112 STAT. 1788 PUBLIC LAW 105-244—OCT. 7, 1998 a nongovernmental entity to administer the program assisted under this subpart, by such nongovernmental entity; (C) appoint panels of academic scholars with distinguished backgrounds in the arts, humanities, and social sciences for the purpose of selecting fellows, except that, in the event that the Secretary enters into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to administer the program, such panels may be appointed by such nongovernmental entity; and Reports. (D) prepare and submit to the Congress at least once in every 3-year period a report on any modifications in the program that the Board determines £u*e appropriate.
- (3) CONSULTATIONS.—In carrying out its responsibilities,
the Board shall consult on a regular basis with representatives of the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and representatives of institutions of higher education and associations of such institutions, learned societies, and professional organizations. "(4) TERM.—The term of office of each member of the Board shall be 4 years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the term for which the predecessor of the member was appointed. No member may serve for a period in excess of 6 years.
- (5) INITIAL MEETING; VACANCY.— The Secretary shall call
the first meeting of the Board, at which the first order of business shall be the election of a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson, who shall serve until 1 year after the date of the appointment of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Thereafter each officer shall be elected for a term of 2 years. In case a vacancy occurs in either office, the Board shall elect an individual from among the members of the Board to fill such vacancy. "(6) QUORUM; ADDITIONAL MEETINGS.— (A) A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. "(B) The Board shall meet at least once a year or more frequently, as may be necessary, to carry out the Board's responsibilities.
- (7) COMPENSATION. —Members of the Board, while serving
on the business of the Board, shall be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding the rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule, including travel time, and while so serving away from liieir homes or regular places of business, the members may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons in Government service employed intermittently. "flj) USE OF SELECTION PANELS.— The recipiente of fellowships shall be selected in each designated field from among all applicante nationwide in each field by distinguished panels appointed by the Board to make such selections under criteria established by the Board, except that, in the event that the Secretary enters into a contract with a nongovernmental entity to administer the program, such panels may be appointed by such nongovernmental entity. The number of recipiente in each field in each year shall
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