MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 28, 2013, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Monday, January 28, 2013. The Board 

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

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

were: 

The Chief Justice 1

Barbara Barrett

Stephen M. Case

Thad Cochran

Shirley Ann Jackson

Sam Johnson

Robert P. Kogod

Patrick J. Leahy

John W. McCarter Jr.

Jack Reed

David M. Rubenstein

Roger W. Sant

Patricia Q. Stonesifer

Sakurako Fisher, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Alan G. Spoon, Regent Emeritus and Advancement Committee Chair 2

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

were unable to attend the meeting. 

Also present were:

G. Wayne Clough, Secretary

Patricia L. Bartlett, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

Claudine K. Brown, Assistant Secretary for 

Education and Access

Amy Chen, Chief Investment Officer

Virginia B. Clark, Director of Advancement and 

Philanthropic Giving

Scott S. Dahl, Inspector General

Barbara Feininger, Office of the Regents Senior 

Writer-Editor (recorder)

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance and

Administration/Chief Financial Officer

Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art,

and Culture

John K. Lapiana, Chief of Staff to the Regents

Judith Leonard, General Counsel

Evelyn S. Lieberman, Director of Communications

and External Affairs

Christopher Liedel, President of Smithsonian

Enterprises

Nell Payne, Director of Government Relations

Eva J. Pell, Under Secretary for Science

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

T.A. Hawks, Assistant to Senator Cochran

Kevin McDonald, Assistant to Senator Leahy

Moira Lenehan-Razzuri, Assistant to Senator Reed

Grisella Martinez, Assistant to Congressman Becerra

Sean Murphy, Assistant to Congressman Cole

David Heil, Assistant to Congressman Johnson

Yves Basset, Scientific Coordinator, Center for 

Tropical Forest Science Arthropod Initiative, 

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute 3

Michelle Delaney, Director, Consortium for 

Understanding the American Experience 3

Eleanor Jones Harvey, Senior Curator, Smithsonian

American Art Museum3

Harry Rubenstein, Division of Political History Chair,

National Museum of American History 3

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

2 Mr. Spoon presented the Report of the Advancement Committee.

3 Dr. Basset, Ms. Delaney, Dr. Harvey, and Mr. Rubenstein participated in special presentations to the Board.
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MORNING SESSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION

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

called to order by Board Chair France Córdova. The Regents discussed the fiscal year 

2012 senior staff performance assessments, a recent audit of senior staff travel, and 

the results of the Regents’ annual self-assessment. The executive session adjourned 

at about 10:10 a.m.

SERIOUSLY AMAZING: BIODIVERSITY IN THE INSECT WORLD

The Board of Regents was joined by staff at 10:15 a.m. The session began with a 

“Seriously Amazing” videoconference presentation from the Smithsonian Tropical 

Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. Introduced by Under Secretary for Science Eva 

Pell, Dr. Yves Basset, entomologist and scientific coordinator for the STRI’s Center for 

Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) Arthropod Initiative, discussed the findings of the most 

comprehensive survey of an arthropod habitat to date. The study was recently 

published in Science, as well as featured on National Public Radio.

Dr. Basset explained that an international team of 102 researchers from 21 countries 

used 14 collecting methods over two years to capture about 130,000 insects from the 

soil to the tree canopies in 12 plots in Panama’s San Lorenzo rainforest. The sorting 

and identification of the arthropods resulted in the finding that a 0.48-hectare plot

hosted over 6,100 different species. Extrapolating from these findings, the 

researchers estimated that the 6,000-hectare rainforest sustains about 25,000 

arthropod species. Because the insects provide a surrogate model for biodiversity, 

the data demonstrate that the diversity of both herbivorous and non-herbivorous 

insects can be accurately predicted from the diversity of plants in a given rainforest 

ecosystem. In addition, further studies will support a better understanding of the 

interactions between arthropod species within such ecosystems, as well as help 

researchers anticipate what could happen to these ecosystems if influenced by such 

factors as climate change.

Dr. Jackson asked if the researchers intend to use their data to study the effects of the 

environment and environmental changes on vegetation diseases. Dr. Basset said that 

data are already being used to study the relationships between the trees in the 

CTFS/Smithsonian Institution Global Earth Observatory (SIGEO) plots and some of the 

living groups directed linked to the trees, such as pests.

Mr. Sant asked if the researchers could determine if the insect DNA baseline they 

established could have been the same 100 years ago. The question, he said, related 

to the possibility of determining an overall decline in the diversity of insect species 

over time. Noting that the analysis of the insects’ DNA began four years ago, Dr. 

Basset estimated it will take about five years’ worth of data to establish a 

contemporary insect DNA baseline; he added that data are also being collected in 
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Papua New Guinea and Thailand. Dr. Pell explained that, unlike ancient plant pollen 

that can be analyzed to explain historical biodiversity, insects do not leave a DNA trail 

to compare against the past. The data from this study, she said, will provide the 

baseline against which future studies can be compared. The Secretary commented on 

the importance of the SIGEO and MarineGEO programs to the study and 

understanding of global change.

Ms. Stonesifer, noting that other organizations are pursuing initiatives comparable to 

the Smithsonian’s work on the Giant Magellan Telescope, asked if research similar to 

the Center for Tropical Forest Science Arthropod Initiative is being conducted 

elsewhere and, if so, how does this initiative measure against such efforts. Dr. Pell 

responded that the CTFS Arthropod Initiative is a unique international effort 

convened by the Smithsonian—it is, she said, the standard. Dr. Pell added that the 

number of authors (102) who collaborated on the study affirms the significance of this 

enormous collaboration.

REPORT OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Introductory Remarks Board Chair France Córdova began her report by congratulating Representatives 

Xavier Becerra and Sam Johnson for their reappointments to the Board. She noted 

that Representative Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma, was recently appointed 

by the Speaker of the House to fill the seat vacated by former Congressional Regent 

Steve LaTourette. Mr. Cole, who was unable to attend the meeting, is a member of 

the Chickasaw tribe, sits on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, and co-chairs 

the Congressional Native American Caucus. Dr. Córdova welcomed his Chief of Staff, 

Sean Murphy. Dr. Córdova also welcomed Barbara Barrett to her first Regents’ 

meeting since her official appointment to the Board. Ms. Barrett attended the 

October 2012 Regents’ meeting by invitation of the Board. 

Dr. Córdova noted that this meeting marked Patricia Stonesifer’s last meeting as vice 

chair of the Board and the Executive Committee, and she expressed her gratitude to 

Ms. Stonesifer for her leadership and guidance. The Board concurred with a round of 

applause. Dr. Córdova said that she and Executive Committee member Shirley Ann 

Jackson look forward to working with the 2013 vice chair of the Board, John McCarter.

Dr. Córdova directed the Regents’ attention to the paper “Outside the Regents’ 

Room,” a compilation of recent news reports about members of the Board. The first 

article, she noted, was about the swearing in of Senator Patrick Leahy as Senate 

President Pro Tempore. His duties, she said, will include signing joint resolutions to 

appoint new citizen Regents. Both Steve Case and Dr. Córdova were highlighted in 

other articles.

