climate 

changes on earth.  He spoke of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s 

(SERC) important study of increases in levels of carbon dioxide in air and water 

over the past four to five decades.  He said that SERC’s research demonstrated that 

carbonic acid, which resulted when carbon dioxide combined with water, inhibited 

the development of carbonic shells.  He explained that the disruption of carbonic 

shell growth had the potential to impact not only water‐based ecosystems but the 

entire chain of life on earth.   

Science Collaborations

and Universal

Applications

Offering additional examples of collaborative activities and the application of 

Smithsonian science to other fields of study, Dr. Alcock spoke of the pan‐

Institutional effort to determine the precise cause of the January 15, 2009, downing 

of US Airways flight 1549 at LaGuardia Airport in New York City.  He explained that, 

while it had been quickly ascertained that bird strikes were the source of the 

aircraft’s engine failures, it was the work of Smithsonian researchers at the 

National Museum of Natural History, the National Zoological Park, and the Museum 

Conservation Institute that established that three migratory, not local, Canada 

geese had been involved in the crash.  He said that this finding would inform future 

efforts to mitigate bird collisions with aircraft.  

Dr. Alcock concluded his presentation by noting that the luncheon lecture by Scott 

Wing, Curator of Fossil Plants at the National Museum of Natural History, also 

would demonstrate how the results of scientific studies could be applied to other 

fields of research.  He said that Dr. Wing would discuss his research on the fossil 

records of ancient global warming and the application of those studies to current 

research on climate change. 

Discussion of Dr.

Alcock’s Presentation

and the Benchmarking

of Scientific Research

Ms. Stonesifer thanked Dr. Alcock for his presentation and invited comment from 

the Regents.  The Board engaged in a discussion about the Smithsonian’s scientific 

resources, the Institution’s position in global science initiatives and the potential 

contributions it could make, the need to develop the world’s understanding of and 

access to the Smithsonian’s resources, and the evaluation or benchmarking of 

scientific research and initiatives. 

Dr. Alcock said that Smithsonian scientists and senior staff, as well as scientists 

around the world, wrestled with the issue of how to best evaluate scientists’ work.  

He said that Smithsonian scientists were largely evaluated by the quantity of 

articles they had published in high‐impact journals.  Dr. Alcock proposed that the 

Smithsonian apply process‐based citation analyses as the primary tool to 

benchmark the work of its scientists, adding that modern media tools would 

facilitate this effort.  Ms. Stonesifer commented that it would be interesting to 

conduct a review next year of citations that result from the science initiatives 

discussed by Dr. Alcock during his presentation. 

A substantive discussion ensued about citation analysis standards.  Dr. Alcock said 

that different fields of research produce different quantities of papers, and that 
16 

citation numbers therefore carry different meanings in different fields.  Dr. Jackson 

added that the hierarchy of journals, from scholarly to popular, should also be 

considered.  She then discussed the application of the Hirsch number, or h‐index, to 

measure both the scientific productivity and the apparent scientific impact of a 

scientist’s work, explaining that the h‐index weights a career that produces many 

consistently cited papers against a career that results in fewer but often‐cited 

papers.   

Questions about the utility and importance of research activities were discussed, 

especially with regard to limited budgets and reductions in available research 

funding.  Dr. Jackson stated that many innovations come to fruition after an 

extended period of research and development, noting that current applications of 

nanotechnology were based on research conducted over 30 years ago.  She said 

that this issue posed important questions about the role and nature of science at 

the Smithsonian, including its contributions to larger scientific initiatives, its 

propagation into larger society, and its influence on Smithsonian exhibits and 

curatorial activities. 

Secretary Clough noted that the strategic planning process had included asking 

several peer institutions and Federal agencies to provide their opinions on what the 

Smithsonian’s science should be.  He said that the groups, which included NASA, the 

United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, had noted the unique capabilities of many 

Smithsonian scientific resources. 

Dr. Córdova commented on the special role that Smithsonian scientists held in 

carrying out the Institution’s mission and the need to also assess researchers’ 

ability to contribute to the Institution’s educational and public outreach initiatives.  

She noted the ability of science to inspire people through the use of popular media, 

and said that such communication vehicles also can measure the impact of 

scientists’ work.  Secretary Clough added that the communications strategies 

discussed by Ms. Lieberman demonstrated the Smithsonian’s commitment to the 

wide dissemination of its scientific research and resources.  

Ms. Stonesifer concluded the discussion by recommending that the Board and the 

Strategic Planning and Programs Committee continue to lead discussions about the 

role of science at the Smithsonian.  She noted that the strategic plan and its themes 

would inform how the Smithsonian engages in, as well as measures, its future 

science initiatives.  She added that the impact of the Smithsonian’s science activities 

would be reviewed in depth in the first and second quarters of 2010, in order to 

provide time for the next Under Secretary for Science to become familiar with, 

assess, and report to the Board on his or her findings. 

REPORT OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE 

Introduction Investment Committee Chair David Silfen presented the report of the Committee.  

Mr. Silfen noted that investment reports were typically made on a quarterly basis 

but that the Office of Investments had generated more frequent updates on the 

Smithsonian’s Endowment in response to the volatility of the markets.  He also said 
17 

that, while the economy presented ongoing challenges, this report would be more 

positive than other recent updates because of the relative stability of the market 

compared to conditions six months ago. 

Endowment

Performance

Mr. Silfen said that, as of May 31, 2009, the preliminary market value of the 

Smithsonian’s Endowment was $813.4 million.  He reminded the Board that a 

tactical decision had been made to move the Endowment to a more defensive 

posture in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2008 and reported that, as of 

May 31, 2009, the Endowment’s investments in cash and fixed income had 

increased to 26 percent.   

   

Asset Allocations Mr. Silfen noted that the Endowment’s current asset allocations, while less 

defensive than at the end of 2008, were more conservative than those of peer 

institutions, especially with regard to illiquid exposures.   

Risk Management Mr. Silfen reported that the Smithsonian’s Endowment did not present any liquidity 

issues.  He said that a strategic cash position continued to be maintained and over 

half of the portfolio had daily or monthly liquidity.  He also said that the gradual 

introduction of absolute return strategies and other efforts to further diversify the 

portfolio over time had achieved a significant reduction in risk to the Endowment.  

He noted, however, that although these tactical asset allocations could provide 

better protection during market downturns, the portfolio would lag equity during 

market rallies. 

