MINUTES OF THE APRIL 13, 2015, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

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

on Monday, April 13, 2015. The Board conducted morning, afternoon, and executive sessions in the 

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

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

The Chief Justice1

Barbara M. Barrett

Representative Xavier Becerra

Steve Case

Representative Tom Cole

Shirley Ann Jackson

Representative Sam Johnson

Robert P. Kogod 

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

Michael M. Lynton

Sakurako Fisher, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Alan Spoon, Advancement Committee Chair2

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Mr. John Fahey, and Mr. David M. Rubenstein were unable to attend 

the meeting.

Also present were: 

Albert Horvath, Acting Secretary 

Patricia L. Bartlett, Chief of Staff to the Secretary 

Julie Bindelglass, Writer-Editor for the Office of the 

Regents (recorder)

Amy Chen, Chief Investment Officer

Melissa Chiu, Director of the Hirshhorn Museum 

and Sculpture Garden3

Virginia B. Clark, Director of Advancement and 

Philanthropic Giving

David Heil, Assistant to Representative Johnson

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

John Kress, Interim Under Secretary for Science

Richard Kurin, Under Secretary for History, Art, 

and Culture 

John K. Lapiana, Acting Under Secretary for 

Finance and Administration/Chief Financial 

Officer

Judith Leonard, General Counsel 

Evelyn S. Lieberman, Director of Communications

and External Affairs 

Christopher Liedel, President of Smithsonian 

Enterprises

Kevin McDonald, Assistant to Senator Leahy

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

Sean Murphy, Assistant to Representative Cole

Rachel Parker, Deputy Chief of Staff to the 

Regents

Nell Payne, Director of Government Relations 

Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the Regents

Tonya Williams, Assistant to Vice President Biden

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

2 Mr. Spoon participated in the morning session. 

3 Ms. Chiu participated in the luncheon presentation. 
MORNING SESSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION

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

Ambassador Barbara Barrett led the Board’s discussion of revisions to the 

Smithsonian’s spousal travel policy. 

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved changes to the policy on 

travel for the spouse of the Smithsonian Secretary. 

See attached Action 2015.04.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A). 

REPORT OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR

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

9:45 a.m. 

Action 

Between 

Meetings

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

the terms of a sponsorship agreement and a naming for the National Museum of 

American History.

Regent 

Emeritus 

Designation

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board conferred the title of Regent 

Emeritus on Senator Cochran with deep gratitude for the outstanding services he has 

provided, and will continue to provide, to the Board of Regents and the Smithsonian 

Institution. 

See attached Action 2015.04.02 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Minutes of the 

January 26, 

2015, Board 

Meeting

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the draft minutes of the January 26, 2015, 

meeting of the Board of Regents were approved without modification.

See attached Action 2015.04.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE ACTING SECRETARY

Acting Secretary Albert Horvath updated the Board on the Smithsonian’s buildings, 

budget, education initiatives, international programs, and consortia events. Mr. 

Horvath noted that in the past few months he had the opportunity to attend many 

meetings of Smithsonian advisory boards. He also reported that the National Museum 

of African Art presented “The Art of Science: Engaging African Americans in STEAM and 

Workforce Development Opportunities in the Energy Sector,” an event featuring the 

National Museum of African Art Director Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Department of 

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. Mr. Horvath briefed the Board on the Smithsonian 

Immigration/Migration Initiative’s multiyear series “What It Means to Be American” 

highlighting their first event, which featured former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day 

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O’Connor and Girl Scouts USA Chief Executive Officer Anna Maria Chavez, and second 

event, which featured Eddie Van Halen. 

Next, Mr. Horvath updated the Board on construction progress at the National Museum 

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

and the Arts and Industries Building. He also informed the Board that there have been 

no major changes in the budget since the last meeting and that revenue sources are 

performing at or above their projected performance.

He concluded his report by mentioning the opening of the Smithsonian Institution 

Traveling Exhibition Service’s exhibit Rebel, Jedi, Princes, Queen: Star WarsTM and the 

Power of Costume and the Prince of Wales’ visit to the Freer and Sackler Galleries. 

CONVERSATION WITH THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR HISTORY, ART, AND 

CULTURE

Mr. McCarter invited Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture Richard Kurin to 

discuss the Smithsonian’s Cultural Crisis Recovery Initiative (“CCRI”). Dr. Kurin briefed 

the Board on the work of the Smithsonian in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, 

the destruction of libraries in Mali, and New York following Hurricane Sandy. 

