____________________________

1 Participated in the afternoon session only

2 Participated in the lunch presentation only 

MINUTES OF THE JUNE 11, 2018, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

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

was held on Monday, June 11, 2018. The Board conducted morning, afternoon, and executive sessions at 

the Smithsonian Institution Building (“Castle”) in Washington, D.C. Board Chair David M. Rubenstein

welcomed Regents and staff and called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. Also present were Regents:

The Chief Justice1

Senator John Boozman

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

Representative Tom Cole

Representative Sam Johnson

Representative Doris Matsui

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett

Steve Case, Vice Chair

John Fahey

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.

Michael Govan

Michael Lynton

John W. McCarter, Jr.

Robert MacDonald, Smithsonian National Board Chair

Christine Udvar-Hazy, Advancement Committee Chair

The Vice President, Senator David Perdue, and Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey were unable to attend the 

meeting. 

Smithsonian and Regent staff present by invitation of the Board were: 

David J. Skorton, Secretary

Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

John Davis, Provost/Under Secretary for Museums, 

Education, and Research

Eduardo Díaz,2 Director of the Smithsonian Latino 

Center

Julie Eddy, Office of Representative Matsui

Kate Forester, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Regents

Susan Fruchter,2 Acting Director of the National 

Museum of American History

Mallory Gianola, Special Assistant to the Regents

Kevin Gover,2 Director of the National Museum of 

the American Indian

Joshua Grogis, Office of Representative Cole

Elliot Gruber,2Director of the National Postal 

Museum

Amanda Hamilton, Office of Representative

Johnson

Lauren Hancock, Office of Senator Perdue

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

Toni-Marie Higgins, Office of Senator Boozman

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance & 

Administration/Chief Operating Officer 

Cheryl Johnson, Director of the Office of 

Government Relations

Judith Leonard, General Counsel 

Julissa Marenco, Assistant Secretary for 

Communications and External Affairs

Era Marshall, Director for the Office of Equal 

Employment and Minority Affairs
2

Michael Atwood Mason,2 Director of the 

Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural 

Heritage

Kevin McDonald, Senior Adviser to Senator Leahy

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

Stephen M. Pinkos,1 Office of the Vice President

Lisa Sasaki,2 Director of the Smithsonian Asian 

Pacific American Center

Robert J. Spiller, Assistant Secretary for 

Advancement

Ellen R. Stofan,1John and Adrienne Mars 

Director of the National Air and Space Museum

Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the Regents

Lori D. Yarrish,2 Director of the Anacostia 

Community Museum
3

MORNING SESSION

Augmented Pay Scale 

for Certain Trust 

Executive Positions

Regents’ Travel 

Reimbursement Policy

Welcome

Recognition of 

Representative Sam 

Johnson

EXECUTIVE SESSION: REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND 

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

The meeting of the Board of Regents began with an executive session. 

Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair John Fahey led the 

Board’s discussion of an updated compensation approach for select Trust 

executive positions. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to 

approve an Augmented Pay Scale for 19 Trust executive positons. 

See attached Actions 2018.06.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

EXECUTIVE SESSION: REGENTS’ TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT POLICY

Governance and Nominating Committee Chair Barbara Barrett led the Board’s 

discussion on the Regents’ travel reimbursement policy. 

The executive session adjourned at 9:54 a.m.

OPEN SESSION

Smithsonian and Regent staff members entered the room and the meeting 

reconvened. Mr. Rubenstein welcomed everyone and called the open session to 

order at 9:56 a.m. 

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Mr. Rubenstein recognized Representative Sam Johnson, who has served as a 

Congressional Regent since 1995 and will conclude his term when he retires from 

Congress in January 2019. Mr. Rubenstein highlighted several pieces of critical 

legislation Congressman Johnson supported during his tenure, including the 

appointment of six Citizen Regents to the Board and capital facilities projects 

related to the National Zoological Park, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology 

Institute, and the greenhouse facility in Suitland, Maryland. Mr. Rubenstein 

expressed the Board’s grateful appreciation for Representative Johnson’s service 

to the country and leadership on the Board.
4

Departure of 

Smithsonian Liaison

Transition of 

Advancement 

Committee Chair

Advancement 

Committee Introduction

Upcoming Special

Events

Consent Agenda

Update on Regional 

Advancement 

Engagement 

Next, Mr. Rubenstein noted that Julie Eddy would conclude her service as 

Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s Chief of Staff and Smithsonian liaison in June

2018. Mr. Rubenstein and Congresswoman Matsui thanked Ms. Eddy for her

service to the Smithsonian.

