NSB/EC-98-10
(Revised)

March 20, 1998


MEMORANDUM TO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD

SUBJECT:        Preliminary Report of March 16 and March 19, 1998 Executive
                Committee Meetings

The actions of the Executive Committee at its meetings on March 16 and March
19, 1998 are summarized here for the information of Board members.


1.  NSB Resolution on the Proposed National Institute for the Environment

Following up on the NSB budget and long range planning discussion at the
February 1998 Board meeting, the Executive Committee drafted and approved a
resolution concerning the proposed National Institute for the Environment, on
which the National Science Foundation was asked to comment by the conference
report accompanying the FY 1998 Appropriations Act.  A copy of the resolution
is attached.

The Executive Committee also reviewed the draft response to the conference
report prepared by NSF and found it consistent with the policy described in
the NSB resolution.


2.  NSB Election Procedure

The Executive Committee reviewed the proposed procedure for the NSB elections
for Board officers and for members of the Executive Committee and agreed on a
final framework that will be sent to the Board.


3.  NSB Calendar

Noting concerns raised by Board members with respect to the existing NSB
calendar, the Executive Committee agreed to a framework that would be
presented to the Board for approval at the annual meeting in May.  The
framework, which follows, eliminates the October NSB meeting and adds a Board
meeting in March.

1998 (these meetings are already on the calendars of NSB members):

* May 6-7-8
* August 12-13-14
* November 18-19-20

1999 (dates to be determined-not yet on NSB member calendars):

* February:  NSB off-site policy meeting and retreat
* March
* Early May
* Late July or early August
* Mid-to-late November

The NSB Executive Officer was asked to poll members with respect to the new
calendar and possible meeting dates.


3.  May Awards Activities

The Executive Committee approved a plan regarding the annual NSB awards
ceremony in May 1998 that would alter, on an experimental basis, the format
and location of the event. The format would consist of an awards ceremony,
with a larger attendance than has been traditional, followed by an evening
reception.  All the events will take place at the National Press Club.



                                       _____________________
                                       Marta Cehelsky
                                       Executive Officer