Tribute to Senator 

Daniel K. Inouye

The Board considered a motion to express its condolences to the family of the late 

Senator Daniel K. Inouye, an esteemed statesman and longtime friend of the 

Smithsonian. Included in his many contributions to the Smithsonian were his 

authorship of legislation to create the National Museum of the American Indian and 

his support for the development of the National Museum of African American History 

and Culture (NMAAHC). The motion was approved.
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See attached Action 2013.01.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Appreciation for 

Representative Steven C. 

LaTourette

The Board then considered a motion to express its appreciation to Representative 

Steven C. LaTourette, who served as a Regent from January 2011 until his retirement 

from the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2013. Dr. Córdova commented on 

Mr. LaTourette’s strong support for the Smithsonian and astute guidance on its 

Federal budget negotiations with the Congress. The motion was approved.

See attached Action 2013.01.02 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Minutes of the October 15, 

2012, Board of Regents’ 

Meeting

The minutes of the October 15, 2012, Board meeting were presented for approval. 

The minutes were approved without comment or revision.

See attached Action 2013.01.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

The Secretary welcomed new Regent Barbara Barrett and thanked Mr. McCarter and 

Dr. Córdova for participating in the recent Smithsonian National Board (SNB) meeting.

A Great Place to Work Smithsonian staff contributed over $500,000 in the 2012 Combined Federal 

Campaign, surpassing the fundraising goal of $400,000. For the third year in a row, 

the Smithsonian was named one of the best places to work in the Federal 

government, placing third among medium-sized Federal agencies.

Federal Budget Update The Secretary reported that the current appropriations bill pending before the House 

includes $2 million to fund repairs to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. A 

sequestration of Federal budgets appears more likely, and the Smithsonian must 

submit a sequestration plan to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by 

February 7, 2013. Indications are that the Smithsonian’s will soon receive its fiscal 

year 2014 Federal budget passback from the OMB. 

Partnership with the U.S. 

Patent and Trademark 

Office

Secretary Clough reported that an agreement was signed with the U.S. Patent and 

Trademark Office (USPTO) to establish a programming partnership for the Arts and 

Industries Building. The partnership, he said, will support programming about 

innovation and allow the Smithsonian to reopen the building on schedule. 

Trust Budget Update As of December 31, 2012, the Smithsonian raised approximately 43 percent of the 

working national campaign goal. The 2012 Endowment investment return—12.8 

percent—was strong and placed the Smithsonian in the top quartile of similarly sized 

endowments. 

Construction The Secretary reported that nearly all major construction projects are on schedule. 

The construction schedule for Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (CHNDM) 

might be modified to accommodate design changes.

Education Smithsonian education continues to be a growing enterprise. The Secretary 

commented on the second Invention Challenge, which was supported with funding 
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from ePals. Inventions to “help humankind,” which the Secretary characterized as 

sensational, were submitted by 290 teenagers. About 30,000 youth participated in 

the second National Youth Summit at Smithsonian Affiliates across the country. The 

summit was hosted by Ken Burns and focused on the Dust Bowl.

Exhibitions and Symposia The Secretary commented on some of the many Smithsonian exhibitions on display. 

The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s (SAAM) exhibition The Civil War and 

American Art will travel to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Secretary Clough 

thanked Mr. Rubenstein for loaning his copy of the Emancipation Proclamation to the 

NMAAHC for its exhibition Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863, 

and the March on Washington, 1963. The new solar-powered Conservation Carousel 

at the National Zoological Park (NZP) is open, popular, and generating revenue. “The 

Anthropocene: Planet Earth in the Age of Humans,” a symposia supported by the 

Grand Consortia, was very successful. The symposia examined climate change from 

an interdisciplinary perspective that included history, art, culture, philosophy, 

economics, and science.

Awards and Recognitions SAAM Director Betsy Broun received the Olana Partnership Frederic E. Church Award 

for her contributions to American art and culture. National Museum of African Art 

(NMAfA) Director Johnetta Betsch Cole was featured in the December 2012 issue of 

ARISE magazine, which named Dr. Cole as one of its “Top 100 Women Shaping 

Modern Africa”; she also will be profiled in the forthcoming digital video and 

broadcast project Makers, a PBS and AOL series about exceptional women from 

around the world. Two Smithsonian scientists, Tom Watters at the National Air and 

Space Museum (NASM) and Gary Graves at the National Museum of Natural History 

(NMNH), have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement 

of Science (AAAS). The Smithsonian now has a total of 43 AAAS Fellows. Five 

Smithsonian Folkways recordings have been nominated for Grammys, including 

Woody at 100: the Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection. The Smithsonian Channel’s 

program MLK: The Assassination Tapes was awarded two of six awards offered by 

Impact Media Summit, and the Channel’s The Hunt for Bin Laden was noted by the 

Wall Street Journal as one of the 10 “Best of 2012 TV” programs. 

Senior Leadership The new director of the National Portrait Gallery will be announced soon. Search 

committee member Patricia Stonesifer noted that the new hire is a recognized 

historian and commended Dr. Kurin for his leadership of the search process. A search 

firm has been retained to support the selection of the next director of CHNDM. The

search for the next director of the Archives of American Art is ongoing. Molly Fannon 

has been appointed the new director of the Office of International Relations; she will 

lead the office’s efforts to expand its activities.

Visitation The Smithsonian had over 30.3 million visitors in calendar year 2012, the largest 

visitation record for this decade. Digital visitation continues to increase: there were 

nearly 30 million unique digital visitors in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. 

Smithsonian Digital 

Enterprise

The Secretary updated the Board on the Smithsonian’s digital enterprise. One of the 

key priorities identified during the October 2012 directors’ retreat was broadening 

access through digital technology. Although much progress has been made to date, 

the directors agreed that the Smithsonian needs a more focused, coordinated, and 
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strategic direction for the Smithsonian’s digital enterprise.

The Secretary first reviewed how the Smithsonian has traditionally shared its 

content—assets that include research data and complex collections of objects, 

specimens, images, documents, archives, artworks, and living things. The 

Smithsonian’s content, said the Secretary, supports research; it generates the 

questions, analyses, and interpretations that advance understanding of the world. 

Content value is enhanced by the creation of ideas, stories, curatorial activities, and 

other expository frameworks; it is shared through exhibitions, public programs, 

publications, presentations, educational materials, affiliate programs, traveling 

exhibitions, and loans. The global audiences that benefit from Smithsonian content 

include visitors, scholars, educators, students, the media, policy makers, and subjectmatter enthusiasts.

The Secretary then discussed the impact, opportunities, and challenges of the 

Smithsonian’s digital activities. The first step in this process is digitization, which 

increases public access to Smithsonian content, as well as enhances inventory control, 

object preservation, and research. The Secretary noted that not all of the 137 million 

objects and specimens in Smithsonian’s collections need to be digitized. Prioritizing 

the digitization of content must be based on a deep understanding of audiences’ 

interests. The Smithsonian must identify meaningful metrics both to assess what 

digital audiences want and to track the initiative’s progress.