Mr. Rubenstein then welcomed Advancement Committee Chair Christine UdvarHazy to her first Board of Regents meeting. Ms. Udvar-Hazy succeeds founding 

Advancement Committee Chair, Alan Spoon. She has served on the Advancement 

Committee of the Board of Regents and as a member of the Smithsonian’s Los 

Angeles Regional Host Committee since 2014. 

Ms. Udvar-Hazy shared her two overall goals for the Advancement Committee: (i) 

better acquainting the new Committee members with the breadth and scope of 

the Smithsonian, and (ii) sustaining the current level of fundraising and campaign 

planning. 

Mr. Rubenstein ended the report of the Executive Committee with a brief review 

of three upcoming special events. On June 25, 2018, Mr. Rubenstein will host a 

dinner at the Renwick Gallery of Art for the directors of the Smithsonian, in 

recognition of their work on behalf of the Institution. The Smithsonian will 

participate in the Congressional Dialogues on September 5, a special dinner series

hosted at the Library of Congress. The dinner will focus on science highlighting

the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Astrophysical 

Observatory. Mr. Rubenstein noted that the second Advisory Board Chair 

Symposium will be held in conjunction with the Board of Regents’ annual meeting 

of advisory board chairs.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda (“Agenda”) was presented for the Board’s approval. 

Mr. Rubenstein reviewed the Agenda. Action items listed on the June 11, 2018, 

Agenda include: the draft minutes of the April 9, 2018, Board meeting; the 

appointment and reappointment of candidates to 13 Smithsonian Advisory 

Boards; amendments to the Bylaws of the Smithsonian Science Education Center; 

and the approval and naming recognition for one gift. Upon motion duly made 

and seconded, the Board voted to adopt the Agenda, constituting the approval of 

all action items listed therein.

See attached Actions 2018.06.02 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Advancement Committee Chair Christine Udvar-Hazy provided the Board with an 

update on advancement activities across the Smithsonian and post-Campaign 

planning. Ms. Udvar-Hazy reported that the Committee will continue to 

strengthen the Smithsonian’s presence regionally and connect volunteers more 

effectively on a national basis through Regional Councils in ten major US cities 
5

Proposed Creation of a 

Quasi-endowment

Questions on Written 

Committee Reports

Report of the Facilities 

Committee

Facilities Capital and 

Maintenance Programs

Renovation projects at 

the NMNH

and a central Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will provide 

feedback and leadership in planning national advancement activities to expand 

visibility and philanthropy for the Smithsonian.

Next, Assistant Secretary for Advancement Rob Spiller presented one action item 

for the Board’s consideration: the creation of a quasi-endowment. The Board of 

Regents is responsible for approving the establishment of quasi-endowments, 

generally for amounts of $50,000 or more. At its meeting on May 8, 2018, the 

Advancement Committee voted to recommend that the Board create a quasiendowment to support the mission of the National Museum of African American 

History and Culture (“NMAAHC”). Although the quasi-endowment is below the 

$50,000 threshold, the museum anticipates that in the future additional funds will 

be added. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to approve 

the proposed creation of the quasi-endowment.

See attached Actions 2018.06.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

QUESTIONS ON WRITTEN COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Rubenstein reminded the Board that in an effort to maximize time for topics 

requiring Regent attention, Regent committee chairs and Smithsonian staff were

asked to submit their reports in writing, unless a topic requires action or 

substantial discussion. The reports were distributed in advance of the meeting 

and committee chairs and Smithsonian senior staff were present to answer 

questions from the Board.

Written Report of the Facilities Committee

The Facilities Committee met on May 3, 2018. During the meeting, the 

Committee received updates on the facilities capital and maintenance programs, 

three major revitalization projects at the National Museum of Natural History 

(“NMNH”), and the progress of the Smithsonian’s major capital projects. The 

Committee was also briefed on the status of the revitalization of the National Air 

and Space Museum (“NASM”). 

The Committee was briefed on the Smithsonian’s facilities capital requirements as 

well as investment needs for maintenance and repairs. In fiscal year 2018, the 

Institution’s need for a significant increase in the capital appropriation was 

recognized and supported. The Smithsonian received nearly $312 million for 

capital, of which $198 million was earmarked for the National Air and Space 

Museum Revitalization.