Financial Accounting

Standard (FAS) 157

He next discussed the application of FAS 157 to the management of the 

Smithsonian’s Endowment.  He reminded the Board that all endowments must now 

adhere to the new accounting standard and “mark to market” their securities.  Mr. 

Silfen noted, however, that the Smithsonian did not appear to have significant 

exposure in its illiquid portfolio.  

Infrastructure Updates Mr. Silfen reported that the Office of Investments, without the use of a search firm, 

had received over 200 applications for two full‐time senior investment positions.  

Many of the applicants were characterized as high‐quality candidates.  In addition, 

he reported that the Office of Investments was working with the Chief Information 

Officer to implement a comprehensive contact and data management system.   

Mr. Silfen then noted that the Committee was preparing to restructure its 

membership to provide for leadership continuity through the staggering of terms.  

He expressed his deep appreciation for the contributions of the current Committee 

members, most of whom had served together over the previous four years, and said 

that one or two new Committee members would soon be proposed to the Board for 

its consideration.  He added that candidates for the Committee would likely be 

drawn from persons who were already affiliated with the Smithsonian. 

Discussion Ms. Stonesifer thanked Mr. Silfen for his exceptional guidance and opened the 

discussion.  Mr. Silfen was asked if the Endowment had experienced any private 

equity capital calls.  Ms. Chen responded that a limited number had recently been 

called, to which Mr. Silfen added that the Smithsonian was in the minority in this 

regard and that calls during distressed times could in fact be beneficial.   
18 

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Committee Chair Roger Sant presented the report of the Finance Committee.  Mr. 

Sant said that he would focus his report on two topics discussed at length by the 

Committee during its June 10, 2009, meeting. 

Proposed Payout Policy

for Fiscal Year 2010

The Committee reviewed the Smithsonian’s Endowment payout policy for fiscal 

year 2010.  Mr. Sant explained that the Smithsonian’s Endowment payout policy 

had been to pay out 5% of the average market value per share over the previous 

five years, which, if applied, would result in an increase in the Endowment’s payout 

for fiscal year 2010.  He reported that, in light of current economic conditions, both 

the Committee and staff were uncomfortable applying this policy to the fiscal year 

2010 payout.  The Committee considered several payout models, concluded it did 

not want to make a formal change to the payout formula at this time, and agreed to 

recommend that the Board freeze the payout at its fiscal year 2009 level.  The 

Committee also agreed that it would review the payout policy again in fiscal year 

2011.  The Board considered the Committee’s recommendation and approved a 

motion to freeze the payout for fiscal year 2010 at the fiscal year 2009 level of 

$38.72 per share. 

See attached Resolution 2009.06.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Refinancing the

Smithsonian’s External

Debt

Mr. Sant then presented a motion to authorize the Secretary to proceed with 

negotiations to refinance the portion of the Institution’s external debt related to the 

Discovery Center at the National Museum of Natural History.  He explained that 

refinancing the debt, which currently was about $34 million, could achieve 

substantial savings, but would require the initiation of a six‐month application 

process with the District of Columbia.  He added that the motion provided that the 

cost of the new debt must be less than that of the existing debt.  In response to a 

question about variable‐rate debt, Mr. Sant said that the external debt related to the 

National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar‐Hazy Center was variable rate–based.  He 

noted, however, that the difference between the rate of return on funds held in 

reserve and the interest cost for that project had in fact proved beneficial to the 

Institution.  The motion was approved. 

See attached Resolution 2009.06.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Forthcoming Review of

the Fiscal Year 2011

Federal Budget Request

and the Fiscal Year

2010 Trust Budget

The Board was reminded that the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2011 Federal budget 

request and fiscal year 2010 Trust budget would be reviewed by the Committee at 

its August 24, 2009, teleconference meeting.  Mr. Sant said that these reviews were 

in support of governance recommendation 22 (which aimed to strengthen the 

Committee’s engagement in the Institution’s budget processes), as well as in 

response to the September 14, 2009, deadline for the submission of fiscal year 2011 

Federal budget requests to the Office of Management and Budget.  Because both 

budgets were expected to incorporate, as best possible, the new priorities being 

identified in Smithsonian’s strategic planning process, Mr. Sant encouraged each 

member of the Board to participate in this important meeting and said that more 

information about the meeting would be forthcoming. 

Session Adjournment Ms. Stonesifer adjourned the morning session at 11:57 a.m.
19 

AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at 1:20 p.m.  

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROGRAMS 

COMMITTEE 

Committee Chair Doris Matsui presented the report of the Strategic Planning and 

Programs Committee and updated the Board on two major initiatives that were 

discussed during the Committee’s June, 8, 2009, meeting.  She also noted that two of 

the three new non‐Regent Committee members, Smithsonian National Board (SNB) 

Chair‐elect Paul Neely and SNB Vice Chair–elect Judy Huret, participated in the 

meeting.  

Proposed International

Museum Training

Program

Ms. Matsui reported that the Committee first had engaged in an extensive 

discussion about the proposed establishment of an international museum training 

program.  She explained that, under the proposed plan, the Smithsonian would 

partner with an outside organization to create internationally based accredited and 

degree‐granting programs in cutting‐edge museum training.  The initiative would 

be launched by a proposed pilot program located in Abu Dhabi and funded by the 

United Arab Emirates.   

Ms. Matsui stated that the Committee said that any international initiative of the 

Smithsonian, and especially those made in partnership with a foreign government, 

must receive the explicit support of the United States government.  The Committee 

concluded that it was premature to either review a business plan or to endorse the 

concept before receiving an unambiguous commitment by the United States 

government to support both the larger museum training initiative and the 

proposed location of the pilot program in Abu Dhabi.  In addition, the Committee 

agreed that such an initiative should not be launched prior to the finalization of the 

Smithsonian’s strategic plan.  Ms. Matsui said that staff had been asked to identify 

and engage the appropriate Government agencies and come back to the Committee 

with an updated report as soon as was practicable.  