The availability of the Smithsonian’s digital assets, said the Secretary, transforms 

everything the Smithsonian does. Digitization supports dynamic, interactive, and 

collaborative activities. It changes the Smithsonian’s traditional methods of delivery, 

such as exhibitions, and allows the Smithsonian to broaden its reach and share its 

content with new and larger audiences. 

Secretary Clough cited examples of how the Smithsonian engages audiences through 

digital platforms, such as websites, blogs, searchable data bases, and downloadable 

lesson plans. Social media has expanded the Smithsonian’s audience base, and the 

ways audiences engage with the Institution. The Secretary commented on the 

growing use of mobile devices, which soon will outpace the use of computers. 

Smithsonian Affiliates, said the Secretary, will help the Smithsonian understand how 

its messages are received and how they should be shaped.

The Secretary then discussed how the Smithsonian manages its digital enterprise. To 

ensure effective coordination, a pan-institutional executive committee on the digital 

Smithsonian was established. The committee, which includes programmatic and 

delivery leadership, coordinates the messaging of the Smithsonian’s digital 

programming. The committee will address such issues as the development of a public 

access policy. Unit directors are an important part of the internal digital effort, as also 

is the continued engagement of web and new media staff.

With the support of Mr. Case and Steve VanRoekel, U.S. Chief Information Officer and 

NASM advisory board member, an ad hoc external advisory committee was created to 

advise on organizational models, new technologies, and tools for broadening access 

and engagement. It also will support the development of partnerships and 
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collaborations. The committee will meet with Mr. VanRoekel on February 14, 2013, 

to discuss organizational strategies, the selection of target audiences, and revenuegenerating opportunities, among other things. 

The Smithsonian is also learning from peer organizations. Staff have interviewed 

representatives from about 15 museums, archives, and libraries around the world, 

and a monograph is being developed on their research. Museums report more 

challenges in their digital initiatives because of the complexity and culture of their 

organizations and collections. All of the organizations have expressed interest in the 

Smithsonian’s findings and leadership in this effort.

Because the Smithsonian does not possess the necessary internal technological 

resources, it must build sophisticated partnerships and collaborations to advance its 

digital enterprise. To that end, staff have met with representatives from the 

University of Illinois’s National Center for Supercomputing Applications and soon will 

meet with representatives from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Operations. 

The Smithsonian has twice been selected by the highly competitive Presidential 

Innovation Fellows program, which pairs top innovators from the private sector, nonprofits, and academia with top innovators in government. The Smithsonian’s 12-

month collaboration, said Secretary Clough, will be funded with support from the 

Smithsonian National Board. 

The Secretary said that an update will be provided to the Board at its June 2013 

meeting, and that metrics will be developed over the summer.

Discussion Mr. Sant inquired about the initiative’s annual budget. The Secretary said that 

planning efforts over the next several months will help determine the project’s 

requirements. Outside resources, he emphasized, will be needed and collaborative 

partnerships will be sought.

Senator Leahy noted the fundraising potential of the Smithsonian’s digital enterprise. 

One of the people on the external advisory committee, said the Secretary, led

President Obama’s digital fundraising campaign. Ms. Stonesifer said that the 

Smithsonian’s digital enterprise activities demonstrate the “enormous strides” the 

Smithsonian has made in its efforts to restructure and to tap into the best of 

partnerships. She noted that sophisticated partnerships, however, have a cost. In 

order to achieve the initiative’s potential, she said, the Smithsonian must carefully 

assess and develop its in-house capacity and aptitude. 

Mr. Case commented on the positive energy and focus that has been brought to this 

initiative. Mr. Sant noted that, although the Smithsonian’s digital enterprise is in fact 

an expense, in reality it is an important investment in the Smithsonian’s future. The 

payoff, he said, will be significant.

Mr. Kogod asked about the process and timetable for the initiative. Secretary Clough 

said a recommendation about the initiative’s proposed goals and structure will be 

presented to the Board at its June 2013 meeting, after which metrics will be 

developed. With the input of the unit directors, resource needs will be defined by the 

October 2013 Board meeting.
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FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer Albert Horvath 

presented an update on the Smithsonian’s financial status and introduced a new 

financial dashboard. The Board meeting materials included three summaries: 

unaudited year-end results for fiscal year 2012, initial projections for fiscal year 2013 

first quarter, and actual year-to-date financial indicators for fiscal year 2012 with a 

fiscal year 2013 outlook (as of January 2013). The latter was presented in the new 

dashboard format.

Fiscal Year 2012 Mr. Horvath said that the audited fiscal year 2012 results would be completed by the 

end of the week, and highlighted several items in the summary. Federal 

appropriations of $810.2 million were finalized in December 2011, of which $75 

million was targeted for the construction of the NMAAHC. New gifts and sponsored 

research exceeded defined goals and net gain from Smithsonian Enterprises was 

slightly above target. Institutional expenses grew by 1 percent ahead of plan 

compared to revenue growth. Expenditures were conservative heading into fiscal 

year 2013. The Endowment’s market value on September 30, 2012, totaled $1,072.3 

million, reflecting an investment return of 12.8 percent. This return was 90 basis 

points ahead of the policy benchmark.

Fiscal Year 2013

First Quarter 

To date, the Smithsonian has been operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that 

has kept Federal funding flat when compared to fiscal year 2012. Fiscal year 2013 

first quarter results reflect uncertainty about the Federal budget and the ultimate 

impact it might have on the Smithsonian’s operating budget. Private revenues are 

slightly behind plan but management remains optimistic that all private revenue goals 

will be met. Reflecting across-the-board conservatism among Smithsonian units, 

institutional expenses are below budget. As of December 31, 2012, the Endowment’s 

market value was $1.091 billion, a market value increase of $19 million since the end 

of fiscal year 2012.

New Dashboard 

Presentation

The goal of the new financial dashboard, said Mr. Horvath, is to quickly identify 

financial issues for the Board. The Finance Committee, he said, has devoted 

significant time on the development of the dashboard. He added that the complexity 

of the first iteration of the dashboard reflects an attempt to capture two different 

time periods. 

Mr. Horvath highlighted several items in the new dashboard. Uncertainty about 

Federal appropriations was noted in the Revenues category. He said that the 

construction of the NMAAHC, which was in the Capital Projects category, will be 

noted as yellow for its duration because of the project’s complexity. Also included in 

Capital Projects was funding for earthquake repairs. Because it is increasingly 

uncertain that the Smithsonian will receive the $16 million for earthquake repairs that 

was included in the President’s budget, other capital projects might be impacted as 

the Smithsonian addresses damage from the earthquake.

With regard to outstanding debt, Mr. Horvath commented on the Smithsonian’s 

credit ratings. Both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s have reaffirmed the 

Smithsonian’s AAA credit ratings over the past several months. Some rating action 
9

may occur in the future, however, because of uncertainty over the Federal budget. 

Discussion Mr. Horvath said he would welcome feedback on the new dashboard format. Mr. 

