____________________________

1 Participated in the afternoon session only

2 Participated in the lunch presentation only 

3 Participated in the morning Post-Campaign Strategy discussion only

4 Participated in lunch presentation and afternoon session London Opportunity discussion only

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 23, 2017, 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, October 23, 2017, in the SC Johnson Center at the National 

Museum of American History (“NMAH”). Board Chair David M. Rubenstein welcomed Regents and 

staff and called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m. Also present were Regents:

The Chief Justice1

Senator John Boozman

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

Senator David Perdue

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

Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey

Michael Lynton

John W. McCarter, Jr.

Robert MacDonald, Smithsonian National Board Chair

The Vice President was unable to attend the meeting. 

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

David J. Skorton, Secretary

Patricia Bartlett, Acting Assistant Secretary 

 Education & Access

Caroline Baumann2, Director, Cooper Hewitt, 

National Design Museum

Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

Melissa Chiu, Director2, Hirshhorn Museum and 

Sculpture Garden

John Davis, Under Secretary for Museums and 

Research/Provost

Zully Dorr, Acting Assistant Secretary for 

 Advancement

Julie Eddy, Office of Representative Matsui

Kate Forester, Deputy Chief of Staff to the 

Regents 

John Glier3, Chief Executive Officer, Grenzebach 

Glier and Associates

Amanda Hamilton, Office of Representative

 Johnson

Lauren Hancock, Office of Senator Perdue

Kate Haw2, Director, Archives of American Art

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

Toni-Marie Higgins, Office of Senator Boozman

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance & 

 Administration/Chief Financial Officer 

Christine Kreamer2, Acting Director, National 

Museum of African Art

Judith Leonard, General Counsel 

Carolyn Martin, Acting Assistant Secretary for 

Communications & External Affairs
2

Era Marshall, Director for the Office of Equal 

 Employment and Minority Affairs

Kevin McDonald, Senior Adviser to Senator 

 Leahy

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

Sean Murphy, Office of Representative 

 Cole

Stephen M. Pinkos, Office of the Vice President

Julian Raby4, Director, Freer/Sackler Galleries of 

Art

Maura Reidy, Acting Director of Government 

 Relations 

Kim Sajet, Director2, National Portrait Gallery

Stephanie Stebich2, Director, Smithsonian 

American Art Museum

Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the Regents
3

MORNING SESSION

Call to Order and 

Executive Session

Introduction of John 

Davis

Consent Agenda

CALL TO ORDER AND EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Rubenstein called the meeting to order and began with a Regents-only 

executive session. He turned the meeting over to Barbara Barrett, Chair of the 

Governance and Nominating Committee, to lead the 2018 Board leadership 

elections. The current leadership was excused, and the Board conducted 

2018 leadership elections. Upon motions duly made and seconded, the Board 

voted to reelect the current Chair, Vice Chair, and member of the Executive 

Committee. 

See attached Actions 2017.10.01–2017.10.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, 

Appendix A).

Once the vote was concluded, the Executive Committee returned, and Mr. 

Rubenstein thanked Ambassador Barrett for leading the vote and resumed his 

role presiding over the meeting. 

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Next, Mr. Rubenstein introduced the new Provost John Davis and conducted 

an interview covering Dr. Davis’s background and early impressions as Under 

Secretary for Museums and Research/Provost at the Smithsonian Institution.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

The consent agenda (“agenda”) was presented for the Board’s approval. Mr. 

Rubenstein recused himself from voting on the consent agenda because he 

was a candidate for reappointment to the Board of the National Museum of 

American History as a Regent Representative. Mr. Case led the discussion and 

vote. He reminded the Board that non-controversial items not requiring 

independent discussion are packaged into one action. An item remains on the 

consent agenda only by unanimous consent. Any Regent may ask the Office 

of the Regents to remove an item from the consent agenda for discussion, 

allowing for notice of three days prior to the scheduled Board meeting.

Action items listed on the present meeting’s agenda include the draft minutes 

of the June and August Regents’ meetings, the appointment and 

reappointment of candidates to six Smithsonian Advisory Boards, the 

Governance and Nominating Committee charter amendment, bylaw 

amendments of the National Museum of African American History and Culture 

Advisory Council, and gifts and naming recognition. Upon motion duly made 
4

Questions on Written 

Committee Reports 

and seconded, the Board voted to adopt the agenda, constituting the approval 

of all action items listed therein.