Dr. Kurin presented a brief history of the CCRI, stating that it began informally following 

Hurricane Katrina when Smithsonian staff utilized their expertise and experience to 

assist with clean-up efforts. He discussed how the efforts became more formalized 

following the earthquake in Haiti where the Smithsonian worked with the State 

Department, United States Agency for International Development, and military to train 

and assist in cultural heritage preservation efforts. He also mentioned the Smithsonian 

responded to the request from groups working in Mali following the destruction of 

libraries by extremists. Dr. Kurin addressed the Smithsonian’s efforts in the aftermath 

of Hurricane Sandy, providing first aid materials and preserving costumes from the 

Martha Graham Dance Company. 

Dr. Kurin ended his presentation with a brief discussion of current efforts around the 

world. The Board then discussed with Dr. Kurin the next steps in formalizing CCRI. 

REPORT OF THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Steve Case, vice-chair of the Investment Committee, presented the report of the 

Committee. Mr. Case’s report focused on investment results, strategy, and Committee 

membership.

Endowment 

Update

Mr. Case reported that the Endowment had assets of $1.3 billion at the end of 

February 2015. The Endowment outperformed the policy benchmark with a oneyear rate of return of 8 percent. Mr. Case noted that the Endowment growth was 

driven by an increase in the venture capital portfolio. 

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Mr. Case also reported that the Committee reviewed the Smithsonian’s current

investment strategies and Committee members were satisfied with the results. 

The Committee did not recommend any changes to the policies or guidelines. 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMITTEE

Audit and Review Committee Chair Ambassador Barbara Barrett presented the 

report of the Committee. 

IRS Audit Ambassador Barrett reported that the IRS is auditing the Smithsonian for fiscal year 

2012 due to a material diversion of assets reported on the Form 990. The reported 

material diversion was the result of the theft of parking operation revenues at the 

Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center. 

Insurance 

Coverage 

Annual Review

The Audit and Review Committee conducted its annual insurance coverage review. 

Ambassador Barrett informed the Board that the Committee reviewed both the 

scope of insurance coverage and the premiums paid. The Committee found that 

premiums have increased in two areas.

Integrated Risk 

Management 

Ambassador Barrett also reported that the Committee received an update on the 

Smithsonian’s Integrated Risk Management initiative. The Audit and Review 

Committee will continue to monitor cyber-security and other risks to the 

Smithsonian. 

Audit and 

Review 

Committee 

Dashboard

Ambassador Barrett presented the Audit and Review Committee dashboard and 

explained that the dashboard will be used to streamline information and report on 

the progress toward key substantive and procedural goals.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Steve Case presented the report of the 

Committee. 

Advisory Board 

Appointments

Upon motion duly made and seconded, proposed appointments and reappointments to 

11 Smithsonian advisory boards were approved en banc. 

See attached Actions 2015.04.04-2015.04.15 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

Investment 

Committee 

Appointment

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the proposed appointment 

of J. Tomlinson Hill to the Regents’ Investment Committee to serve a term of eight 

years and requested that the Chancellor make the necessary appointment. 

See attached Action 2015.04.16 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A). 

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Acquisition 

Policy

At the January 26, 2015, meeting of the Board, the Board agreed to revisit proposed 

changes to the Smithsonian Institution Policy on Museum Acquisitions at its April 

meeting. Acting Secretary Albert Horvath led the discussion about the revisions. The 

proposed revisions to the Smithsonian Institution Policy on Museum Acquisitions

include adopting the November 17, 1970, threshold for application; providing more 

explicit standards and guidance for determining whether to acquire an object in the 

absence of a complete documented ownership history; and applying the policy to a 

more clearly defined scope of collections. 

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the proposed revisions 

updating the Smithsonian Institution Policy on Museum Acquisitions. 

See attached Action 2015.04.17 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Advancement Committee Chair Alan Spoon presented the report of the Committee. 

Mr. Spoon reported that Smithsonian has raised nearly 77 percent of the Smithsonian 

Campaign goal. The Smithsonian is also on track to reach its annual fundraising goal 

with approximately 60 percent raised to-date toward the goal of raising $200 million in 

fiscal year 2015. Mr. Spoon directed the Board’s attention to the notable gifts and 

grants report included in the meeting materials. 