Sant requested the inclusion of measures of the Smithsonian’s effectiveness, 

productivity, and overhead as compared to peer organizations. Mr. Horvath 

responded that staff are working “diligently” with an outside consultant to establish 

effective benchmarks for the Smithsonian’s facilities operations expenses. Also under 

development are appropriate benchmarks for other administrative activities, such as 

financial operations; solid, effective data to support these benchmarks are being 

generated. He said that more information will be included in the financial dashboard 

by the end of the fiscal year.

Senator Leahy asked which sectors of Smithsonian Enterprises (SE) are doing well and 

which are not. SE President Chris Liedel responded that advertising continues to be a 

challenge. Although the Smithsonian advertising’s market share was up in the first 

quarter when compared to its competitors, the entire industry dropped 5–5.5 

percent. Catalog sales during the fourth quarter of the calendar year were impacted 

by Hurricane Sandy, and economic uncertainty impacted the travel businesses. 

Nevertheless, he said, advertising is already improving. He noted that he was both 

pleased with SE’s second quarter performance and optimistic about its future. 

Mr. Spoon noted that, in the long term, print advertising will not be a source of 

revenue. Acknowledging this trend, Mr. Liedel responded that SE is quickly moving all 

of its products into digital formats. Ms. Stonesifer commented that the dashboard 

demonstrates a strong positive trend in sponsored research, a great source of 

strength for the Smithsonian.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014 

Federal Budget Update

The Report of the Finance Committee was provided by Committee Chair David 

Rubenstein. He reported that the committee’s focus has largely been on three 

Federal budget issues—the debt ceiling, the continuing resolution (CR), and 

sequestration—and their implications for the Smithsonian. 

The two issues of immediate concern are the CR and sequestration, as the House of 

Representatives agreed to suspend the debt ceiling until mid-May 2013. The CR, 

which holds the Federal budget at fiscal year 2012 levels, is effective through March 

27, 2013. Mr. Rubenstein reported that the impact of a sequestration would result in 

a shortfall of about $41 million, or 5.6 percent, in the Smithsonian’s Federal budget. 

Possible responses to the potential shortfall include a hiring freeze; reductions in 

administrative and non-salary expenses; delayed maintenance and revitalization 

projects; and Smithsonian-wide furloughs, as well as possible museum closures. 

Furloughs and museum closures are considered “last resort” actions. The 

Smithsonian is working closely with OMB to better determine what the Smithsonian’s 

fiscal year 2013 Federal budget would be in the event of sequestration, and a 

sequestration response plan must be submitted to OMB by February 7, 2013. 

Mr. Rubenstein noted that the Board’s winter meeting typically includes discussion 
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and approval of the forthcoming Federal budget submission to Congress, which in this 

case would be the fiscal year 2014 budget. The fiscal year 2014 Federal budget 

submission process has been delayed, he said, because of Congress’s focus on fiscal 

cliff negotiations and it is unclear when it will begin. 

REPORT OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Investment Committee Vice Chair Steve Case updated the Board on the state of the 

Endowment. He reported that, as of December 31, 2012, the Endowment stood at 

$1,091.2 million, an increase of $103.2 million over the last calendar year, and that it 

had exceeded its policy benchmark (12.4 percent versus 10.3 percent). Also, fiscal 

year 2013 performance to date has exceeded the policy benchmark (2.6 percent 

versus 1.7 percent).

Asset allocation targets are almost exactly on track and will continue to be reviewed 

by the committee. Mr. Case noted that Chief Investment Officer Amy Chen and her 

staff closely monitor manager selection, another driver of the Endowment’s 

performance. Mr. Sant commented that, while the Endowment’s five-year trailing 

average exceeded its policy benchmark, the committee continues to review the 

Smithsonian’s payout policy.

REPORT OF THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Update on the National 

Campaign

Regent Emeritus and Advancement Committee Chair Alan Spoon provided the 

Committee’s report. He first presented an overview of the progress and challenges of 

the national campaign, which is still in its silent phase. Fundraising to date is slightly 

ahead of forecast. With 32 percent of the campaign timeline elapsed, 43 percent of 

the campaign working goal has been raised. 

The partnerships between the units and the central Office of Advancement are 

critical, and central staff will continue to help units develop their “big ideas.” 

Endowment gifts that are principally targeted to fund curatorial and research 

positions comprise an aspirational 40 percent of the campaign goal. To date, 32 

percent of gifts received are for endowments and 29 positions have been funded.

Fundraising for the Grand Challenges is in good shape. Fundraising for the Giant 

Magellan Telescope (GMT), however, remains a challenge for both the Smithsonian 

and other participating institutions. New fundraising paths may be explored for this 

important research initiative. Increased focus also will be placed on fundraising for 

digitization.

During the January 14, 2013, Advancement Committee meeting, NMAAHC Director 

Lonnie Bunch reported that $100 million in private funds and $120 million in Federal 

funds have been raised to date for the new museum, which is scheduled to open in 

2015. The new facility will cost a total of $500 million. The Committee commended 

Mr. Bunch for his efforts, which have included new outreach initiatives and 
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membership programs. NMAAHC Council member Kenneth Chenault is leading the 

Council’s fundraising efforts. Mr. Spoon noted that the addition of Ms. Stonesifer to 

the Council also is energizing its fundraising efforts. 

Mr. Spoon then asked Director of Advancement and Philanthropic Giving Virginia 

Clark to share her perspective on the national campaign’s progress, as well as provide 

an overview of individual units’ fundraising efforts. Ms. Clark said that campaign 

activities have focused on three things in the past year: building the Smithsonian’s 

advisory boards, working on gift opportunities, and conducting outreach. Regional 

programs, she said, are a critical part of the campaign. In the past year, campaign 

cochairs Ms. Barrett, Mr. Rubenstein, and Mr. Spoon and 15 members of the 

Smithsonian National Board participated in 25 events in 10 cities across the country. 

These efforts engaged 1,000 people and resulted in the identification of a significant 

number of new donor prospects. 

During the silent phase of the campaign, said Ms. Clark, unit campaign activities 

continue to be reviewed to determine both status and needs. The results of the 

reviews, which change as the campaign progresses, reflect one of three phases: 

advanced, intermediate, and building. The group of units identified as in the 

“building” stage of their campaigns share at least one of the following three 

characteristics: no history of fundraising experience, leadership transitions, and/or

limited donor audiences. Ms. Clark said that these units will especially benefit from 

the public phase of the campaign. The “intermediate” units comprise the largest 

group in the campaign progress review; these units have raised approximately 20–40 

percent of their campaign goals. “Advanced” units have raised 42 percent or more 

towards their campaign goals. Ms. Clark acknowledged the challenges that are being 

addressed during the silent phase of the national campaign but expressed her 

confidence in its ultimate success.

Gift Actions Ms. Clark presented four gift actions for the Board’s approval. One, she noted, was 

from a new donor in support of exhibit space at the National Postal Museum. Also 

presented were the proposed designation of two bequests and a proposed corporate 

sponsorship. The motions were approved en banc.

See attached Actions 2013.01.04–2013.01.07 (Minutes of the Board of Regents,

Appendix A).