The Committee reviewed progress on major revitalization projects at the National 

Museum of Natural History, including: gallery infrastructure and capital 

improvements of Halls 2-6 and the Fossil Hall Exhibit; the status of the Southside 

Improvements project, which includes making the National Mall entrance ADA 
6

NASM Revitalization

Report of the 

Investment Committee

Report of the Strategy, 

Innovation, and 

Technology Committee

Report of the 

Smithsonian National 

Board

compliant and refurbishment of the steps, plaza, and portico; and an update on 

the interior first and ground floor café spaces that are part of the West Court 

Revitalization.

The Committee also received an update on the NASM revitalization. The final 

funding increment of $10 million to complete the Dulles Collections Storage 

Module 1 was received in the fiscal year 2018 appropriations. The facility will 

provide collections storage space for artifacts that must be relocated out of 

NASM during the multi-year revitalization. The Smithsonian completed its 

obligations for external reviews and in early 2018 the revitalization project was 

approved by both the US Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital 

Planning Commission.

Written Report of the Investment Committee

The Investment Committee met on March 21, 2018, and reviewed the Investment 

Portfolio, Factor and Asset Allocation Analysis, Manager Concentration, and 

Portfolio Implementation and Operations. The Committee voted to approve the

adoption of private equity and private real asset commitment ranges for 2018 

and the recommended changes to the Policy Benchmark.

Written Report of the Strategy, Innovation, and Technology

Committee 

The Strategy, Innovation, and Technology Committee met in person on June 10, 

2018. During the meeting, the Committee received an update from the 

Provost/Under Secretary for Museums and Research John Davis on new 

exhibitions, programming, events, and education and outreach programs. The 

Committee also reviewed the upcoming exhibition calendar. The Committee 

hosted a strategic discussion about the Smithsonian strategic plan goal of 

reaching 1 billion people a year with a digital-first strategy, and participated in a 

case study focusing on the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative.

Written Report of the Smithsonian National Board

The February and April 2018 meetings of the Smithsonian National Board (“SNB”) 

focused on two key institutional priorities: membership and leadership. During 

the February meeting, SNB focused on the National Air and Space Museum’s 

current priorities and planned transformation. The April meeting was held in 

conjunction with the Smithsonian Campaign celebration weekend April 7-8, 2018. 

The SNB voted to recommend to the Board of Regents a bylaw amendment 

permitting the extension of the Chair’s term by one year in extraordinary 

circumstances, and for the Board’s support in extending Mr. Robert MacDonald’s 

term as Chair for one additional year. There was unanimous support from 

National Board members present for both proposals.
7

Report of the Office of 

Government Relations

Report of the 

Governance and 

Nominating Committee

Amendments to the 

Bylaws of the Board of 

Regents

Written Report of the Office of Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations (“OGR”) provided updates on the federal 

budget. On March 23, 2018, the House and Senate both passed and the President 

signed the fiscal year 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Smithsonian’s 

full year fiscal year 2018 federal funding level was set at $1,043.3 million. 

On April 12, 2018, the House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee held a 

hearing on the Smithsonian’s fiscal year 2019 Budget Request. Secretary David J. 

Skorton testified, highlighting the Smithsonian’s ongoing facilities capital needs, 

strategic plan implementation, and the launch of the Smithsonian American 

Women’s History Initiative.

On April 17, 2018, Representative Sam Johnson introduced legislation in the U.S. 

House of Representatives on behalf of the Board to reappoint Barbara M. Barrett 

to a second term on the Board of Regents. On April 24, 2018, Senator Boozman 

introduced identical legislation in the U.S. Senate.

OGR has continued congressional and presidential administration engagement, 

hosting and participating in a number of programs and events. In late February, 

Vice President Pence toured the National Museum of African American History 

and Culture. On July 24, 2018, the Smithsonian will host its annual Congressional 

Night for Members of Congress, their families, and staff at the National Air and 

Space Museum.

On May 3, 2018, more than 900 D.C. government employees toured the National 

Museum of African American History and Culture during an open house 

sponsored in conjunction with the District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee (“GNC”) Chair Ambassador Barbara M. 

Barrett presented the Committee report including three motions requiring action 

of the Board: (i) amendments to the Bylaws of the Board of Regents, (ii) 

amendments to the Charter of the Finance Committee, and (iii) amendments to 

the Bylaws of the Smithsonian National Board.