See attached Actions 2017.10.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

Mr. Rubenstein thanked Mr. Case and resumed his role presiding over the 

meeting after the vote concluded.

QUESTIONS ON WRITTEN COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

substantive discussions, Regent committee chairs and Smithsonian staff have 

been asked to submit their reports in writing in lieu of an oral report, 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 Audit and Review Committee

The Audit and Review Committee met on July 19, 2017. During the meeting, the 

Committee reviewed and approved the filing of the fiscal year 2016 IRS Forms 990 

and 990-T. The Committee also reviewed the Smithsonian’s insurance coverage, 

KPMG’s audit plan for fiscal year 2017, and the results of the fiscal year 2016 A133 audit. The Committee discussed the Smithsonian’s integrated risk 

management and cybersecurity mitigation program and was briefed on the 

Inspector General’s activities. Subsequent to the Committee meeting, the 

Inspector General requested that the Committee vote via email ballot to 

recommend that the Executive Committee approve, on behalf of the Board of 

Regents, a one-year extension of the contract with the Smithsonian’s external 

auditor, KPMG.

Written Report of the Compensation & Human Resources 

Committee

The Compensation and Human Resources Committee met on September 20, 

2017. As part of the annual cycle of the Committee, the September meeting 

focused on some of the bedrock decisions that form the foundation for the 

executive pay cycle, culminating with the compensation recommendations 

that the Committee and the Board will review in January. Those decisions, 

made by electronic ballot following the meeting, were as follows: (1) The 

Committee approved the list of disqualified persons, which is unchanged from 

last year; (2) The Committee reviewed the decision-making levels, which 

determine which positions come to the Committee and the full Board to 

review. The decision-making levels will remain the same as last year, which 

will result in approximately 10 positions coming to the full Board for review in 
5

January 2018; (3) The Committee approved the compensation consultant’s 

recommended approach for determining comparable compensation for trust 

executive positions; (4) The Committee approved developing a possible 

alteration to the existing compensation philosophy for trust executives, which 

would be brought to the Committee for approval before the full Board 

meeting in January 2018; (5) The Committee received a preview of potential 

investment incentive payouts, which the Committee anticipates will be a topic 

for discussion at the January 2018 full board meeting; and (6) The Committee 

reviewed its charter, and no changes were made.

Written Report of the Finance Committee 

The Finance Committee met on August 10, 2017, and due to a lack of quorum, 

the Committee subsequently voted by email ballot to approve a motion 

recommending that the Board approve the fiscal year 2019 federal budget 

priorities and the fiscal year 2018 federal and trust budgets. The Committee 

also reviewed the financial data as of June 30, 2017 -- revenues for the period 

totaled $1,320 million, expenses totaled $1,092 million (which reflects the 

spending of funds carried forward from fiscal year 2016 and no material 

unanticipated expenses during the course of fiscal year 2017), and net 

operating revenue totaled $228 million. The Committee also was briefed on a 

potential partnership with Carnegie Learning to co-develop a STEM adaptive 

learning product. As terms and details of the agreement are finalized, the 

Committee will be updated.

Written Report of the Governance and Nominating Committee

The Governance and Nominating Committee met on September 6, 2017, and 

reviewed and assessed the effectiveness of the 2016 Regents’ selfassessment. The Committee determined that the current format is effective 

in helping the Board to evaluate its performance and identify priorities for the 

year ahead. The Committee agreed that it will be utilized for the fiscal year 

2017 self-assessment and will be distributed to the Board following the 

October meeting.

Written Report of the Strategy, Innovation, and Technology 

Committee’s Report

The Strategy, Innovation, and Technology Committee met on September 28, 

2017. The Committee welcomed Provost John Davis, reviewed information on 

select newly opened and upcoming exhibits, and discussed the World 

Economic Forum partnership, the Smithsonian Future Project at Arts and 

Industries Building, and the Pepper Project. The Committee also received an 
6

update on the progress of the implementation of the strategic plan and the 

London partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Written Report of the Advancement Committee

The Advancement Committee met on September 25, 2017. During the 

meeting, the Committee voted to recommend that the Board approve four 

gifts and one administrative motion. The Committee was briefed on the 

progress of the Smithsonian Campaign (“Campaign”) – as of August 30, 2017, 

the Smithsonian raised $1.747 billion for the Campaign. The Committee was 

also updated on post-campaign volunteer engagement and planning for 

funding advancement activities. General John R. “Jack” Dailey, the John and 

Adrienne Mars Director of the National Air and Space Museum, updated the 

Committee on the museum’s proposed upcoming fundraising strategy.