Mr. Spoon noted that the committee would soon review a proposed gift agreement 

for the National Museum of American History, which requested the Board’s 

consideration of the proposed agreement in advance of the April 2013 Regents’ 

meeting. He said the proposed agreement would be presented to the Executive 

Committee for consideration on behalf of the Board.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

Appointment of External 

Independent Auditor

Audit and Review Committee Chair John McCarter reported that the committee had 

conducted two meetings, each with executive sessions, since the October 2012 Board 

of Regents’ meeting. On behalf of the committee, he presented its recommendation 
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regarding the selection of an external auditor for the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2013 

financial statement audit. Mr. McCarter noted that the committee’s decision to 

recommend KPMG LLP was based on several factors, including substance, 

qualifications, capabilities, and cost. The Board approved the proposed motion to 

appoint KPMG LLP as the Smithsonian’s external independent auditor for a one-year 

period with four one-year option periods.

See attached Action 2013.01.08 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Update on the Fiscal Year 

2012 Audit

During the two committee meetings, said Mr. McCarter, members met with KPMG 

representatives who reported that, thus far, the fiscal year 2012 audit was clean with 

no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies identified. He added that the audit 

would be completed by the end of the month.

Cash Management Policies 

and Practices

The committee also focused on the Smithsonian’s cash management, said Mr. 

McCarter. Recent incidents, such as the theft of parking fees by employees of an 

external contractor at the Udvar-Hazy Center, led to the decision to engage Booz 

Allen Hamilton (BAH) in a review of all of the Smithsonian’s cash management 

practices. Mr. McCarter reported that the report subsequently released by BAH 

provides recommendations for the development and implementation of a 

Smithsonian-wide policy and process for protecting the Institution’s cash. He noted 

that the report was substantially enhanced by the contributions of Inspector General 

Scott Dahl and Under Secretary for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial 

Officer Al Horvath. Mr. Horvath, who is charged with the execution of the plan, 

reported that a number of BAH’s recommendations will be implemented by the end 

of the fiscal year.

Mr. Horvath noted that the Smithsonian will be increasing its use of electronic 

payment systems.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 12:00 p.m., the Secretary requested a short executive session, after which the 

Board adjourned for lunch.

LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: UNDERSTANDING THE AMERICAN 

EXPERIENCE—FROM CIVIL WAR TO CIVIL RIGHTS

Under Secretary Kurin introduced Michelle Delaney, director of the Consortium for 

Understanding the American Experience, who provided an overview of one of the 

Consortia’s lead initiatives: “Civil War 150—A Commemoration by Smithsonian.” The 

Smithsonian Civil War 150 team, said Ms. Delaney, has used the Smithsonian’s 

curatorial resources and collections to generate activities that recognize the seminal 

events—from the Civil War to the Civil Rights era—that reflect the nation’s struggle 

with the proposition that “all men are created equal.” Their collaborations have 
13

resulted in exhibitions, programming, and teacher resources; online and social media 

resources; and support for Affiliate activities. 

Ms. Delaney then invited Eleanor Jones Harvey and Harry Rubenstein to speak about 

two of the exhibitions that arose from the Smithsonian Civil War 150 project. Dr. 

Harvey, a senior curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), provided 

an overview of The Civil War and American Art, an exhibition she organized and 

curated at the museum. She focused on the use of landscape as a metaphorical 

language used to describe the turbulence of the war years, as evoked in newspapers, 

diaries, poems, sermons, and works of art. Her presentation revealed how those 

varied forms of communication dovetailed to describe the war while it was ongoing.

Mr. Rubenstein, the chair of the National Museum of American History’s (NMAH) 

Division of Political History, presented an overview of the exhibition Changing 

America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863, and the March on Washington, 1963,

which opened on December 14, 2012, in the National Museum of African History and 

Culture gallery at the National Museum of American History. This collaborative 

project between the two museums was curated by NMAAHC Director Lonnie Bunch, 

NMAAHC Curator of Community Life Nancy Bercaw, and Mr. Rubenstein. In his 

presentation, Mr. Rubenstein discussed how these two pivotal events were 

interwoven in the exhibition to not only commemorate these important 

anniversaries, but also to tell a larger history of the nation and its people. 
14

AFTERNOON SESSION

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

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PROGRAMS COMMITTEE

Dr. Córdova said that the Strategic Planning and Programs Committee Chair met on 

January 16, 2013. The committee’s deliberations, she said, benefited this meeting of 

the Board, including the morning discussion of the Smithsonian’s digital initiatives. 

She asked committee chair Shirley Ann Jackson to report on the committee’s 

discussions. 

Dr. Jackson first reminded the Board of the scope of the committee’s oversight 

responsibilities. The committee reviews the pan-institutional exhibition calendar to 

help identify in advance potential sensitivities and/or controversial issues that could

be addressed through thoughtful planning. Dr. Jackson noted that no potential 

controversies were identified by Under Secretaries Kurin and Pell in the last exhibition 

review. In 2012, said Dr. Jackson, the committee also began inviting the two Under 

Secretaries to report on their programmatic initiatives. Assistant Secretary Brown 

discussed education and broadening access initiatives with the committee at its last 

meeting. The committee also was updated on the status of the Hirshhorn Museum 

and Sculpture Garden’s “Bubble” project, major unit director searches, and progress 

on the “Americans All” and “Waterways” consortia projects. 

Extension of 

the Strategic Plan 

The major topic of the last committee meeting, said Dr. Jackson, was consideration of 

a possible extension of the strategic plan to align with the 2017 end date for the 

national campaign. Dr. Jackson reminded the Board that it had approved the six-year 

strategic plan in September 2009, that the Secretary had provided a mid-point report 

to the Board at its October 2012 meeting, and that he had since conducted a 

leadership retreat to discuss the next steps for the plan, including its possible 

extension. Dr. Jackson reported that the committee is generally supportive of the 

proposed extension of the plan but asked that staff develop a modified strategic plan 

framework with recalibrated milestones and goals. The framework could include new 

initiatives that an extension would allow, such as a “Broadening Access” initiative. 

The plan’s four funding pillars also will be reviewed and refreshed. The committee 

expects to review a modified plan over the summer and early fall of 2013 with the 

intention of presenting a formal recommendation to the full Board at its October 

2013 meeting.

Smithsonian/USPTO 

Partnership Agreement

Dr. Jackson next reported on the committee’s oversight of the development of a 

partnership agreement between the Smithsonian and the United States Patent and 

Trademark Office. The collaboration, she said, will tell the story of American 

innovation through different programmatic vehicles at the Arts and Industries 

Building, which will reopen to the public in 2014.

The partnership’s first programmatic initiative will be a June 2013 “Innovation Expo” 
15

at the USPTO’s Alexandria, Virginia, campus. The expo will move into the Arts and 

Industries Building in 2014. Future programming, such as symposia, seminars, 

conferences, workshops, and innovation recognition ceremonies, will be developed 

over the next year. The Smithsonian will be reimbursed up to $1 million per year by 

the USPTO for the programmatic activities; the USPTO also will provide about 

$6.5 million for the interim use of the facility. Dr. Jackson said that the agreement, 

which is subject to annual renewals, only will extend until 2020, at which time the 

building will be fully renovated and, should Congress so direct, available for the new 

National Museum of the American Latino. The Secretary noted that the partnership is 

a “pay as you go” agreement that will occupy approximately 20,000 square feet of the 

Arts and Industries Building’s 90,000 square feet of available space. Corporate 

support for the partnership’s programming, he said, also is anticipated.