Ambassador Barrett reviewed the proposed amendments to §5.05 of the Bylaws 

of the Board of Regents, which have been endorsed by the House and Senate 

committees. The changes reflect two title changes to the Under Secretaries 

position titles and clarify that the duties of the Chief Operating Officer will include 

serving as the Institution’s Chief Financial Officer. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board voted to approve the proposed amendments to §5.05 of the 

Bylaws of the Board of Regents. 

See attached Actions 2018.06.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).
8

Amendment to the 

Charter of the Finance 

Committee

Amendments to the 

Bylaws of the 

Smithsonian National 

Board

Report of the Finance 

Committee

Fiscal Year 2020 Federal

Budget Priorities

Fiscal Year 2019 

Endowment Payout

Next, the Board reviewed the proposed amendments to the Finance Committee 

Charter, which would define the Committee’s authority to approve certain 

investments from non-endowed reserves recommended by Smithsonian 

Enterprises. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to approve 

the proposed amendment to the Finance Committee Charter. 

See attached Actions 2018.06.05 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Ambassador Barret presented the Board with proposed amendments to the 

Bylaws of the Smithsonian National Board. The proposed amendments allow for 

an additional one-year term for the Chair in extraordinary circumstances to 

ensure better continuity and cohesiveness between Smithsonian leadership and 

the SNB. Although a non-voting participant, SNB Chair Robert MacDonald 

recused himself from the discussion and vote. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board voted to approve the proposed amendments to the Bylaws 

of the Smithsonian National Board. 

See attached Actions 2018.06.06 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair of the Finance Committee John Fahey gave the Committee’s report and 

presented three action items for the Board’s consideration: (i) the fiscal year 2020

federal budget priorities, (ii) the fiscal year 2019 Endowment Payout, and (iii) the 

creation of an unrestricted quasi-endowment. 

Mr. Fahey noted that the fiscal year 2020 budget request is due to the Office of 

Management and Budget (“OMB”) on September 10, 2018. He reviewed the 

Institution’s priorities for building the fiscal year 2020 federal budget, which 

include: salaries and expenses, research and museum program infrastructure, 

Institution facilities maintenance and security, and major revitalization projects. 

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the fiscal year 2020 

federal budget priorities proposed by the Secretary. 

See attached Actions 2018.06.07 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Next, Mr. Fahey presented the fiscal year 2019 Endowment Payout 

recommendation. The Smithsonian’s historical policy is to pay out five percent of 

the trailing average market value per share over the previous five years in order 

to support programs and activities. In the past, the Regents have also approved 

an additional annual payout of up to one percent to pay for the costs of the 

National Campaign. Mr. Fahey informed the Board this additional payout has 

been reduced to 0.75% for fiscal year 2019. The projected payout to support 

programmatic activity for fiscal year 2019 is $69.7 million and the payout to fund 

advancement activities is projected at $4.6 million. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board approved a five percent payout from the Smithsonian
9

Proposed Creation of a 

Quasi-Endowment

Secretary’s Update

Pending Legislation

Smithsonian American 

Women’s History 

Initiative

Endowment in fiscal year 2019 to support programmatic activity. Further, the 

Board approved up to an additional 0.75 percent payout from eligible 

Smithsonian Endowment funds in fiscal year 2019 to support advancement 

activity.

See attached Actions 2018.06.08 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Lastly, Mr. Fahey presented the Finance Committee’s proposed creation of a 

quasi-endowment in the amount of $10,000,000. The Board of Regents is 

responsible for approving the establishment of quasi-endowments. Upon motion 

duly made and seconded, the Board approved the creation of an unrestricted 

quasi-endowment in the amount of $10,000,000 from non-endowed reserves to 

support core operations of the Institution.

See attached Actions 2018.06.09 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Secretary Skorton updated the Board on the state of the Smithsonian, including 

pending legislation, upcoming exhibitions, and fundraising initiatives.

The Secretary provided an update on the pending legislation regarding a women’s 

museum. In March 2017, Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) introduced 

a bill called the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum Act (H.R. 19). The bill has 

not been brought to a vote in the Senate or the House, however, there is support 

for the bill and the Smithsonian continues to monitor its progress. As written, the 

bill would establish a Smithsonian museum on the National Mall for the 

collection, study, and establishment of programs exploring the contributions of 

women to various fields throughout history. This legislation does not appropriate 

any federal funding for the new museum. The Secretary has shared his concerns 

with Representative Maloney about the impact such an undertaking could have 

on projects, such as the current revitalization of the National Air and Space 

Museum, and deferred maintenance of Smithsonian buildings without the 

support of federal funding. 