Update on the Strategic

Planning Initiative

Ms. Matsui said that the Committee also had discussed the status of the strategic 

planning initiative and that, as the Secretary had previously noted in this meeting, 

the Committee had agreed to delay the presentation of the draft strategic plan to 

the Board until the September 2009 Regents’ meeting.  She said that the Committee 

was very satisfied with the progress on the plan; it also agreed that the plan would 

benefit from the thoughtful integration of the comments received during the 

Secretary’s review of the plan’s initial outline with the unit directors.  Ms. Matsui 

added that the Secretary and the Committee also had discussed the Arts and 

Industries Building within the context of the strategic plan and the development of 

the plan’s mission statements.  Ms. Matsui said that the Committee would meet 

again in July 2009 to provide further guidance on the plan and invited other 

Regents to participate in that process. 
20 

REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL BOARD 

Nomination of New

Members

Smithsonian National Board (SNB) Chair L. Hardwick Caldwell III reported that, 

during their spring 2009 meeting, SNB members had voted to nominate eight new 

members for the approval of the Board of Regents.  He said that, pending the 

nominees’ approval by the Regents during their September 2009 meeting, the 

Smithsonian’s only pan‐institutional advisory board would have 41 members, 17 

honorary members, and 172 alumni from 31 states, the District of Columbia, and 

three countries.  

Fulfilling the Goals

of the National Board

Mr. Caldwell reminded the Board that SNB’s goals were to provide outreach in 

members’ communities on behalf of the Smithsonian, to advise the Secretary, and to 

raise financial resources for the Institution.  He said that as part of its advisory role, 

the National Board supported the Smithsonian’s educational initiatives and, in 

support of its outreach goal, continued to introduce the Secretary into SNB 

members’ home communities.  Mr. Caldwell reported that SNB members hosted 

events for the Secretary in six cities: Los Angeles (with the support of former 

Regent Eli Broad), New York City, Boston (with the support of Regent Alan Spoon), 

the District of Columbia, San Francisco, and Minneapolis.  During the Secretary’s 

visit to Minneapolis, National Board members Michael Francis and Bob MacDonald 

arranged very productive meetings with Target and 3M; the Secretary also was 

interviewed by Minnesota Public Radio and met with local cultural leaders.  Mr. 

Caldwell said that these events renewed ties with the Smithsonian, cultivated new 

support, and built awareness of and established good will towards the Institution. 

Other National Board

Initiatives

Mr. Caldwell reported that new support from SNB members would provide for the 

next phase of the Smithsonian Leadership Development program.  He said that the 

Smithsonian’s strategic planning process continued to benefit from the involvement 

of the National Board, which would help review the plan’s mission and vision 

themes in the coming month.  He said that the National Board was involved in 

several levels of the forthcoming national campaign.  He also reported that the 

SNB’s Board Annual Giving campaign provided unrestricted financial support for 

the strategic planning process, Smithsonian 2.0, interdisciplinary research, and 

collaborative partnerships with local academic institutions.  Mr. Caldwell added 

that SNB members and alumni contribute to the Regents’ committees and reminded 

the Regents that Investment Committee Chair David Silfen also was an alumnus of 

the National Board.   

Leadership Transitions Mr. Caldwell concluded his report by reminding the Board that his term as SNB 

Chair would conclude on October 1, 2009.  He reported that, pending approval by 

the Board of Regents at its September 2009 meeting, Paul Neely would serve as the 

next Chair of the National Board, and Judy Huret and Gary Moore, along with 

current Vice Chair Peggy Burnet, would serve as the next SNB Vice Chairs.  He 

reported that the National Board was unanimous in its support for Mr. Neely, who 

had chaired the SNB Development Committee as well as served as a 12‐year 

member of the Williams College Board.  Mr. Caldwell added that Mr. Neely would 

continue to build on the momentum of the SNB’s initiatives.   

Mr. Caldwell said that it had been a privilege to serve as the Chair of the 

Smithsonian National Board and to participate in the activities of the Board of 
21 

Regents over the past three years.  The Board responded with enthusiastic 

applause in appreciation of Mr. Caldwell’s contributions.   

REPORT OF THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE 

Orientation of New

Committee Members

On behalf of Advancement Committee Chair Alan Spoon, Robert Kogod presented 

the report of the Committee.  Mr. Kogod reported that a substantive orientation 

program had been conducted for three of the Committee’s four new non‐Regent 

members prior to its June 16, 2009, meeting.  He said that staff would create similar 

orientation programs for other Regents’ committees in the coming months, as well 

as develop similar resources for the advisory boards of each Smithsonian unit.   

Planning for the

National Campaign

Mr. Kogod said that much of the Committee’s meeting had been devoted to a 

substantive discussion about the planning process for the forthcoming national 

campaign.  He reminded the Board that outside campaign counsel Marts & Lundy 

and the Smithsonian’s Campaign Director Jenine Rabin had been hired in January 

2009.  He reported that Marts & Lundy had conducted a comprehensive study of 

the Smithsonian’s current fund‐raising capabilities and had provided a preliminary 

assessment to the Committee at its meeting.  

Mr. Kogod said that Marts & Lundy had concluded that the Smithsonian is a unique 

organization that would require a similarly unique campaign and campaign 

infrastructure.  The firm also said that the Smithsonian was well‐positioned to be 

the first cultural institution to complete a capital campaign of over $1 billion.   

The firm noted that the Smithsonian’s fund‐raising program was relatively young 

and, although it had experienced success, was too dependent on securing large gifts 

from relatively few donors.  Marts & Lundy said that this approach did not foster 

the creation of a large and diverse donor base and in fact could present risks to the 

Institution.  The firm consequently provided several suggestions for the 

Smithsonian to consider with regard to a national campaign.  These included 

strengthening the Institution’s donor base through additional prospect screening, 

increasing front‐line fund‐raising staff, improving accountability and metrics, 

increasing the focus of existing staff to major and principal gift fund raising, 

consolidating the service function of membership programs, centralizing gift 

recording and receipting, and improving the technology that supports development 

operations through the conversion to a new database.   

Proposed Campaign for

the Smithsonian

American Art Museum

Mr. Kogod next spoke about the proposed campaign plan for the Smithsonian 

American Art Museum.  He said that Museum Director Elizabeth Broun had 

presented a thoughtful, well‐developed, and professional plan.  The Committee 

suggested some refinements to the proposed plan but agreed that, with these 

changes and in consultation with the Secretary and other senior staff, the Museum’s 

campaign could go forward.  The Committee also recommended that the plan serve 

as a prototype for the creation of other units’ campaign plans.

