NSB-00-105
May 5, 2000
MEMORANDUM TO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD
SUBJECT: Preliminary Report of the May 3 - 4, 2000 Meeting
The major actions of the Board at its 358th meeting on
May 3 and 4, are summarized for the information of those members absent
and as a reminder to those present.
1. Board Nominations
The Chairman announced that since the last meeting, Dr.
Jane Lubchenco, Dr. Warren Washington and Dr. John White have been renominated
to be members of the NSB class of 2006. He also announced the White
House intent to nominate Dr. Mark S. Wrighton, Washington University,
St. Louis, as a member of the NSB class of 2006.
2. Board Actions
a) The Board reelected Dr. Eamon Kelly Chair of the NSB
and elected Dr. Anita Jones as Vice Chair, for terms ending May, 2002.
b) The Board approved a statement on openness in scientific
communication (NSB-00-106), subject to final edits to be made by the
EHR Chairman.
c) the Board received the NSF Director's FY 1999 Report
on Merit Review.
d) The Board received the annual report of the Executive
Committee (NSB/EC-00-9) from the Chair, Dr. Rita Colwell.
e) The Board approved a schedule of meetings for 2001,
NSB-00-97, attached.
f) The Board approved posting the draft report of the
Committee on Communication and Outreach, Communicating Science and
Engineering in the Public Interest, on the NSB Web site. Comments
from Board members should be sent to the NSB Office by Friday, June
30.
g) The Board approved the Closed and Open Session minutes
of the March, 16, 2000 meeting.
3. NSB Committees
The Chairman discharged with thanks the Committee on the
2000 Vannevar Bush Award, Chaired by Dr. Menger, with members Drs. Jones,
Langford, Richardson, and Tien, and Executive Secretary Ms. Susan Fannoney.
Dr. Richard Tapia will succeed Dr. Mitchell-Kernan as
Chair, NSB EHR Subcommittee on Science and Engineering Indicators. Dr.
John Armstrong and Dr. Jane Lubchenco have been appointed to the NSB
Task Force on International Issues in Science and Engineering.
The Chairman accepted the revised charges to the three
standing committees, NSB-00-108, -109 and -110, attached.
Committee Reports
(Materials for committee summaries are provided by executive
secretaries.)
a. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee briefly discussed the status of
the budget process. It also approved the annual report of the Executive
Committee (NSB/EC-00-9), as required by the NSF Act.
b. Audit & Oversight (A&O)
The committee heard a briefing on the FY 1999 Report on
the Merit Review System. The revised charter for the committee was discussed
and approved. A Chief Financial Officer Audit update was also provided,
noting a successful FY99 audit and plans for the FY00 audit. It was
noted that the House Government Reform Committee on Government Management,
Information, and Technology gave NSF, for the second year in a row,
a grade of "A" on the Government Management Reform Act (GMRA) Report
Card, for high quality federal financial management. Dr. Ries provided
information on proposed changes to the Director's Review Board review
thresholds.
Supervisory Session:
The committee received and discussed the Inspector General's
Semiannual Report for the period ending March 31, 2000. The committee
heard an update on the OIG's internal and external outreach efforts,
and was provided draft copies of brochures the OIG plans to use in making
outreach presentations. The committee also heard discussions from office
staff concerning several active investigation and audit projects.
c. Education and Human Resources (EHR)
The committee was given a presentation on EHR FY 2001
budget items and the framework for EHR decision making. Discussion on
the latter will continue with a presentation on how EHR picks "issues"
and how these issues eventually track with programs and dollars. The
committee received a preview of the Science and Engineering Indicators
(SEI) end of cycle report from Dr. Mitchell-Kernan, who was praised
for all her efforts on SEI. The committee discussed and approved revisions
to the charge to the EHR Committee, and status reports on NSF diversity
programs and on the activities of CAWMSET. A proposed plan for exploration
of the NSF's future role in K-16 education through an expert panel was
discussed. A draft NSB statement entitled "NSB statement on openness
of Science and Engineering Communication" (NSB-00-106) was discussed,
and recommended to the full Board for approval.
