Finding Aid
Submit Reference RequestPrintDownload PDF

Reference Request

* required
Please succinctly provide us with any information pertinent to your inquiry. If you are writing to us about a research request, provide as much detail as possible about the collections in which you are interested (including collection numbers, box numbers, and folder titles).
(if known)

The Smithsonian Institution Archives is using Constant Contact, a third-party contact management software vendor, to manage contacts and send eNewsletters. Please be advised that Constant Contact's Privacy Statement and Terms and Conditions apply to your use of these services. The Smithsonian Institution Archives has access to your name and email address which is subject to our privacy statement.

Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 97-042

Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Provost

Subject Files, 1992-1995

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Provost
Title:Subject Files
Dates:1992-1995
Quantity:4 cu. ft. (4 record storage boxes)
Collection:Accession 97-042
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

Secretary Ira Michael Heyman established the Office of the Provost in October 1994 to streamline Smithsonian management by placing most programmatic activities under a single academic officer. Heyman named Robert S. Hoffmann, former Assistant Secretary for the Sciences, Acting Provost while he searched for a permanent incumbent. At the same time, the Assistant Secretaries for Arts and Humanities, the Sciences, and Educational and Cultural Programs became Assistant Provosts for those areas, and began reporting to the Provost. Ross B. Simons was named Acting Assistant Provost for the Sciences. On September 12, 1995, Heyman announced that J. Dennis O'Connor would assume the duties of the Provost in early January 1996. As Provost, O'Connor became the Institution's chief programs officer, responsible for central planning, integration, and oversight of the Smithsonian's museum activities; and research and education activities at its museums, the National Zoo, libraries, archives, and research centers in the U.S. and around the world. In early spring 1996, O'Connor eliminated the offices of the three Assistant Provosts reporting to him. These records document the activities of the Office of the Provost in 1994 and 1995, primarily under Bob Hoffmann as Acting Provost. The Provost's office created files for most offices listed on the October 1994 Smithsonian administrative chart, and for issues and initiatives concerning those offices. The arrangement of the files roughly follows the structure of the chart. Of particular note are files documenting the establishment and early activities of the Office of the Provost, and the work of the three Assistant Provosts that originally reported to the Provost. Other groups of files contain notes, memoranda, correspondence, and reports on offices or issues under the direct oversight of the Secretary or Undersecretary, yet which affected the work of the Provost. The records include a single file dating from 1992 to 1993, documenting a matter of concern to Bob Hoffmann as Assistant Secretary for the Sciences.

Historical Note

Secretary Ira Michael Heyman established the Office of the Provost in October 1994 to streamline Smithsonian Institution management by placing most programmatic activities under a single academic officer. Heyman named Robert S. Hoffmann, former Assistant Secretary for the Sciences, Acting Provost while he searched for a permanent incumbent. At the same time, the Assistant Secretaries for Arts and Humanities, the Sciences, and Educational and Cultural Programs became Assistant Provosts for those areas, and began reporting to the Provost. Ross Simons was named Acting Assistant Provost for the Sciences.

On September 12, 1995, Heyman announced that J. Dennis O'Connor would assume the duties of the Provost in early January 1996. As Provost, O'Connor became the Institution's chief programs officer, responsible for central planning, integration, and oversight of the Smithsonian's museum activities; and research and education activities at its museums, the National Zoo, libraries, archives, and research centers in the U.S. and around the world. In early spring 1996, O'Connor eliminated the offices of the three Assistant Provosts reporting to him.

Top of Page

Descriptive Entry

These records document the activities of the Office of the Provost in 1994 and 1995, primarily under Robert S. Hoffmann as Acting Provost. The Provost's office created files for most offices listed on the October 1994 Smithsonian administrative chart, and for issues and initiatives concerning those offices. The arrangement of the files roughly follows the structure of the chart. Of particular note are files documenting the establishment and early activities of the Office of the Provost, and the work of the three Assistant Provosts that originally reported to the Provost. Other groups of files contain notes, memoranda, correspondence, and reports on offices or issues under the direct oversight of the Secretary or Undersecretary, yet which affected the work of the Provost.