NSRC Name Change Dr. Jackson then presented the committee’s recommendation that the Board approve 

changing the name of the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) to the 

Smithsonian Science Education Center. She explained that the 1987 creation of the 

NSRC, which was jointly administered by the Smithsonian and the National 

Academies, was in response to the 1983 release of the seminal study “A Nation at 

Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform.” Smithsonian management, she said,

proposed the name change to better reflect the center’s focus on education and its 

affiliation with the Smithsonian, as well as the fact that the National Academies no 

longer co-administers the center. Assistant Secretary for Education and Access 

Claudine Brown noted that the end of the Smithsonian’s relationship with the 

National Academies was amicable. 

Mr. McCarter suggested that the center contribute to the development of 

programming on innovation for the Arts and Industries Building. The Secretary noted 

that the center is one of the major partners in the “Americans All” project. Ms.

Barrett asked if the use of an active word, such as discovery, exploration, or 

innovation, in the center’s title might better engage the public and describe its 

purpose. Ms. Brown explained that the center’s focus is on formal education,

curriculum, and strategic planning for states and school districts, and that it only 

recently began to engage with Smithsonian museums’ science education 

departments. The Secretary added that proposed name had been carefully vetted, 

including by the center’s board. Ms. Brown noted that the center is only one of 

several Smithsonian science education units, all of which are engaging in paninstitutional STEM initiatives. Those pan-institutional efforts, she said, will benefit 

most from a more active brand. The motion was then approved.

See attached Action 2013.01.09 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Committee Priorities Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Roger Sant outlined the committee’s 

three priorities for 2013: the search for Regents to replace two outgoing members 

(Roger Sant and Patricia Stonesifer), the strengthening of unit advisory boards, and 
16

the triennial review of the 25 governance reforms adopted by the Board in 2007. The 

search for new Regents, said Mr. Sant, is the committee’s top priority. He then spoke 

of the importance of the Smithsonian’s advisory boards, and commented on their

uneven performance. An outside consultant will be engaged to support the 

systematic strengthening of the Smithsonian’s advisory boards. He also reported that 

the triennial governance review will begin in March 2013.

Advisory Board 

Appointments

Mr. Sant presented the committee’s recommendation that the Board of Regents 

appoint or reappoint members to 17 Smithsonian advisory boards. The motions were 

approved en banc.

See attached Actions 2013.01.10–2013.01.25 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

Bylaw Revisions Mr. Sant presented the committee’s recommendation that the Board approve 

proposed revisions to the bylaws of the National Museum of American History 

(NMAH) Advisory Board. The motion was approved.

See attached Action 2013.01.26 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

2013 Board Committee 

Assignments

Proposed Regent Committee assignments for calendar year 2013 were discussed. Mr. 

Sant noted that, with the exception of new Regents, each Citizen Regent is assigned 

to at least three committees and asked to chair one, and each Congressional Regent is 

assigned to two committees. Newly appointed Regent Barbara Barrett agreed to 

serve on three committees. The Board approved a motion to recommend the 

appointment by the Chancellor of members to Board committees.

See attached Action 2013.01.27 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

New Regent Search Mr. Sant provided an update on the committee’s efforts to identify candidates to fill 

the vacancies that will occur with his and Ms. Stonesifer’s rotations off of the Board. 

Isaacson, Miller has been engaged to help develop and vet the candidate pool. One 

vacancy can be filled by a person who is not a resident of any of the other states 

currently represented by Citizen Regents and the other vacancy must be filled by a 

resident of the District of Columbia. He reminded the Board that, during its October 

2012 meeting, it had approved search criteria to help identify candidates who:

1. can assume leadership roles on the Board;

2. can contribute different viewpoints and perspectives;

3. have had widely respected and distinguished careers in public service;

4. have technology, social media, and communications expertise;

5. have a background in educational outreach; and/or

6. can encourage the development of entrepreneurial initiatives.

Mr. Sant added that the committee also is interested in identifying candidates who 

possess bipartisan respect. The committee anticipates that it will present the names 

of about 20 candidates for discussion at the April 2013 Board meeting and a narrower 

pool of about 10 candidates at the June 2013 Board meeting. Final candidates will be 

presented for the Regents’ consideration at the October 2013 Board meeting.
17

REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL BOARD

Smithsonian National Board (SNB, or National Board) Chair Sako Fisher began her 

report by thanking Dr. Córdova and Mr. McCarter for joining the SNB at its last 

meeting. National Board members, she said, are ambassadors, advisors, and 

fundraisers for the Smithsonian. To maximize their efforts, the SNB is clarifying 

expectations of its members with the goal of achieving 100 per cent participation in 

SNB annual giving, as well as in the national campaign. It also is developing a 

framework to strategically educate and inspire SNB members during their three-year 

terms. Based on the four Grand Challenges, she characterized the framework as 

“pillars of learning.” All aspects of SNB meetings, she said, are designed to deeply 

engage members with Smithsonian initiatives, staff, history, resources, and 

information. Ms. Fisher said that SNB’s regional programs will be profoundly 

impacted by helping SNB members “own” their roles as Smithsonian ambassadors 

and better articulate the broad scope and rich resources of the Smithsonian. Noting 

that the National Board is responsible for a sizeable part of the national campaign’s 

success, Ms. Fisher said that SNB members and alumni have contributed 11 percent of 

the national campaign funds raised to date. 

REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

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

ongoing and new outreach activities generated by the Office of Government Relations 

(OGR). The OGR, she said, interacts on a daily basis with members of the Congress 

and their staff, answering questions and engaging newly elected members. She 

thanked Representatives Becerra and Johnson for sponsoring a recent luncheon in the 

Castle Commons for newly elected members of Congress. It is hoped the event will 

become a routine part of new members’ orientation. The Smithsonian also was 

invited to send its representatives to a new member reception held at the Botanic 

Gardens in late 2012. 

Ms. Payne reported on the office’s electronic outreach initiatives. Two electronic 

newsletters have been launched. One newsletter that is specific to science-related 

issues is sent to 1,300 Congressional staff who are responsible for their offices’ 

science portfolios. A more generalized newsletter about the Smithsonian is 

distributed to 6,500 Congressional chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and legislative 

assistants with arts and culture portfolios.

Few things have more impact than offering opportunities for Congressional staff to 

visit and engage with the Smithsonian, said Ms. Payne. She highlighted several tours 

recently hosted by Smithsonian staff. About 30 Congressional House and Senate 

Transportation Committee staff visited the NMNH feather lab to see firsthand the 

Smithsonian’s contributions to aviation safety. Staff from the offices of Senators Lisa 

Murkowski (R-AK) and Mark Begich (D-AK) toured the National Museum of the 

American Indian’s Cultural Resources Center to see artifacts from Alaska. Forty 

members of Senator Jeff Merkley’s (D-OR) staff took a half-day tour of the NMAH 

political history collection as part of their annual retreat. 
18

Ms. Payne also noted several upcoming events. Representative Johnson helped 

arrange an April 2013 pilot exhibit of Smithsonian artifacts in the foyer of the Rayburn 

House Office Building. It is hoped this will be the first of a series of such exhibits. 