d. Programs and Plans (CPP)
The committee heard a presentation on the draft interim
guidelines for planning and managing the Major Research Equipment (MRE)
account. It also received an update on the status of the MRE, including
projects currently being supported and planning for potential future
projects. The committee discussed the evolution of budget categories
for facilities, tools and the MRE account, and NSF plans to use the
interim guidelines over the next year while discussions continue. The
committee received a briefing on the High-Performance Instrumented Airborne
Platform for Environmental Research (HIAPER) project, including a status
report on major project tasks. The committee approved the revised CPP
Committee charge, and received a presentation on the use of mail review
and panel review in the merit review process.
a. Science and Engineering Indicators (SEI)
The Science and Engineering Indicators-2000 report,
including Volumes 1 and 2 and the NSB Companion Piece and CD, have been
printed and distributed to all Board members. Indicators 2000
will be delivered to the White House May 4 for clearance and approval,
which is expected in about 30 days. It was announced that Ms. Jennifer
Bond. Director of the Science and Engineering Indicators Program in
the Division of Science Resources Studies is on detail as a Legislative
Fellow to the office of Senator Joseph Lieberman. During her detail,
Mr. Rolf Lehming will serve as Acting Program Director for the Science
and Engineering Indicators Program.
Dr. Lynda Carlson discussed five draft data cards that
highlight specific Indicators-2000 data. Topics included Investment
in R&D, Science and Engineering Education and Workforce, and Information
Technology. The subcommittee recommended that the cards be printed and
distributed in sets. The subcommittee discussed three recent reports
on SEI, and heard a report from Dr. Carlson on the use of SEI, what
respondents are saying about the report, timeliness issues, and what
future volumes might look like.
Dr. Mitchell-Kernan gave an end of cycle report with recommendations
that included selecting three Indicators-2000 chapters for intensive
review, conducting a workshop focused on these chapters, and addressing
issues such as length, redundancy, content, tone, review process, and
deadlines. Her recommendations will be discussed further by the subcommittee
at its August meeting, directed by Dr. Richard Tapia, the new S&EI Subcommittee
Chair.
Legislation to maintain Indicators and six other
NSF publications as Congressionally mandated was introduced in the House
and passed under suspension of the rules on April 4, 2000. There may
be an opportunity to have similar legislation attached to a Senate bill.
Dr. Marta Cehelsky, NSB Executive Officer, and Bill Noxon, OLPA, provided
information on the "roll out" process to publicize Indicators-2000.
C-SPAN, business media, CNN, national television coverage, press releases,
and Weblinks all will be intensely pursued to reach more targets and
highlight interesting stories such as education and the digital divide.
It is also hoped that Board members will become involved in this process
as they have done in the past.
h. International Issues in S&E (ISE)
The task force discussed a list of draft issues/opportunities
developed by NSB staff as a springboard for developing a core set of
issues and a conceptual framework for structuring an interim report,
due in December. Among the issues discussed were coordination and communication.
The absence of any mention of NSF or any science agency in the recently
released White House memorandum on International Education policy was
noted, and it was suggested that the absence of input from science agencies
is likely to diminish the chance of effective implementation of the
recommendations.
The task force proposed to focus on gaps-areas where something
could be done better or where a void could be filled-rather than duplicating
existing activities. Alternative approaches for structuring the interim
report were discussed, and a focus on seven issues of major current
importance was adopted: 1) foreign policy, 2) international economic
policy, 3) the developing world, 4) energy, 5) environment, 6) health,
and 7) education and research. In order to have an initial rough draft
ready by the August Board meeting, the task force plans to schedule
a number of conference calls between now and August.
i. Strategic S&E Policy Issues (SPI)
The committee heard a presentation from Dr. Maxine Singer,
Chair and Dr. Marye Anne Fox, member, of the Committee on Science, Engineering
and Public Policy (COSEPUP) on the benchmarking experiments COSEPUP
has recently completed. The committee then discussed with the presenters
the utility of this methodology for priority setting across fields of
research. The committee heard a brief review of the status of its current
activities by its executive secretary, and a presentation by Donna Fossum
of RAND on ambiguities in definitions and data measuring Federally-funded
research and R&D. Members agreed to continue the discussion by telephone
conference, and asked that materials presented at the meeting and a
mock-up of workshops for discussion be mailed as background for the
conference call. The central focus for that conference call will be
the strategy for providing constructive input to the new Administration
in December, 2000.
j. Communication & Outreach (CCO)
CCO members reviewed the draft of the committee's final
report, titled Communicating Science and Technology in the Public
Interest. They made minor changes to the three recommendations.
