Museum's Deputy Secretary Resigns

Roger W. Sant, chairman of the regents' executive committee, said the regents' action "probably was connected but that wasn't the real reason [Burke resigned]. She felt it was probably time to have a leadership change at the Smithsonian. She regretfully came to that conclusion and we regretfully came to the conclusion that we should accept that. It wasn't principally that."

Burke said her corporate board memberships have "clearly been an issue," but she didn't think the new rule would discourage recruitment of executives. "I think this is such an extraordinary place that there are an enormous amount of people who would want to work here."

The regents yesterday approved a plan to have their leadership handled by two executives in distinct positions, the chancellor and the chairman.

For more than 150 years, the regents have been led by a chancellor, a post held by the chief justice of the United States. The chief justice had delegated a number of duties to the chairman of the executive committee. Under the proposal, which requires a bylaw change in the next 30 days, the two would split duties. The chancellor would continue to chair meetings and the chairman would have day-to-day duties overseeing the Smithsonian.

The report released yesterday was prepared by the regents. A second report, by outside experts, is to be released tomorrow.

Patricia Stonesifer, the former chairwoman of the governance committee, said the Smithsonian would "get the best of both worlds" by having the top judicial official and a leader from the private sector.

The 25 recommendations on ethics, transparency, communications and other issues were contained in a 55-page report from the regents' governance committee.

The report admitted the regents were often asleep at the wheel. "We realize in many areas we should have applied much more due diligence, but I can't say strongly enough that we are doing everything we know how not to let this happen again," Sant said.

In response to criticism that some of them did not know the terms of Small's employment and that other regents had retroactively approved some of his expenses, the regents said they had learned a lesson. "The regents should have been made aware of all of the provisions of the secretary's contract, outside activities of senior executives, any significant problems in Smithsonian Business Ventures, and deviations from normal travel and expense policies," said the report.

"Many of the things that happened," Stonesifer said, "were about mistakes in either leadership choices or leadership practices."

As they talked about the need for more transparency, the regents pledged to start with themselves. They announced they would hold an annual public forum, beginning next year, and launch their own Web page to explain what they do. They would also post summaries of the minutes of their meeting.

"The committee recognizes that the Institution is best served by an engaged board comprised of members who understand their roles, are knowledgeable about the Smithsonian, and creatively address both challenges and opportunities," the report said.