OGR staff also are in the process of planning the third annual Congressional night. 

Sponsored by Nissan, the 2012 event attracted over 1,100 participants, including 20 

members of Congress. The Secretary said that, when introduced to the “Americans 

All” initiative, each member of Congress is eager to share stories of his or her family’s 

immigration and migration experiences. The initiative, he said, offers opportunities to 

“knit” together the diversity of the American people.

ASSESSING QUALITY AND IMPACT: SMITHSONIAN RESEARCH

Dr. Córdova reminded the Regents of their prior request for more information about 

how the Smithsonian assesses the quality and impact of its research, and invited

Under Secretaries Kurin and Pell to discuss how the Smithsonian evaluates its 

scholarship. Dr. Córdova noted that this would be the first of regular updates to the 

Board on this subject.

During this presentation, said Dr. Pell, the Under Secretaries would discuss the 

evaluation of Smithsonian scholarship through publications; awards and recognitions; 

resident and virtual exhibition evaluations; and citations and critical reviews. She first 

spoke of the Performance Accomplishments Evaluation Committee (PAEC), the 

Smithsonian’s strategy to evaluate staff performance accomplishments. PAEC, she 

noted, does not take the place of the standard annual review required of all 

Smithsonian Federal and Trust staff; it is similar to the review practices employed by 

universities. Depending upon their grade, staff are evaluated every three, five, or 

seven years. Lower-grade staff are reviewed every three years to assure that their 

work is progressing in the right direction. The seven-year senior staff evaluations are 

similar to academic post-tenure reviews. Four types of reviews are conducted on an 

annual basis: regular periodic reviews, term reviews for new curators, two-year 

reviews for staff found to be operating below grade, and secondary reviews for 

senior-level staff.

In her opinion, said Dr. Pell, PAEC is a more stringent review process than that 

conducted at universities. The committee is composed of a minimum of four 

Smithsonian researchers plus at least two or three external scholars. In addition, five 

letters of recommendation are required from persons outside of the Smithsonian. 

Each candidate creates a comprehensive dossier that articulates their significant 

accomplishments and achievements during the previous period. The committee, 

noted Dr. Pell, analyzes the professional standing of each candidate but does not 

make specific recommendations with regard to promotion. Findings are submitted in 

writing to the unit director, who makes a determination about the individual’s 

performance and forwards their recommendation to the Under Secretary with 

oversight responsibility. In the science units, said Dr. Pell, 341 staff are subject to 

PAEC reviews. 

Dr. Pell reminded the Regents of her previous discussion about staff publication rates 

in Science, Nature, or the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Each 
19

year, at least 10 percent of PAEC-eligible staff are published in one of the three 

premiere scientific journals in the world. These rates, said Dr. Pell, are very 

impressive. She also presented Thomson Reuters journal citation data from 2012, 

which demonstrated that Smithsonian staff published 1,574 papers, of which 60 

percent were published in the top quartile and 85 percent were in the top two 

quartiles. 

Science academy honors also affirm the quality of Smithsonian research. Seventeen 

staff are members of the National Academy of Sciences, 19 are fellows of the 

American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 43 are fellows of the American 

Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Pell also noted some of the top 100 

science awards and recognitions that have been conferred on Smithsonian staff over 

the last four years.

Dr. Kurin then reviewed the Smithsonian’s assessment of staff scholarship in the arts 

and humanities. He said that the same principles noted by Dr. Pell are applied to the 

arts and humanities: quality scholarship is recognized by professional assessments, 

critical reviews, major awards, professional recognition, publications, and scholarly 

citations. 

There are 173 arts and humanities staff whose work is in some way related to 

research. In contrast to the work of Smithsonian scientists, said Dr. Kurin, the 

responsibilities of these scholars also include the production of exhibitions, exhibition 

catalogs, educational programs, and other activities. Their work is evaluated through 

annual performance plans. Some of the larger history, art, and culture units also 

conduct PAEC reviews.

Critical reviews are an important indicator of these scholars’ success. Dr. Kurin cited 

some of the many Smithsonian exhibitions that have been received strong critical 

acclaim, such as the National Museum of African Art’s African Cosmos: Stellar Arts;

the National Portrait Gallery’s 1812: A Nation Emerges; the Hirshhorn Museum and 

Sculpture Garden’s Song 1/Doug Aitken; and the National Museum of the American 

Indian’s A Song for the Horse Nation, to name a few. The exhibition catalog African 

Cosmos: Stellar Arts also was included in the holiday recommendation list of the New 

York Times. The exhibition catalog for the National Portrait Gallery’s Hide/Seek

exhibition was recognized by both the American Library Association (Stonewall Israel 

Fishman Non-Fiction Award) and Choice magazine (Outstanding Academic Title, Fine 

Arts).

The scholarship reflected in Smithsonian recordings has been recognized through

major awards. Smithsonian Folkways recordings have received numerous Grammy 

Award nominations. Recent Grammy awards have gone to Woody at 100: The Woody 

Guthrie Centennial Collection (Best Historical Album and Best Boxed Package); 

Stephen Wade’s Banjo Diary: Lessons from Tradition (Best Album Notes); Imaginaries

by Quetzal (Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album); and Elizabeth Mitchell’s

Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie (Best Children's Album).

Major website awards, said Dr. Kurin, also recognize Smithsonian research, as also do 

professional honors and recognition. Dr. Kurin cited some of the numerous
20

professional recognitions recently bestowed on history, art, and culture staff. For 

example, Louise Cort, ceramics curator at the Freer and Sackler Galleries, was recently 

awarded the Koyama Fujio Memorial Prize in Japan for her research on historical 

Japanese ceramics and the American Anthropological Association held two special 

sessions in honor of NMAfA Director Johnnetta Betsch Cole. Smithsonian scholars, 

said Dr. Kurin, are regarded as leaders in their fields.

Dr. Kurin noted some of the publications recently produced by history, art, and 

culture scholars. Scientific research, said Dr. Kurin, is often recognized when 

published in one of the three scientific journals cited by Dr. Pell. In contrast, he said, 

the scholars under his purview publish work in a wider range of books, catalogs, 

chapters, and journal articles. Dr. Kurin presented a graph of the Smithsonian’s top 

50 cited scholars from Google Scholar Citations for 2012. The number of citations, he 

said, demonstrates the degree to which outside researchers are following a 

Smithsonian scholar’s work. 

Because many of the Smithsonian’s history, art, and culture scholars also have 

opportunities to contribute to, for example, exhibition and programming activities, 

their work does not easily compare to the research undertaken at universities. 

Comparisons against other museums are more appropriate. In response to a question 

from Mr. McCarter, Dr. Kurin said that the citations of Smithsonian scholarship 

compare favorably with those of other museums, including the Metropolitan Museum 

of Art. He also commented on the impact of base erosion on Smithsonian scholarship 

in the arts and humanities, noting that the top of the citation list is populated by staff 

with longer tenures. 