Fund­Raising Update Mr. Kogod said that Committee members with outside affiliations shared 

observations about the impact of the challenging economic climate on not‐for‐profit 
22 

fund raising.  With regard to the Institution’s fund raising, he reported that for the 

period ending May 31, 2009, the Smithsonian raised $65.3 million, or 54 percent, of 

its fiscal year 2009 goal of $120 million.  He added that some slowing had been seen 

in that month’s fund‐raising results of $5.3 million, but said that the Committee 

remained hopeful that the Institution would reach its fiscal year 2009 fund‐raising 

goal. 

Consideration of

Proposed Actions

The Regents were then asked to consider four action items that had been 

forwarded from the Committee to the Board for its approval: the transfer of funds 

for and creation of a quasi‐endowment for the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, 

the transfer of funds for and creation of a new fund under an existing quasi‐

endowment for Cooper‐Hewitt, National Design Museum; the creation and naming 

of an endowment for the National Postal Museum; and a sponsorship gift 

agreement.  Mr. Kogod said that the Committee discussed the definition of a quasi‐

endowment.  He explained that, whereas an endowment retained its principal and 

distributed the interest on that principal, a quasi‐endowment was a gift to the 

Institution that the Secretary or the Board decided to treat as an endowment, but 

with the understanding that the fund could revert to its original status at any time.  

He then said that none of the proposed actions raised any questions or concerns 

with the Committee.  The Board approved the four motions. 

See attached Resolutions 2009.06.05–08 (Minutes of the Board of Regents,

Appendix A).

Notice of Change in Use

of a Quasi­Endowment

The Board’s attention was then directed to a notice from the Hirshhorn Museum 

and Sculpture Garden regarding the use of proceeds from the Holenia Trust Fund 

for acquisitions and general purposes.  Mr. Kogod reported that the change, which 

did not require the approval of the Regents, was consistent with the original 

unrestricted gift to the Museum from the Trust, as well as with the terms of the 

quasi‐endowment that had been established. 

Discussion Mr. Kogod concluded his report and opened the meeting for discussion.  In 

response to a question about the anticipated length of the forthcoming national 

campaign, Mr. Kogod said that preliminary estimates were that it would be 

conducted over four to seven years.   

REPORT OF THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE 

Overview of Committee

Updates

Mr. Kogod, the Chair of the Facilities Committee, then reported on the issues 

reviewed during the Committee’s June 1, 2009, meeting.  He said that the 

Committee received updates on the search for the next director of the Office of 

Facilities Engineering and Operations, the status of the Arts and Industries Building, 

the progress of six major construction projects, and the Smithsonian’s efforts with 

regard to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Committee also 

conducted its semiannual review of the Smithsonian’s estimated facilities capital 

and maintenance requirements for the next 10 years and received a PowerPoint 

presentation on the Smithsonian’s maintenance program.  Mr. Kogod said that the 

purpose of the presentation was to better inform the Committee about the  
23 

procedures for and monitoring of all maintenance projects throughout the 

Institution.   

Increasing the

Committee’s

Membership

Mr. Kogod reported that the Committee, which had four members, sought to 

augment its membership.  He reported that the Committee had reviewed the 

qualifications of George Hartman, the retired founding partner of Washington, D.C.–

based Hartman‐Cox Architects, for membership on the Committee.  Mr. Kogod said 

that the Committee agreed to recommend Mr. Hartman for the consideration of the 

Regents’ Governance and Nominating Committee with the anticipation that Mr. 

Hartman’s name would be presented to the Board for its approval during the 

Regents’ September 2009 meeting. 

Proposed Lease

Agreement for

the National Postal

Museum

The Regents next considered the Secretary’s request to lease additional space for 

the National Postal Museum and were directed to supporting materials in the 

agenda books.  Mr. Kogod noted that some of the materials had been produced 

subsequent to the Committee’s meeting and, because of the time‐sensitive nature of 

the proposed lease agreement, had not had the benefit of the full Committee’s 

review and recommendation.  He added that, on behalf of the Committee, he had 

conducted due diligence and made a physical inspection of the site. 

Mr. Kogod explained that the National Postal Museum currently occupied, without 

charge, space in the Old City Post Office building, which was owned by the U.S. 

Postal Service and strategically sited adjacent to Union Station.  The Postal Service 

had offered the right of first refusal to lease approximately 9,200 square feet of 

ground‐floor space to the Museum, which has been housed in space that is largely 

below street level.  Mr. Kogod added that the lease for the space under 

consideration would expire in 2011 and that the Museum must exercise its right of 

first refusal before the end of June 2009. 

Mr. Kogod proceeded to outline key factors for the Regents’ consideration.  He first 

noted that if the Museum were to assume the proposed lease, the anticipated 

capital costs would be over $18 million in current dollars.  The costs would be 

expended in three phases, the first of which would cost $10.8 million.  Mr. Kogod 

explained that the Museum’s ability to enter into the lease agreement was 

contingent upon the successful execution of an $8 million gift that had been offered 

toward the outfitting of the new space.  That gift, along with Museum funds already 

in hand, would cover at least the first phase of the project.  Mr. Kogod said that that 

the Committee recommended that each subsequent phase of the initiative only be 

launched when funds are available.   

He then said that projected operational costs for the new space, again in 2009 

dollars, would be about $600,000 per annum, of which the Institution would absorb 

approximately $500,000 on an annual basis.  The remainder of the costs would be 

the responsibility of the Museum.  Mr. Kogod noted that Museum Director Allen 

Kane was confident in the Museum’s ability to raise the remaining funds through a 

capital campaign, and added that the Museum had $2 million in additional existing 

unrestricted gift funds that would be held in reserve to provide for operational 

costs should other funding not become available. 

Mr. Kogod next commented on the possibility of adverse publicity if the proposed 

lease agreement were executed.  He noted that the current establishment at the site 
24 

was popular and that he was aware of at least one other inquiry about the 

availability of the site.  He also said that the space’s current occupants would be 

offered two years to relocate.   

Mr. Kogod concluded his presentation by stating that, in his opinion, the proposed 

lease agreement was a unique opportunity that would transform the Museum and 

allow it to reach its full potential.  It would expand the visibility and accessibility of 

the National Postal Museum and allow for a more comprehensive exhibition of the 

National Philatelic Collection.  He added that, in exchange for a competitive lease 

rate, the Museum would assume the custody of and care for the Postmaster 

General’s Stamp Collection for the length of the lease.  With the Museum’s own 

substantial collection of stamps, as well as the anticipated long‐term loan of The 

New York Public Library’s Benjamin K. Miller Collection, the National Postal 

Museum would house the most comprehensive philatelic collection in the United 

States, if not the world. 