Next, the Secretary asked Provost and Under Secretary for Museums, Education,

and Research John Davis to update the Board on the Smithsonian American 

Women’s History Initiative. Dr. Davis highlighted two major exhibitions planned 

as part of the Initiative. To honor the centennial anniversary of the ratification of 

the Nineteenth Amendment, Votes for Women: An American Awakening, 1840-

192, will open in 2019 at the National Portrait Gallery. Through portraiture, 

biography, and material culture, the exhibition will examine the complex 

narrative of women’s suffrage in the United States. The second exhibition, yet to 

be titled, will open in 2020 at the National Museum of American History. The 

exhibition will identify how girls have shaped and changed American history, and 

will travel to ten venues throughout the country. Dr. Davis also announced that 

the Smithsonian has funded six new curatorial positions as part of the Initiative, 
10

Giant Magellan 

Telescope

Luncheon Program

Conversation with Ellen 

Stofan

which will enable the Smithsonian to share stories about the transformational 

roles American women have played in the nation’s history. 

The Secretary gave an update on the Giant Magellan Telescope (“GMT”). The 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is working with a group of international 

partners to build a giant ground-based telescope. Upon completion in 2021, the 

GMT will be one of the world’s largest and most powerful telescope, used to 

explore the distant universe and search for evidence of life on other planets. The 

project is expected to cost $1.3 billion. Secretary Skorton highlighted two 

competing projects: the European Extremely Large Telescope and the Thirty 

Meter Telescope, and noted that the National Science Foundation (“NSF”) has not 

provided funding to any of the projects. The Secretary explained to the

Board the NSF’s desire to gauge the importance of these projects to the nation 

and solicit expert opinion on the telescope design using the Decadal Survey. The 

GMT is the biggest single science project ever undertaken by the Smithsonian.

Following the report of the Secretary, the Board adjourned to the luncheon 

program at approximately 11:39 a.m.

LUNCH: CONVERSATION WITH SMITHSONIAN HISTORY AND 

CULTURE DIRECTORS

As part of an ongoing effort to increase interaction among Regents and 

Smithsonian directors, the Regents invited the Smithsonian’s history and culture 

directors to join the Board’s quarterly lunch at the June 11, 2018, meeting. 

During lunch, Chair David Rubenstein hosted a conversation with Eduardo Díaz, 

Director of the Smithsonian Latino Center; Elliott Gruber, Director of the National 

Postal Museum; and Lisa Sasaki, Director of the Asian Pacific American Center.

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at approximately 1:02 p.m. 

and reviewed the remainder of the Board’s business agenda. 

CONVERSATION WITH NASM DIRECTOR ELLEN STOFAN

Secretary Skorton introduced Ellen Stofan, the new John and Adrienne Mars 

Director of the National Air and Space Museum. Dr. Stofan began her tenure at 

the museum on April 30. 

Dr. Stofan identified some of the challenges of the NASM revitalization, including 

de-installing and moving approximately 1,700 artifacts. She cited three examples 

of artifacts that will be relocated to the Dulles Collections Storage Module, 

including the 1903 Wright Flyer, Amelia Earhart's "Little Red Bus," and John 

Glenn’s Friendship 7 spacecraft. She also highlighted two of the artifacts that will 

require a Protect in Place approach: the Skylab Orbital Workshop and the Ryan 
11

Initial Strategic Financial 

Analysis

Strategic Plan 

Implementation

Strategic Plan 

Leadership Retreat

Smithsonian Year of 

Music 2019

NYP Spirit of St. Louis. The new galleries will feature more than 1,400 newlydisplayed artifacts from the Smithsonian’s collection. 

Dr. Stofan described the plans for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 

11 mission. The museum is positioned to lead the national celebration in 

collaboration with NASA, the White House, and aerospace industry partners. The 

celebration will recognize the 50th anniversary of the mission and explore the 

birth and development of the American space program and the space race.

LONG-RANGE FINANCIAL PLANNING

Mr. Horvath provided an initial overview of the Institution’s financial position, 

existing challenges, and a first set of potential actions to ensure stability and 

resources for the strategic plan implementation. 