Written Report of the Facilities Committee

The Facilities Committee held a meeting on July 18, 2017, and received 

updates on facilities capital and maintenance planning, the status of the 

revitalization of the National Air and Space Museum (“NASM”), and major 

capital projects. The Smithsonian continues to prioritize its facilities capital 

and maintenance projects, even though the federal funding received is well 

below requested levels. At the time of the Committee meeting, there had

been no further action on the President’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget. 

Formulation of the five-year capital plan for fiscal years 2019 – 2023 is based 

on the President’s fiscal year 2018 requested levels, with the largest portion 

of capital funding directed to the NASM Revitalization. 

The construction contract for the Dulles Collections Storage Module 1, which 

is adjacent to the Udvar Hazy Center (“UHC”) in Chantilly, Virginia, was 

awarded to Hensel Phelps Construction in June 2017. The facility will provide 

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

during the multi-year revitalization. Construction funding in the amount of 

$40 million was included in the final fiscal year 2017 appropriation. An 

additional $10 million will be required to complete the planned project 

funding for fiscal year 2018. 

The pre-construction services effort for the NASM Revitalization continues 

with construction firm Clark Smoot Consigli (“CSC”). CSC is currently 

coordinating plans for procurement of long-lead items. The Smithsonian 

finalized its decision on the recladding material in May 2017 with the selection 

of Colonial Rose granite. The cladding selection was approved by the U.S. 

Commission of Fine Arts in June and by the National Capital Planning 

Commission in July 2017. 
7

Written Report of the Investment Committee 

The Investment Committee met on June 6, 2017, and reviewed the Investment 

Portfolio, Asset Allocation and Risk Review, and Portfolio Implementation and 

Operations. The Smithsonian Endowment’s preliminary performance as of 

June 30, 2017, over the trailing one-year, three-year, five-year, and ten-year 

periods, generated returns against the policy benchmark of 14.0% versus 

9.5%, 5.8% versus 2.5%, 9.0% versus 5.7%, and 5.0% versus 2.7%, respectively. 

As of June 30, 2017, the Smithsonian was ranked in the top quartile of 

foundations and endowments within the Cambridge Associates universe over 

the one, three, five, and ten year periods.

Written Report of the Smithsonian National Board

The Smithsonian National Board (“SNB”) Chair Robert MacDonald focused 

with Secretary Skorton and Smithsonian staff on the work of the SNB’s 

committees and working groups to ensure that the focus of these groups 

continues to align with the work of the board, the Smithsonian’s new strategic 

plan, and the Smithsonian’s current priorities. The SNB’s four committees are: 

the Executive Committee, the Nominating and Membership Committee, the 

Advancement Committee, and the Program Committee. The SNB’s Human 

Capital Working Group has achieved its proposed task of advising the 

Smithsonian in the area of leadership development – the highly successful 

Palmer Leadership Development Program is now in its tenth year – and the 

group is being concluded. A new working group will be convened to focus on 

the Arts and Industries Building, advising Secretary Skorton and Rachel Goslins 

on future plans for the building.

Written Report of the Office of Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations (“OGR”) reported that the House 

completed action on H.R. 3354 (“Making appropriations for the Department 

of Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 

September 30, 2018, and for other purposes”). The bill funds the Department 

of Interior and Related Agencies, including the Smithsonian and packaged with 

seven other appropriations bills. The package has been rolled into a fiscal year

2018 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

Two amendments passed during floor action are directed at the Smithsonian. 

The Maloney Amendment adds $2 million for Smithsonian’s women’s history 

initiative and the Jackson Lee amendment prohibits any reduction to funding 

for Smithsonian’s outreach programs below the fiscal year 2017 funding level. 

There were no other changes to the bill as approved by the full Appropriations 

Committee in July.
8

Total funding included in the House bill for the Smithsonian is $887.1 million, 

an increase of $22.8 million above the fiscal year 2017 appropriation. Within 

this total, the bill with the Maloney amendment includes, $718.6 million

(or $.4 million below the fiscal year 2017 appropriation) for Salaries and 

Expenses, and $168.5 million (or $21.7 million above the fiscal year 2017 

level) for Facilities Capital. At this time, the Senate has not scheduled the 

markup of their version of the Interior bill.