The Secretary commented on the historic generosity of the Postal Service to the 

National Postal Museum.  Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture Richard 

Kurin noted that the Smithsonian’s investment in the agreement, between Federal 

and Trust funds, would be just less than $1 million whereas the Postal Service’s 

commitment would over $3 million.  In addition, the agreement would be in effect 

until 2042 with a subsequent option to extend.  Dr. Kurin added that, next to the 

Federal government, the Postal Service had been the Smithsonian’s second‐largest 

contributor since 1993 in the total value of its contributions.  

The Regents agreed to allow the Secretary to move forward with the proposed 

lease agreement and a motion to delegate to the Regents’ Executive Committee the 

authority to approve the agreement, subject to the conditions outlined, was then 

made and seconded.  The motion was approved. 

See attached Resolution 2009.06.09 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES 

COMMITTEE

Summary of

Committee’s

Achievements  

Committee Chair Roger Sant presented the report of the Compensation and Human 

Resources Committee.  He reminded the Board that, under the leadership of former 

Committee Chair Patricia Stonesifer, the Committee had addressed significant 

process‐based parts of the Institution’s compensation practices, especially those 

that applied to the Smithsonian’s senior executives.  He said that, with that 

foundation in place, the Committee was well‐positioned to advance other forward‐

looking issues and would especially focus on two key areas: diversity and 

leadership development.   

Diversity at the

Smithsonian   Mr. Sant reported that the Committee had discussed its concerns about the 

Smithsonian’s progress with regard to diversity.  He said that the Secretary had 

formed an executive‐level committee to address diversity issues in the Smithsonian 

workplace and asked Secretary Clough to comment on that effort.   
25 

The Secretary said that the committee was largely populated by senior 

administrators but also included members who reflected the diversity of 

professional levels and opinions at the Smithsonian.  He said that everyone was in 

agreement that a diverse workforce should be a top priority for the Smithsonian 

but that the issue could be too easily pushed aside in the face of the day‐to‐day 

problems that confront the Institution.  The Secretary explained that the committee 

was to meet three to four times a year to conduct a robust review of the 

Smithsonian’s progress with regard to diversity and to maintain the Institution’s 

focus on and commitment to the issue.  He also said that the committee would 

consider the issue of cultural change as an aspect of diversity and, to that end, 

would meet with Smithsonian advisory board members who possessed 

professional experience in implementing cultural changes in major corporations 

and non‐profit organizations.  Secretary Clough added that the Smithsonian’s 

dedication to diversity also must be reflected in curatorial activities, including 

collections, exhibitions, and outreach initiatives, that address and express the 

multicultural American identity. 

Leadership

Development

Mr. Sant next discussed the development of the Smithsonian’s leadership, the 

second area identified by the Committee for increased attention.  He commented on 

the Committee’s prior focus on succession planning and said that the reinvigoration 

of the Smithsonian’s leadership development activities had been one of the most 

significant changes in the Institution’s human resources program in recent years.  

Mr. Sant thanked Secretary Clough for his leadership in the creation of a more 

robust and comprehensive leadership development program.  Mr. Sant also 

expressed appreciation for the financial support and personal involvement of 

several Smithsonian National Board members, which had significantly advanced 

the leadership development program. 

Compensation Update Mr. Sant also provided an update on the executive compensation process.  He 

reminded the Board that at its January 2009 meeting it had accepted, based on the 

budget situation,  the Secretary’s proposal that salary increases and cash awards 

for certain Trust executives be frozen.  He reported that, because the Smithsonian’s 

financial situation had not improved, the Secretary had recommended that the 

freeze be maintained.  Mr. Sant said that the Committee concurred with the 

Secretary’s recommendation and that the Secretary would provide the Committee 

with objective criteria with regard to when the freeze might be lifted.   

Completed and Ongoing

Executive Searches

Mr. Sant commented on the successful conclusion of several critical executive 

searches and noted that, since his arrival last year, Secretary Clough had filled five 

of the six key vacancies he had inherited.  Mr. Sant congratulated the Secretary on 

the creation of an excellent management team and noted that the final vacancy, that 

of the Under Secretary for Science, would soon be filled.  The Under Secretary for 

History, Art, and Culture added that the search for the next Director of Cooper‐

Hewitt, National Design Museum, had prompted the interest of several outstanding 

candidates.  

Mr. Sant also recognized the appointments of new directors for the Hirshhorn 

Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Museum of African Art, and the 

Smithsonian Latino Center.  He commented on the energy that each director had 

brought to his or her respective unit.  Mr. Sant concluded his presentation by noting 
26 

that the search process for each of these positions, as well as that for the Secretary, 

revealed that the Smithsonian had surmounted its recent governance problems and 

maintained its reputation as a destination employer. 

FOCUS ON ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY

Introduction to the

Update on the National

Museum of African

American History and

Culture

Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture Richard Kurin introduced a report on

the construction and opening of the National Museum of African American History 

and Culture, noting that it would be the single largest project undertaken by the 

Smithsonian in the years ahead.  He reminded the Board that the Museum’s 

enacting legislation was signed in 2003, its distinguished 19‐member Advisory 

Council was formed in 2004, and, in 2005, renowned public historian and former 

long‐time Smithsonian employee Lonnie Bunch was appointed the Founding 

Director of the Museum.  Dr. Kurin added that the selection of Mr. Bunch had 

brought increased respect for the Institution and instilled confidence in its ability to 

realize this historic project. 

Selection of Museum’s

Architectural Firm and

Design Concept  

Dr. Kurin then asked Mr. Bunch to update the Board on the Museum’s progress.  Mr. 

Bunch said that the recent selection of architectural firm Freelon Adjaye Bond 

represented an important moment for the Museum, second only to the Regents’ 

selection of the building’s site on the National Mall, adjacent to the Washington 

Monument.  He then explained how the architectural firm had been selected and 

what could be seen in their proposed model, which was in the Regents’ Room for 

the Board’s review.  