The records include a single file dating from 1992 to 1993, documenting a matter of concern to Robert S. Hoffmann as Assistant Secretary for the Sciences.

Top of Page

Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 97-042, Smithsonian Institution, Office of the Provost, Subject Files

Top of Page

Container List

Box 1

Board of Regents, 1994

Box 1 of 4

Counselor/Environment, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Counselor/Electronic Media, 1995

Box 1 of 4

150th Anniversary, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Counselor/Latino Affairs, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Office of the Inspector General, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Office of Planning, Management and Budget, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Secretarial Correspondence, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Secretariat, 1995

Box 1 of 4

Establishment of Provost Office, 1994

Box 1 of 4

Minutes/Meetings, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Assistant Provost Meetings, 1995

Box 1 of 4

Secretary's Directors' Meetings, 19954

Box 1 of 4

Provost Office Meetings, 1995

Box 1 of 4

Provost Office Staff Meetings

Box 1 of 4

Development Committee

Box 1 of 4

RPC/Provost Council, 1995

Box 1 of 4

Research Policy Committee, 1994

Box 1 of 4

SFS (Smithsonian Financial System), 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Research Initiatives, 1995

Box 1 of 4

SI Council, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 1 of 4

Provost Reading Files, November-December 1994

Box 1 of 4

Box 2

Provost Reading Files, January-December 1995

Box 2 of 4

General Correspondence, Assistant Provost/Sciences

Box 2 of 4

Conservation Analytical Laboratory, 1995

Box 2 of 4

National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

NMNH Arctic Studies Center, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

NMNH Board, 1995

Box 2 of 4

NMNH Repatriation, 1995

Box 2 of 4

McKinsey & Company

Box 2 of 4

National Zoological Park, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

Office of Fellowships and Grants, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

Office of Smithsonian Institution Archives, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 2 of 4

SERC/Penney Proposals, 1992-1993

Box 2 of 4

Smithsonian Libraries, 1995

Box 2 of 4

Box 3

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

STRI 1995 Deficit

Box 3 of 4

Office of International Relations, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

General Correspondence, Assistant Provost/Arts and Humanities, 1994

Box 3 of 4

General Correspondence, 1995

Box 3 of 4

Special Exhibition Fund, 1995

Box 3 of 4

African-American Initiative, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Archives of American Art, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Center for Museum Studies, 1995

Box 3 of 4

Cooper-Hewitt Museum, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Institutional Studies Office, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

National Air and Space Museum - NAPA Study

Box 3 of 4

National Museum of African Art, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

National Museum of American Art/Renwick, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

National Museum of American History (NMAH), 1994

Box 3 of 4

NMAH/Postal Museum, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

National Museum of the American Indian, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

National Portrait Gallery, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Office of Museum Programs, 1994

Box 3 of 4

Sackler/Freer Gallery of Art, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

General Correspondence, Education and Culture, 1994

Box 3 of 4

General Correspondence, 1995

Box 3 of 4

Education Outreach Fund, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Ocean Planet Exhibit

Box 3 of 4

Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

National Science Resources Center, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

National Air and Space Museum, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 3 of 4

Box 4

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Wider Audience Development, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Office of General Counsel, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of Government Relations, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Office of Policy and Program Development, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

General Correspondence, Finance and Administration, 1994

Box 4 of 4

General Correspondence, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of the Comptroller, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of Environmental Management and Safety, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Office of Human Resources, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Office of Physical Plant

Box 4 of 4

Office of Design and Construction, 1994

Box 4 of 4

Office of Plant Services, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Office of Protection Services, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of Sponsored Projects, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

General Correspondence, Institutional Advancement, 1994

Box 4 of 4

General Correspondence, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Contributing Members, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Development Office, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

National Board, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of Special Events and Conference Services, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Smithsonian Associates, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Business Office, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Smithsonian Magazine, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Smithsonian Press, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of Telecommunications, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Visitors' Information and Associates Reception Center, 1995

Box 4 of 4

Office of Information Technology, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Senior Information Officer, 1994-1995 (2 folders)

Box 4 of 4

Office of Public Affairs

Box 4 of 4

Top of Page