The committee plans to post the draft on NSB's web site and invite comments
from Board members and other interested parties. Prior to the August
Board meeting, CCO members will have a teleconference to discuss any
further revisions. The report will be presented to the Board for approval
at the August meeting.
k. NSB 50th Anniversary Task Force
The committee heard a report from Terry Savage, Low+Associates,
and Deborah Shapley, journalist, on the 50th anniversary commemorative
brochure. All highlights from 1950-1970 are complete and the 1980's
and 1990's are in the final production stage. There will be 26 items
highlighted in the brochure. Ms. Savage noted that the introduction
will be written after the highlights are completed. The committee discussed
who should be invited to serve as an external reviewer, and agreed on
a two-step process scheduled for May 15 - 26: The full text will be
reviewed first, and then all former NSB chairs will be asked to review
portions related to their term as Chair. All conflicting comments will
be arbitrated through the Board Office.
The committee discussed the December 12, 2000 celebratory
event at the Carnegie Institution of Washington (CIW), including the
guest list, proposed budget, program, and type of awards to present.
The committee asked staff for additional information on space available
at CIW, and possible types of entertainment. The committee will hold
a conference call in early June for further discussion of the December
event.
l. Committee on NSB Nominees for 2008
The committee discussed the process for review and selection
of candidates to forward to the White House in January 2001, and heard
a report on the number of nominations received. The committee was informed
that at this time there is a shortfall in minority nominations.
________________
Marta Cehelsky
Executive Officer
Attachment 1: NSB-00-97
Attachment 2: NSB-00-108
Attachment 3: NSB-00-109
Attachment 4: NSB-00-110
Attachment 1 to NSB-00-105
NSB-00-97
April 24, 2000
MEMORANDUM TO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD
SUBJECT: NSB Meeting Dates for Calendar Year 2001
As part of its annual business conducted at the May meeting,
the Board approves its meeting schedule for the next calendar year.
For the specified meeting times, we have polled Members'
offices to assure attendance by the highest number of individuals possible.
We have also taken into account possible conflicts with holidays and
with major meetings of professional and scientific organizations. You
were provided with a list of these meetings during the polling process
to help you identify conflicts.
2001 Calendar of National Science Board Meetings
January 31, February 1, 2 (Wednesday/Thursday/Friday)
[Policy Meeting and Board Retreat]
March 14, 15 (Wednesday/Thursday)
May 23, 24 (Wednesday/Thursday) [Annual Meeting]
August 8, 9 (Wednesday/Thursday)
October 10, 11 (Wednesday/Thursday)
November 14, 15 (Wednesday, Thursday)
Executive Committee
January 17
June/July (TBD)
The following resolution is proposed for your consideration.
The National Science Board approves the schedule of Board meeting
dates for Calendar Year 2001 as contained in NSB-00-97.
Marta Cehelsky
Executive Officer
Attachment 2 to NSB-00-105
NSB-00-108
May 5, 2000
Committee on Programs and Plans
The Committee on Programs and Plans (CPP) provides guidance
and advice on major policy issues related to the NSF research and related
activities portfolio, reviews proposals representing a significant expenditure
of agency resources, and makes informal recommendations, as appropriate,
to the Board for its full consideration and action.
I. The Committee engages in review of long-range planning
for NSF research initiatives, and monitors their development and implementation.
This is reflected in the Committee's deliberations on:
- processes for infrastructure planning and consideration
of candidates for large infrastructure investments;
- opportunities created by new discoveries; joint ventures
across Federal agencies, U.S. economic sectors, or national boundaries;
and Administration or Congressional priorities; and
- agency award processes, addressed under such issues
as the use of panels in addition to mail merit reviews; new awards v.
renewals or supplementary awards; re-competition; sunsetting or phase-out;
and the use of new criteria for merit review in consonance with the
other standing committees of the Board.