Mr. Bunch reminded the Board that six of the leading architectural firms in the 

world had been asked to participate in a design competition for the new Museum 

and that the entries had been reviewed by a distinguished group of jurors, one of 

whom was Regent Robert Kogod.  He said that the participating firms had been 

considered for their ability to reflect all of the complexities of African American 

culture and to examine all of the possibilities for the Museum’s site.  He said that 

the selection of Freelon Adjaye Bond had been made in part because it was clear 

that the firm understood the regulatory process in Washington, D.C., and the 

challenge of working with historians.  The firm also grasped the importance of 

crafting a signature, and green, building for the National Mall.  Mr. Bunch noted that 

that the bronze‐clad building would juxtapose neatly with, but not compete against, 

the Washington Monument.   

Stating that the model on display represented the firm’s concept, but not final 

design, for the Museum, Mr. Bunch discussed the ideas that had especially excited 

the reviewing committee.  He said that the firm’s concept for the new Museum 

expressed the resiliency and permanent presence of the African American 

community, as well as the optimism and spirituality that have sustained its 

development.  Mr. Bunch said that feelings of spirituality and optimism were 

expressed in the design’s upward thrust, which evoked images of uplifted arms, 

such as those seen in African American spiritual gatherings and celebrations.  The 

design also suggested the stately coronas, or crowns, found in West Africa and West 

African sculpture, which inferred both an African presence and the continuity and  
27 

strength of that lineage.  Mr. Bunch said that another important element in the 

firm’s concept was its elongated plinth and references to the important social role 

of porches in African American and Southern communities.   

Summarizing the strengths of the winning submission, Mr. Bunch said that Freelon 

Adjaye Bond’s concept successfully addressed the cultural and contextual issues 

that the future building must express, showed that the building would enhance the 

National Mall and not compete with the Washington Monument, and demonstrated 

that the firm could design a building that would successfully function as a museum.  

He noted again that the model represented a concept, not a final design, and that 

elements would change as work progressed.  Mr. Bunch said, for example, that the 

long plinth would likely be shortened and a stronger landscape would be created to 

provide for better linkage to the Washington Monument.  He also said that the final 

design would provide enhanced visitor services at the western end of the 

Smithsonian’s buildings on the National Mall.   

Mr. Bunch reported that both national and international reaction to the design had 

been overwhelmingly positive.  He said that architectural critics had expressed 

their optimism that the building could represent the successful addition of another 

signature building in Washington, D.C.  

Mr. Kogod then commented on the design competition process and the quality of 

both the jury and the firms that participated.  He said that all six teams had been 

prequalified, had strong professional reputations, and were capable of executing a 

project of this scope.  In reviewing the submissions, the jury agreed that the 

winning concept addressed the building’s needs as both a standalone structure and 

in context to neighboring buildings.  Moreover, the concept was the sole entry that 

successfully mediated changes in the site’s terrain and provided the same level of 

entry from either Constitution Avenue or the Mall by integrating internal grade 

changes.  Mr. Kogod also noted that there had been substantial consensus within 

the jury and that the design had strongly resonated with each nearly every 

member.  

Building the

Museum’s Collection

Mr. Bunch next spoke of the development of the Museum’s collections.  He reported 

that over 8,000 objects, some as large as a 1920s Jim Crow–era segregated railroad 

car from Tennessee, had been collected over the past two years for the Museum’s 

collection.  Mr. Bunch said that the success of this effort had allayed early fears 

about potential difficulties in developing a comprehensive collection, adding that he 

continued to travel the country to cultivate interest in the Museum and to acquire 

objects for its collection.   

The Regents were then shown two objects that recently had been donated to the 

collection: a letter written by Frederick Douglass to Booker T. Washington and the 

signatures of former slave Josiah Henson.  Mr. Bunch explained the historical 

significance of each and noted that they came from a family collection in 

Washington, D.C., the longtime home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.  The letter 

from Douglass was written two days before his death and included ideas about 

ways to increase opportunities for African American productivity.  Mr. Bunch said 

that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s famous novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was based on the life 

of Josiah Henson, who had learned to write only after he had escaped to Canada.  He 
28 

said that the signatures were examples of the former slave’s early attempts to sign 

his name. 

Museum Programs,

Collaborative Activities,

and Continuing the

History of Living

Culture

Dr. Kurin then spoke of the Museum’s efforts to develop exhibitions and public 

programs.  He commented on the collaborative efforts between the Museum and 

other Smithsonian units, outside museums, educational institutions, and other 

organizations, and cited such projects as collecting African American oral histories 

with StoryCorps, the travelling exhibition Let Your Motto Be Resistance, and 

Smithsonian Folkways’s release of A Voice Ringing O’er the Gale! The Oratory of

Frederick Douglass Read by Ossie Davis.  He added that these collaborations 

provided opportunities for other Smithsonian museums to look at their collections 

and consider whether or not certain objects would be best served by being loaned 

to the new Museum or jointly exhibited.  

Dr. Kurin then spoke of another Frederick Douglass connection.  He told the Board 

that, prior to the fire of 1865, the area just outside of the Regents’ Room had once 

been part of the largest lecture hall of its time in Washington.  He said that the hall, 

which had been built to seat 2,000 people, had been used by the Washington 

Lecture Association to host a series of lectures in 1861 and 1862 by renowned 

abolitionists.  The lectures had been attended by luminaries such as President 

Lincoln, and created a great stir in Washington, D.C., and among the Regents with 

divided loyalties over the Civil War.  Frederick Douglass had been scheduled to be 

the final speaker for the series.   

Dr. Kurin also noted that support for the tradition of African American oratory and 

oral histories could be seen in the Folklife Festival that was to begin on the National 

Mall.  He said that one of the Festival’s themes, “Giving Voice,” would illustrate the 

importance of the oral tradition in African American culture and would provide 

another opportunity for the new Museum to have a living presence on the Mall. 

Expansion of the

Museum’s Advisory

Council

The Board was thanked for its April 2009 decision to approve the expansion of the 

Museum’s Advisory Council from 19 to 35 members.  Dr. Kurin said that this change 

would significantly increase the Council’s ability to raise private funds, as well as 

provide for the founding members’ ability to continue their service until the time of 

the Museum’s opening.  He also said that the recent meeting of the Museum’s 

Advisory Council had been notable for, among other things, the members’ 

enthusiasm for the selected concept for the building.  He said that the Council was 

energized by the prospect of using the design plans in private fund‐raising efforts 

directed towards potential donors and corporate communities. 

Funding the Initiative The Board discussed funding for the new Museum.  In response to a question, Mr. 