Discussion Mr. Sant asked how the work of Smithsonian researchers compares against that 

conducted at universities. Dr. Pell responded that the work of Smithsonian scientists 

is comparable to that conducted at academic institutions. She again noted the 

publication rate of Smithsonian scientists in the top three science publication, adding 

that the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is viewed as the leading 

observatory in the world. One of the Smithsonian’s researchers, said Dr. Pell, was 

under serious consideration for a Nobel Prize; Dr. Kurin noted that several MacArthur 

Fellows have been members of the Smithsonian staff. Both the Secretary and Dr. Pell 

agreed, however, that the Smithsonian must work harder at cultivating recognition of

its researchers, such as supporting efforts to be admitted to the national academies. 

Dr. Córdova commented on the benefits of SAO’s relationship with Harvard 

University. She said that partnerships between the Smithsonian and universities offer 

benefits and opportunities that otherwise would not be available to each 

organization. 

The Secretary added that one of the goals of the national campaign is to help create 

endowed chairs that will encourage staff to “lift their sights,” as well as to bring in 

new talent. Mr. Rubenstein asked about the number of endowed chairs at the 

Smithsonian and the cost of funding a chair. Dr. Pell responded that, depending upon 

the unit, it costs about $3–5 million to endow a chair. Ms. Clark estimated that there 

are perhaps only 12 chairs that are currently endowed at the Smithsonian. Dr. Pell 

said that one of the Smithsonian’s recruitment challenges is the fact that its research 
21

salaries are not competitive to those offered by universities. It does, however, offer 

unique opportunities for researchers to immerse themselves in their disciplines 

without teaching obligations. The cushion of an endowment, she said, offers an 

additional enticement to researchers. Dr. Kurin noted that there are certain 

limitations on additional income that can be accepted by staff.

Ms. Stonesifer said consideration should be given to developing measures that 

appreciate differences in how research is disseminated, noting that both increasing

access and advancing scholarship contribute to the advancement of research. Science 

educators, for example, support the work of citizen scientists. Dr. Pell agreed that 

assessing the quality of delivery is important. Mr. McCarter cited the popularity of 

Digging Snowmastodon: Discovering an Ice Age World in the Colorado Rockies, one of 

paleontologist and NMNH Director Kirk Johnson’s nine books, and suggested 

supporting collaborations between children’s book authors and Smithsonian 

researchers.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

General Counsel Judith Leonard said there were no updates to the reports included in 

the advance meeting materials. The Board then adjourned for an executive session at 

3:00 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND HUMAN 

RESOURCES COMMITTEE

During the executive session, Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair 

Patricia Stonesifer presented the committee’s compensation recommendations for 

certain senior executives, including the Secretary. The motions were approved.

See attached Actions 2013.01.28–2013.01.29 (Minutes of the Board of Regents,

Appendix A).

ADJOURNMENT

Dr. Córdova thanked the Regents for their participation. The executive session 

adjourned at about 3:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

G. Wayne Clough

Secretary
APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

JANUARY 28, 2013, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents expresses its profound appreciation to the memory of

Senator Daniel K. Inouye, esteemed statesman and friend of the Smithsonian Institution, and

extends its heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Irene Hirano, and family. [2013.01.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents expresses its appreciation for the contributions of

Representative Steven C. LaTourette to the Board of Regents and the Smithsonian Institution. 

[2013.01.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the October 15, 2012, meeting of

the Board of Regents. [2013.01.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Pfizer Animal Health, a business 

of Pfizer, Inc., to the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service and accepts the terms of the 

sponsorship agreement. [2013.01.04]

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the TurningPoint Foundation and 

Molly Byrne to the National Postal Museum and names the museum’s education mezzanine in 

the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery the Byrne Education Loft for a period of 10 years. 

[2013.01.05]

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

benefit of the National Museum of American History. Further, the Board authorizes the 

transfer of the funds identified for this purpose. [2013.01.06]

VOTED that the Advancement Committee recognizes the generosity of Frank B. Gettings to the 

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and permits the redirection of his bequest in order to 

support projects that expand the museum’s educational program and improve the conservation 

and management of its collection. [2013.01.07]

VOTED that the Board of Regents accepts the nomination by the Audit and Review Committee

and appoints KPMG LLP as the Smithsonian Institution’s external independent auditors for a

one-year period beginning May 2013 with four one-year option periods. [2013.01.08]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the renaming of the National Science Resources

Center to the Smithsonian Science Education Center. [2013.01.09]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Edgar M. Cullman Jr. as vice chair of the Smithsonian

National Board for a three-year term effective immediately. [2013.01.10]
VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Arrington Dixon, Gloria Herndon, Diane ScottJones, and Anas Shallal to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community

Museum for three-year terms effective immediately. [2013.01.11]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Jack Kuo Wei Tchen to the National Advisory Board

of the Asian Pacific American Center for a three-year term effective immediately. [2013.01.12]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Margery F. Masinter to the Board of Trustees of

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum for a three-year term effective immediately. 

[2013.01.13]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Charles Robertson and Linda Mills to the Board of

the National Air and Space Museum for three-year terms effective immediately. [2013.01.14]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Willie Lewis Brown Jr. the Advisory Council of the

National Museum of African American History and Culture to serve until the opening of the

Museum, and such service shall be deemed an initial term effective immediately. [2013.01.15]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Mustafa Jama to the Advisory Board of the National

Museum of African Art for a three-year term effective immediately. [2013.01.16]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Paul Neely to the Advisory Board of the National

Museum of American History for a three-year term effective immediately. [2013.01.17]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints James W. Anderson, Brenda Child, and Lance

Morgan to the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the American Indian for three-year

terms effective immediately. [2013.01.18]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Gabriela Febres-Cordero, David Koch, and Jane

Lubchenco to the Advisory Board of the National Museum of Natural History for three-year

terms effective immediately. [2013.01.19]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Ella Milbank Foshay and Dennis O’Toole to the

Commission of the National Portrait Gallery for four-year terms effective immediately. 

[2013.01.20]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Debbie Frank Petersen and reappoints Elizabeth S.

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

effective immediately. [2013.01.21]

VOTED that Board of Regents appoints David Armstrong and Joyce Pratt and reappoints Jason

Payne to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center for three-year

terms effective immediately. [2013.01.22]
VOTED that Board of Regents appoints James Cerruti to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian

Institution Libraries for a three-year term effective immediately. [2013.01.23]

VOTED that Board of Regents appoints Ginger Lew to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian

Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for a three-year term effective immediately. 

[2013.01.24]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Mercedes Eleta de Brenes and Richard L. Sandor to

the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute for three-year terms effective

immediately. [2013.01.25]

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

Advisory Board of the National Museum of American History, Behring Center. [2013.01.26]

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

member assignments for 2013 and requests that the Chancellor make the necessary

appointments. [2013.01.27]

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

Committee’s compensation recommendations for senior executive positions. [2013.01.28]

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

Committee’s compensation recommendation for the Secretary. [2013.01.29]