On October 5, 2017, Senator David Perdue (R-GA) introduced legislation in the 

U.S. Senate authorizing the Smithsonian Board of Regents to plan, design, and 

construct a central parking facility on National Zoological Park property in 

Washington, D.C. The facility may include parking, transportation 

improvements, visitor amenities including restrooms, a pedestrian bridge to a 

midpoint zoo entry, and ancillary works to accommodate alternative uses of 

the facility. The purpose of the facility is to improve the visitor experience and 

multi-modal access. Construction of the facility would be conducted with 

funds from non-appropriated sources. The legislation was referred to the 

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

On October 11, 2017, Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX) introduced identical 

legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation was referred 

to the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on 

Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, 

Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

On September 27, 2017, the Golden Goose Award was presented to a team of 

scientists for their work on Chytridiomycota fungus and amphibians. Three of 

the recipients conducted their research at the National Zoo. The Golden 

Goose Award is awarded by a bipartisan Congressional Board in honor of 

federally funded scientific works without a clear public benefit, which later 

turn out to have enormously beneficial outcomes. In coordination with the 

American Association for the Advancement of Science, Secretary Skorton coauthored an op-ed with AAAS Chief Executive Officer and former 

Congressman Rush Holt on the importance of federally funded basic research. 

Additionally, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Director Matt Larsen coauthored an op-ed with University of Maine President Susan J. Hunter, and 

Provost John Davis presented the award at the awards reception. 

On June 26, 2017, Representative Sam Johnson introduced H.Res.408 -

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The 

legislation was cosponsored by Representative Doris Matsui and 

Representative Tom Cole. 

On June 27, 2017, Senator John Boozman introduced S.Con.Res.19 - A 

concurrent resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 
9

Post-Campaign Strategy

Women’s History 

Museum Act

and

National Museum of the 

American Latino Act

Confederate Monument 

Removal Act

Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The legislation was cosponsored by Senator 

Patrick Leahy and Senator David Perdue.

POST-CAMPAIGN STRATEGY

As the fundraising campaign draws to a close, the Secretary and his team have 

been reviewing advancement operations, including how to fund advancement 

activities going forward. The Secretary asked John Glier, Chief Executive 

Officer of Grenzebach Glier + Associates, to join the meeting for this update 

and report on his findings and advise on next steps. 

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

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

including legislation regarding new museums and Confederate monument 

removal, the Smithsonian Special Events Policy, the Arts and Industries 

Building, Fort Mason, the IMAX theatre closure, and the website design 

update. The Secretary also recently visited Saudi Arabia and he briefed the 

Board on his trip.

He briefed the Board on the pieces of legislation that have been introduced in 

both the Senate and House to create two new Smithsonian museums – one 

for a women’s history museum, and one for a museum of the American 

Latino. There appears to be more support, based on the number of cosponsors, for the women’s history museum. The Secretary explained to the 

Board the Smithsonian’s position on both pieces of legislation – the 

Smithsonian does a better job of telling these stories in all of the museums, 

without a need to construct new facilities. New philanthropic resources can 

be spent on programs and exhibits that tell the stories of women and Latinos 

and reach people immediately; Congressional facilities support can be spent 

on maintaining and repairing the existing facilities. 

Next, the Secretary updated the Board on another piece of legislation 

introduced by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey. The proposed legislation 

would transfer Confederate statutes from the U.S. Capitol to the Smithsonian. 

The Secretary explained that the Smithsonian opposes this legislation because

it contradicts the established collection policies, where authority to determine 

what is collected rests with the museums and not Congress. Additional issues 

also contribute to the opposition including issues surrounding displaying or

not displaying the monuments and caring for the objects, as some are 

extremely heavy and large, and would require significant and expensive 

efforts. 
10

Special Events Policy 

Arts and Industries 

Building

Fort Mason

Closing of the IMAX 

Theater at NMNH

Smithsonian website 

design update

Secretary Skorton reported that the Smithsonian is reviewing its special 

events policy. Once a new policy has been drafted, the Secretary will update 

and share with the Board.