The Smithsonian relies on financial support from federal appropriations, 

Government grants and contracts, and contributions from the private sector to 

execute its mission to increase and diffuse knowledge. In addition, the Institution 

generates its own revenue through a variety of business activities. Mr. Horvath 

reported to the Board four budgetary goals for their consideration: (i) maintain 

federal funding and seek increases for key Smithsonian priorities, (ii) create a 

larger pool of flexible resources that can be directed to activities supporting the

achievement of strategic plan goals, (iii) grow net revenue from Smithsonian 

Enterprises activities, and (iv) continue to grow the Smithsonian’s fundraising 

results. The Board reviewed the short-term and long-term challenges of each 

goal, and discussed the three to five-year strategies and opportunities for funding 

increases.

UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Secretary Skorton updated the Board on the implementation process for the 

Smithsonian’s Strategic Plan for 2017 – 2022. 

The Secretary briefed the Board on the Smithsonian leadership retreat, which 

took place May 24-25, 2018. The retreat brought together unit directors and 

central leadership around two objectives: (i) to foster greater collaboration

around shared values and common goals, and (ii) to make key strategic plan goals 

tangible, actionable, and identify those accountable for their achievement. A 

second leadership retreat is planned in September.

Provost and Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research John Davis 

shared details about the formal launch of the Smithsonian Year of Music 2019, an 

Institution-wide initiative inspired by the strategic plan goal: Be One Smithsonian. 

The initiative will share the vast musical holdings that span the Institution and are 

found throughout its programs, collections, and exhibits. At the core will be the 

public program “365 Days of Music at the Smithsonian,” including lectures, 

music releases, concerts, and workshops that will be offered every day in 2019. 
12

Solstice Saturday 

Celebration

Executive Session

The pan-Smithsonian team coordinating the Initiative is being led by Dwandalyn 

Reece, Curator of Music and Performing Arts at the National Museum of African 

American History and Culture, and Huib Schippers the Director of Smithsonian 

Folkways Recordings at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The 

initiative also will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Smithsonian Folkways 

Recordings, the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. The public 

launch of the initiative is planned for October.

Dr. Davis informed the Board of another pan-Institutional initiative hosted by the 

Smithsonian, Solstice Saturday. On Saturday, June 23, there will be an Institutionwide celebration kicking off the summer season with free parties, programs, and 

performances throughout the Smithsonian’s museums, research centers, and the 

National Zoo. Nearly every Smithsonian museum in the Washington area will 

extend their hours until midnight. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” REPORTS 

The Board then conducted an executive session with the Smithsonian’s 

Gatekeepers, including the Secretary, General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, 

and Inspector General.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at

approximately 3:11 p.m., after which Mr. Rubenstein and the Secretary moved to 

the Secretary’s Parlor to address questions from the media.

Respectfully submitted,

David J. Skorton

Secretary
13

APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

JUNE 11, 2018, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves an Augmented Pay Scale for 19 Trust executive 

positons. [2018.06.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents adopts the Consent Agenda, which constitutes the approval 

of all action items listed therein. [2018.06.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the April 9, 2018, meeting of 

the Board of Regents.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed slate of candidates for 

appointment or reappointment to 13 Smithsonian advisory boards.



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

the National Advisory Board of the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Land O’Lakes, Inc. and 

accepts the terms of the sponsorship agreement.

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates a quasi-endowment to support the mission of the 

National Museum of African American History and Culture. Further, the Board authorizes the 

transfer of the funds identified for this purpose. [2018.06.03]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendment to §5.05 of the Bylaws of 

the Board of Regents. [2018.06.04]

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

Committee Charter. [2018.06.05]

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

Smithsonian National Board. [2018.06.06]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the fiscal year 2020 federal budget priorities 

proposed by the Secretary. [2018.06.07]

 

 Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey recused from voting.
14

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves a five percent payout from the Smithsonian 

Endowment in fiscal year 2019 to support programmatic activity. The Board further approves 

up to an additional 0.75 percent payout from eligible Smithsonian Endowment funds in fiscal

year 2019 to support advancement activity. The payout shall be calculated against the trailing 

five-year average market value of the Smithsonian Endowment. [2018.06.08]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the creation of an unrestricted quasi-endowment in 

the amount of $10,000,000 from non-endowed reserves to support core operations of the 

Institution. [2018.06.09]