REPORT OF THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL BOARD

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

Smithsonian National Board (“SNB”). Ms. Fisher reported that SNB Members hosted 

leadership roundtables in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco. 

She also reported that the SNB would host its next meeting April 23-25, 2015, in 

Washington, D.C. The meeting will focus on the Smithsonian’s interdisciplinary 

approach to its collections. 

REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

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

Government Relations. Ms. Payne reported that staff from the United States House of 

Representatives Committee on Appropriations and Unites States Senate Committee on 

Appropriations visited the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal 

and will soon be visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture

construction site. She also reported that the Office of Government Relations continues

to brief Congressional members and staff on the Smithsonian’s budget request. 

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TOUR OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 

AND CULTURE

The Board toured the construction site of the National Museum of African American 

History and Culture. 

LUNCHEON PRESENTATION

During lunch, Director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Melissa Chiu

gave an informal presentation on her vision for the Museum. 

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at approximately 1:30 p.m. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: LONDON

The Board held an executive session to discuss terms for the London project. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” SESSION

The Board also conducted an executive session with the Acting Secretary, the General 

Counsel, the Acting Under Secretary for Finance and Administration, and the Inspector 

General. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 2:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Albert Horvath

Acting Secretary

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APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

APRIL 13, 2015, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves an addition to the policy on travel of the spouse of 

the Secretary of the Smithsonian to include periodic review at the Board or Board committee 

level to determine whether the spousal travel and any related compensation is reasonable and 

consistent with applicable tax laws. The determination by the Board should be documented in 

minutes of the proceedings where it is considered and can be based on review of an external 

reviewer. Where it is determined through an established process that it is in the Smithsonian's 

interest for the Secretary's spouse to accompany the Secretary on travel that does not 

necessarily meet the strict business purpose test for IRS purposes, the Smithsonian will cover 

that expense and treat in accordance with the tax laws. [2015.04.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents confers the title of Regent Emeritus on Senator Thad Cochran 

with deep gratitude for the outstanding service he has provided, and will continue to provide, 

to the Board of Regents and the Smithsonian Institution. [2015.04.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the January 26, 2015, meeting of the 

Board of Regents. [2015.04.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Trevor Fetter, Cathey McClain Finlon, William 

Galloway, Paul Koontz, Jacqueline Mars, G. Jeffrey Records, Jr., John C. Ryan, and Deborah 

Santana to the Smithsonian National Board for three-year terms each, effective October 1, 

2015. [2015.04.04]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints G. Wayne Clough as an honorary member of the 

Smithsonian National Board, effective immediately. [2015.04.05]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Ann E. Berman to the Board of Trustees of the 

Archives of American Art for a three-year term, effective May 1, 2015. [2015.04.06]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints HyeSook Chung to the Advisory Board of the 

Anacostia Community Museum for a three-year term, effective immediately. [2015.04.07]

 

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Scott C. Donnelly to the Board of the National Air 

and Space Museum for a three-year term, effective immediately. [2015.04.08]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Rowland O. Abiodun and J. Peter Pham to the 

Advisory Board of the National Museum of African Art for three-year terms each, effective 

immediately. [2015.04.09]
VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Paula Kerger, John Sall, Marshall Turner, and 

Whitney MacMillan to the Advisory Board of the National Museum of Natural History for threeyear terms each, effective immediately. [2015.04.10]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Elliott Ferguson and David Leavy to the Advisory 

Board of the National Zoo for three-year terms each, effective immediately. [2015.04.11]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Howard Stevenson to the Advisory Board of the 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for a three-year term, effective immediately. 

[2015.04.12]

VOTED that the Board of Regents appoints Eva J. Pell to the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian 

Libraries for a three-year term, effective immediately. [2015.04.13]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Robert M. Chell and Carol S. Feinberg to the 

National Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Science Education Center for three-year terms 

each, effective May 1, 2015. [2015.04.14]

VOTED that the Board of Regents reappoints Murray Hallam to the Smithsonian UK Charitable 

Trust for a three-year term, effective immediately. [2015.04.15]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed appointment of J. Tomlinson Hill to 

the Regents’ Investment Committee to serve a term of eight years and requests that the 

Chancellor make the necessary appointment. [2015.04.16]

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

Institution Policy on Museum Acquisitions. [2014.04.17]

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