It has been a little over a year since Rachel Goslins was brought on as the 

Director of the Arts and Industries Building. The Secretary reported that she 

has transformed the Smithsonian’s vision of the building. Building on 

traditions of the great World Fairs, the building will be used for temporary 

rotating exhibits, convening debates and dialogues on major contemporary 

issues, and holding one big annual festival. These activities will explore 

fundamental themes of the future, including how we will live, work, play, and 

learn.

The Secretary also informed the Board that the Smithsonian continues to 

explore the possibilities for a donor-funded exhibit space in San Francisco,

perhaps at the Fort Mason site. The Smithsonian is gathering additional 

information on the costs involved in making the site is museum ready before 

evaluating whether or not this is a viable option.

The Secretary updated the Board on the IMAX theater closure at the National 

Museum of Natural History in September. It was determined that the space 

could be better utilized, contribute more to the museum’s mission and 

operations, and enhance the guest experience by removing the theater space 

and replacing it with a larger food service area and space for programming 

and educational opportunities. The two IMAX theaters at the National 

Museum of Air and Space, one on the Mall and the other at the Chantilly 

location, will remain open for Smithsonian guests. There was a public 

relations effort to reverse the decision by IMAX filmmakers and related 

individuals and about 200 individuals signed an online petition in protest of 

the closure. The museum responded to each explaining the rationale behind 

the decision and there have been no other inquiries since the closure on 

September 30. 

Secretary Skorton updated the Board on the new Smithsonian website design 

launched on March 15, 2017. The goal of the redesign was to showcase the 

depth and breadth of the Smithsonian in a visually appealing way that sparks 

discovery and is easy to share. The first batch of six-month analytics showed 

the Smithsonian moving in the right direction. On-site social engagement and 

content sharing increased as well as pages visited via search engine.

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

program at approximately 11:30 a.m.
11

London Update

Strategic Plan 

Implementation Update

LUNCH: CONVERSATIONS WITH SMITHSONIAN ART DIRECTORS

During lunch, Regents and Smithsonian staff convened for the second in a 

series of luncheon programs to be featured at Regents’ quarterly meetings. A 

different group of Smithsonian programmatic directors will be invited to join 

the Regents to highlight the work conducted by the Smithsonian’s subjectmatter experts. The October 23 luncheon program featured a conversation

between Mr. Rubenstein and three of the Smithsonian’s art directors. 

Director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Melissa Chiu,

Director of the Archives of American Art Kate Haw, and Director of the 

National Portrait Gallery Kim Sajet discussed their perspectives on the One 

Smithsonian goal of the strategic plan.

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at approximately 1:07 

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board conducted an executive session to discuss an upcoming exhibition 

opportunity.

LONDON OPPORTUNITY

Under Secretary for Finance and Administration Al Horvath and Director of the

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art Julian Raby provided the 

Board with an update on the status of the Smithsonian’s proposed 

collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Both teams 

continue to fine-tune the operational plans and legal agreements. This would 

be the Smithsonian’s first long-term programmatic presence outside of the 

United Sates and would broaden the Smithsonian’s reach. The collaboration 

would not create a new museum nor would it be reliant on new federally 

appropriated sources and is considered to be a low risk opportunity. The final 

binding agreement is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Mr. Horvath provided an update on the implementation of the strategic plan 

for 2017 – 2022. He has been working with a core team and seven individual 

goal teams comprising of more than 120 individuals to implement the 

strategic plan. Since the Board’s last meeting in June, the teams have been 

focused on engaging leadership and staff across the Smithsonian, defining 
12

strategic priorities, and identifying key milestones. Through these exercises, 

the teams have united on several emerging themes including accountability, 

agility, understanding audiences, improved budget and planning, enhanced 

digital capabilities, and strategic partnerships. 

The timeline for next steps is: preliminary recommendations from each goal 

team in early October, a retreat of the core team to review recommendations 

in November, internal and public announcements of the plan by early 

December, and presentation of the full implementation plan to the Board in 

January. 

Mr. Horvath further explained that the current implementation teams were 

tasked only with developing the tactical plan; different individuals will be 

charged with actually executing the plan over the coming years. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” REPORTS

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

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

and Inspector General.

ADJOURNMENT

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

approximately 2:42 p.m., after which Mr. Rubenstein and the Secretary 

moved to a separate room at NMAH to address questions from the media.

Respectfully submitted,

David J. Skorton

Secretary