II. Through comprehensive review and discussion, the Committee
may submit informal recommendations for full consideration and Board
action on:
- proposed awards for NSB approval as required by law
and as set forth in the NSB delegation of authority;
- programs and major new projects/facilities, including
management issues, where appropriate;
- priorities and balance in the NSF research and related
activities portfolio, including cross-cutting initiatives; and
- Task force reports assigned to its purview.
Attachment 3 to NSB-00-105
NSB-00-109
May 5, 2000
Committee on Education and Human Resources
The Committee on Education and Human Resources (EHR) is
charged with two principal roles. It provides guidance and advice on
major policy issues related to the NSF Education and Training portfolio,
and reviews proposals representing a significant expenditure of agency
resources. It also provides advice on major national policy issues in
education and human resource development. The Committee makes informal
recommendations, as appropriate, for the Board's full consideration
and action.
I. The Committee engages in review of long-range planning
of NSF education programs and initiatives, monitoring their development
and integration with research. This is reflected in the Committee's
deliberations on:
- the demand for and supply of scientists, engineers,
and technicians for the Nation's workforce, especially the access to
participation in science and engineering by diverse populations-minorities,
women, persons with disabilities and those disadvantaged and underserved;
and
- the preparation of the American citizenry for effective
understanding and use of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.
II. Through comprehensive review and discussion, the Committee
may submit informal recommendations for full consideration and action
by the Board on:
- proposed awards for NSB approval as required by law
and as set forth in the NSB delegation of authority;
- programs and major new projects/facilities, including
management of awards and structures;
- task force reports assigned to its purview; and
- priorities and balance of support among NSF programs
devoted to preschool, K-12, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral
education; to faculty development; and to informal science learning,
appreciation and understanding by the general public.
III. The EHR Committee supports the Board's national policy
role in elementary, secondary, higher and informal education, lifelong
learning, and human resource development in science, mathematics, engineering
and technology. This support includes:
- recommending specific actions to the Board to improve
science education in coordination with other agencies and organizations
(private and nonprofit); and
- supervising, through its Subcommittee on Science & Engineering
Indicators, preparation, review and recommendation to the Board of publication
of the biennial Science and Engineering Indicators report.
Attachment 4 to NSB-00-105
NSB-00-110
May 5, 2000
Committee on Audit and Oversight
The Audit and Oversight Committee (A&O) has three main
functions: general supervision of the NSF Inspector General, as delegated
by the Board; oversight of major agency administrative processes and
principal administrative systems; and review of the agency's GPRA requirements.
As appropriate, A&O makes informal recommendations to the Board for
its full consideration and action.
I. Pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978 ("Act"),
as amended, and NSB delegation, A&O has general supervision over the
NSF Inspector General (IG) and its Office. The IG's office serves as
an independent and objective unit responsible under the Act for:
- conducting and supervising audits relating to NSF's
programs and operations;
- providing leadership and coordination and recommending
policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency and
effectiveness and prevent and detect fraud and abuse in the administration
of NSF programs and operations; and investigating cases involving misconduct
in science; and
- preparing and transmitting to the NSB, for forwarding
to the Congress, semiannual reports summarizing the activities of the
Office during the immediately preceding six month periods ending March
31 and September 30.
II. A&O also provides the primary means for keeping the
NSB fully and currently informed of problems and deficiencies relating
to the administration of NSF programs and operations and the necessity
for and progress of corrective action. The A&O Committee may report
to the NSB, as necessary, on:
- recommendations of all U.S. General Accounting Office
reports involving NSF, including follow-up on subsequent performance;
- the Annual Audit Plan; significant audit findings and
recommendations; and
- special investigations into any matters concerning the
agency's compliance with the law, integrity or ethics of its management,
financial statements, or adequacy of its internal accounting controls.
III. The Committee oversees the implementation by NSF
management of the agency's principal administrative systems and internal
controls, including:
- the Proposal and Award System, including a statistical
report on proposal disposition for each fiscal year, the Director's
annual report on merit review;
- the status of the agency's internal accounting and administrative
controls systems, as required by applicable legislation;
- NSF's management information systems consistent with
applicable legislation; and
- the NSF personnel system, including its functioning
and effectiveness.
IV. The Committee reviews the agency's strategic planning
documents, which report on and communicate NSF's stewardship and outcomes-based
performance.
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