Bunch said that the new Museum would be funded by approximately $250 million 

in Federal funds and $250 million in private funds, although it would not be an 

exact one‐to‐one match.  Some of the funds would be raised in the Smithsonian’s 

upcoming national campaign.  He said that the Smithsonian would seek as much 

Federal funding for the Museum as possible for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 and that 

construction would commence only when enough money was in hand to fund the 

uninterrupted construction of the building.  Noting that the construction was 

anticipated to take about two to two‐and‐a‐half years, Mr. Bunch said that he was 

optimistic that the Museum would break ground in late 2011 or early 2012 and that 
29 

construction would be completed in late 2014, after which the building would be 

outfitted and exhibitions would be installed.   

Mr. Bunch was asked about the guidelines that determined the project’s overall 

budget.  He said that the budget was based upon projected construction costs that 

had been reviewed and supported by outside consultants.  He added that he did not 

want to advance a plan that exceeded the Museum’s ability to raise funds and said 

that limiting the budget would control cost overruns.  He also was asked about the 

size of the proposed structure in relation to other Smithsonian museums on the 

Mall.  Mr. Bunch reported that the new building would be about 320,000 square 

feet in size, as compared to the 380,000 square feet of usable space found in the 

National Museum of the American Indian and the 580,000 square feet of the 

National Museum of American History.  The Museum, as planned, would be sizable 

but shorter than most buildings on the National Mall. 

Secretary Clough noted that receptions had already been held with outside 

regulatory groups who would review the building’s design at a later date.  He noted 

that, although these groups did not yet have to render their opinions, the early 

engagement of and robust discussions with these groups would support the design 

review process. 

Cultivating Support for

the New Museum

Ms. Stonesifer concluded the discussion by asking that the Regents host receptions 

for Mr. Bunch in their home communities, just as Smithsonian National Board 

members continued to do for Secretary Clough.  The purpose of these gatherings 

would be to engender interest in and cultivate funding for the Museum, as well as to 

support the development of its collection.  She said that she recently had hosted an 

event in Seattle, Washington, that generated tremendous support for the Museum, 

and that one local organization later inquired about the possibility of hosting a live 

Web cam that could provide updates on the progress of the new Museum’s 

construction.   

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Shirley Ann Jackson presented the 

report of the Committee.  Dr. Jackson reminded the Board that, at the April 2009 

Regents’ meeting, she had reported on the March 23, 2009, meeting of the 

Committee.  She said that the Committee had not met since that time but had 

conducted a mail ballot on a series of motions for the full Board’s consideration at 

this time. 

Appointments to Nine

Smithsonian Advisory

Boards

She reported that the first set of motions consisted of proposed appointments and 

reappointments to nine Smithsonian advisory boards.  Dr. Jackson explained that 

the Office of External Affairs and some of the unit boards requested that the 

Regents consider these out‐of‐cycle appointments so that new and reappointed 

members could be in place for the September and October 2009 meetings of certain 

advisory boards.  She said that the Committee had recommended the approval of 

each motion, noting that one regarded a request by the National Museum of 

American History to appoint Ms. Matsui to its board, where she would join fellow 

Regent Senator Thad Cochran.  Dr. Jackson noted that other Regents with current or 
30 

recent ties to unit boards included Phillip Frost, Roger Sant, and Alan Spoon, as well 

as newly appointed Regent David Rubenstein.  The Regents approved the motion. 

See attached Resolutions 2009.06.10–18 (Minutes of the Board of Regents,

Appendix A).

Appointment of David

Rubenstein to the

Finance Committee

The Board next considered a motion to recommend the appointment of Mr. 

Rubenstein to the Regents’ Finance Committee.  Dr. Jackson said that the 

Committee had consulted with Board Chair Patricia Stonesifer and Committee Chair 

Roger Sant in advance of Mr. Rubenstein’s official appointment to the Board and 

that both had supported the proposed Committee assignment.  She added that Mr. 

Rubenstein had been a guest of the Committee at its June 10, 2009, meeting and 

that Chief Financial Officer Alice Maroni and Under Secretary for Finance and 

Administration Alison McNally had provided him with a baseline understanding of 

the Smithsonian’s financial issues and challenges of particular concern to the 

Committee.  Dr. Jackson explained that this appointment was being expedited so 

that the Committee could immediately benefit from Mr. Rubenstein’s expertise.  She 

added that, in support of the “Duties and Responsibilities of the Regents” 

recommendation that each Regent serve on at least two committees, the Committee 

would propose a second committee appointment for Mr. Rubenstein when all 

Regents’ committee assignments for 2010 were considered during the September 

2009 Regents’ meeting.  The Board then approved a motion to request that the 

Chancellor appoint Mr. Rubenstein to the Regents’ Finance Committee and the 

Chancellor agreed to implement the Board’s request. 

See attached Resolution 2009.06.19 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ISSUES

Fiscal Year 2010

Budget

Director of Government Affairs Nell Payne updated the Board on Smithsonian‐

related legislative activities.  With regard to the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2010 

budget, Ms. Payne reported that it was expected that both chambers of Congress 

would provide an additional $30 million in funding for Smithsonian facilities and 

that this anticipated action reflected a renewed faith in the Smithsonian.  She said 

that the House bill containing the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2010 budget had been 

marked up and would be going to the House floor later that week, during which 

time the companion Senate bill was scheduled to be marked up in both 

subcommittee and full committee and then go to the floor.   

American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act

With regard to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or stimulus bill, she 

advised the Board that Senator Tom Coburn (R‐OK) had released a series of 

criticisms of the Act’s provisions.  She said that Senator Coburn claimed that the Act 

contained $5 billion in wasted funds, including $11.4 million for the National 

Zoological Park.   

Pending Congressional

Actions   Ms. Payne said that Regent designee France Córdova was scheduled to meet with 

the Committee on House Administration on July 22, 2009.  She noted that she was 

optimistic that the House would move swiftly to conclude the nomination of Dr.  
31 

Córdova, who could then participate as a fully appointed Regent in the forthcoming 

September 2009 Board meeting.  She also reported that the Board’s request for 

Congressional authorization to construct a new Smithsonian vehicle maintenance 

facility was still pending. 

Discussion Dr. Clough commented that an anticipated Congressionally mandated increase in 

salaries would negatively impact the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2010 budget and 

result in a payroll shortfall of $6–12 million.  Ms. Payne said that there had been 

some discussion with the appropriations committees about the possibility of 

addressing such shortfalls by redirecting some of the appropriated funds for 

Smithsonian facilities.  Ms. Stonesifer acknowledged the depth of the Smithsonian’s 

needs but also said that, given the poor economy, the Smithsonian was especially 

fortunate in the amount of Federal funding it had been appropriated.  She added 

that, when compared to peer organizations, the Institution was perhaps the best‐

situated arts, history, culture, and science institution in the country at this time.   

REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

Newly appointed General Counsel Judith Leonard was offered the opportunity to 

introduce herself, as well as her vision for the Office of General Counsel.  Ms. 

Leonard thanked the Board for the opportunity to join the Smithsonian’s 

management team and said that she hoped to earn the trust of the Board and 

Smithsonian staff in the coming months. 

Ms. Leonard said that she had received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell 

University, after which she had been awarded a master’s degree in education and 

then a juris doctor degree, both from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.  

She reported that she had worked for two public research universities and most 

recently served for 101⁄2 years as the Vice President for Legal Affairs and General 

Counsel at the University of Arizona, where she had been the principal legal advisor 

and served on the cabinet and advisory group for the University President.  Ms. 

Leonard also said that she had spent 10 years in the Office of General Counsel for 

the United States Department of Education and had worked in the Office of National 

Drug Control Policy in the Executive Office of the President. 

Ms. Leonard said that the Smithsonian Office of General Counsel and her former 

office at the University of Arizona were similar in both staff size and scope of 

responsibilities.  She commented on the strength of the staff in the Smithsonian’s 

Office of General Counsel and its collaborative spirit. 

Ms. Leonard noted her positive vision for the Office of General Counsel.  She said 

that she expected the Smithsonian’s lawyers to generate high quality and timely 

legal advice so that the Institution’s administrative team could accomplish its goals 

during an historically challenging time.  She said that she would advance the shift of 

the Institution’s legal posture from a reactive stance to a position that was both 

anticipatory and collaborative.  She added that she had been recognized previously 

for her ability to promote productivity as well as to support the advancement of 

institutional causes.   
32 

Ms. Leonard said that she planned to devote much of the immediate future to 

orienting herself within the Institution, meeting with staff and other stakeholders, 

and learning more about the Smithsonian’s strategic plan and vision.  She closed 

her remarks by stating that she would always be available to address the Regents’ 

questions or concerns. 

ADJOURNMENT

This meeting of the Board of Regents was adjourned at 2:40 p.m., after which the 

Regents met in executive session.  The executive session was adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, 

G. Wayne Clough 

Secretary 
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

June 22, 2009

APPENDIX A 

APPROVED RESOLUTIONS

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Minutes of the Meeting of April 6, 2009.  

[2009.06.01] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents confers the title of Regent Emeritus on Eli Broad with 

gratitude for the outstanding service he has provided to the Smithsonian Institution.  

[2009.06.02] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves a payout rate of $38.72 per share for all 

Endowment funds for fiscal year 2010.  [2009.06.03] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents authorizes the Secretary to issue up to $40 million in tax‐

exempt bonds through the District of Columbia to refinance the existing debt used to fund 

the Discovery Center at the National Museum of Natural History, provided that the cost of 

the new debt is less than that of the existing debt.  [2009.06.04] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the creation of the Art Libraries Endowment 

for the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, a quasi‐endowment to support the acquisition of 

art‐related books, journals, and electronic databases; art‐related preservation activities; 

and other art‐related programmatic needs.  The Board of Regents also authorizes the 

transfer of funds identified for this purpose.  [2009.06.05] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates a new fund under the Arthur Ross Garden and 

Terrace Endowment, an existing quasi‐endowment, to provide ongoing support for the 

maintenance of the Arthur Ross Garden and the Arthur Ross Terrace, as well as for the 

wrought iron fence bordering the Garden, and for general purposes of the Museum.  

Further, the Regents authorize the transfer of funds identified for this purpose.  

[2009.06.06] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity  

of the late George W. Brett to the National Postal Museum and creates and names The 

George W. Brett Philatelic Publications Endowment Fund, a publications endowment for 

the Museum.  [2009.06.07] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Target Corporation and 

accepts the terms of the sponsorship gift agreement.  [2009.06.08] 
2 

VOTED that the Board of Regents delegates to the Executive Committee the authority to 

approve the terms of a lease agreement to accommodate the expansion of the National 

Postal Museum.  [2009.06.09] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Gilbert H. Kinney to the Board of Trustees of the 

Archives of American Art for a three‐year term effective immediately.  [2009.06.10] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Stuart Bohart and Marissa Mayer and 

reappoints Beth Comstock, Ronald M. Daignault, Madeleine Rudin Johnson, Francine S. 

Kittredge, Claudia Kotchka, Barbara Mandel, Henry R. Muñoz III, and Ruth Ann Stewart to 

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

effective immediately.  [2009.06.11] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Merit E. Janow and Ladislaus von Hoffman to 

the Board of Trustees of the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for four‐

year terms effective September 11, 2009.  [2009.06.12] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Doris O. Matsui, Frederick J. Ryan, and  

Nicholas F. Taubman to the Advisory Board of the National Museum of American History, 

Kenneth E. Behring Center, for three‐year terms effective October 1, 2009.  [2009.06.13] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Bruce Babbitt, Jonathan Fink, and Jeremy 

Sabloff to the Advisory Board of the National Museum of Natural History for three‐year 

terms effective immediately.  [2009.06.14] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Wendy Block and Curtin Winsor III to the 

Advisory Board of the National Zoological Park for three‐year terms effective immediately.  

[2009.06.15]  

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Dorothy Tapper Goldman to the Commission of 

the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a four‐year term effective July 1, 2009, and 

reappoints Judah Best and John T. Kotelly to the Commission for four‐year terms beginning 

July 1, 2009, and January 1, 2010, respectively.  [2009.06.16] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints John C. Stamato to the Advisory Board of the 

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center for a three‐year term effective immediately.  

[2009.06.17] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Raquel Egusquiza, Margarita Flores, Richard 

Marin, and Socorro Vasquez to the Smithsonian National Latino Board for three‐year terms 

effective immediately.  [2009.06.18] 

VOTED that the Board of Regents requests that the Chancellor appoint David M. 

Rubenstein to the Finance Committee.  [2009.06.19]