Travel Policy Changes from Restructuring Presented by Jason Sayre, Travel Supervisor – Controller’s Office Wednesday, June 24 th and Tuesday, July 7 th Torgersen Hall Sessions

Travel Policy Changes Presentation Agenda Brief history leading up to July 1 st changes – Virginia Restructuring Act, authority for changes Goals of changes and their magnitude on University in perspective Review of each major policy change Brief walk-through of travel forms that required modification due to restructuring Any further questions regarding changes?

Brief history leading up to July 1 st changes

Travel Policy Changes Brief History : Budget reductions leading to the idea of Virginia’s Restructuring Act 2005: Higher Education Restructured Operations Act passed 2006: Management Agreements legislation enacted for UVA, W&M, and VT (VCU) – VT Management Agreement – includes administrative authority over operations of the University Accounting System, independent of state system

Travel Policy Changes Brief History : Working collaboratively, restructured Universities developed a list of ideal travel policy changes (Wendell Vest – VT) 2009: David Von Moll, State Comptroller, provided feedback and suggested changes for modifications 2009: Dwight Shelton, VT VP for Finance & CFO, approves changes; new policies will be effective July 1st

Goals of changes and magnitude

Travel Policy Changes Goals of changes & magnitude Goals – Increased institutional flexibility – Increased effectiveness and efficiency – Continued good stewardship and responsible spending of public funds – Continued communications between departments and Controller’s Office on beneficial changes that can be made

Travel Policy Changes Goals of changes & magnitude Magnitude in perspective: – VT Mission Statement - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is a public land-grant university serving the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. The discovery and dissemination of new knowledge are central to its mission. Through its focus on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement, the university creates, conveys, and applies knowledge to expand personal growth and opportunity, advance social and community development, foster economic competitiveness, and improve the quality of life. – Travel Expenses % of 2008 Operating Expenses, per 2008 VT Financial Report footnotes ($33.5 million) – ~ 27,000 Travel Vouchers received at Controller’s Office annually

Review of Changes

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes Estimate and approval form no longer required to be submitted to the Controller’s Office – Travelers still encouraged to budget their travel – Individuals must still attach form to departmental copy of travel voucher when required In accordance with departmental policies All International Travel should be sent to OESRC for approval (Instructions on Estimate and Approval Form) All International Travel telecommunications charges should be sent to CNS for approval

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes Allowable lodging/M&IE per-diems for overnight travel will now be CONUS (Domestic travel) / OCONUS (Non-domestic travel) rates – Rates are determined by federal government through cost survey data – CONUS rates are updated annually; OCONUS rates are updated monthly – More complete cost data for domestic locations (i.e.. Vail, Colorado) enhances reasonableness

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes Lodging exception approval process modified to be less restrictive – Authorized approver can approve up to 100% of the published lodging rate under CONUS / OCONUS after travel occurs (Conference Hotel only exception to these limits) – Circumstances justifying lodging exceptions must be present on face of travel voucher for authorized approver’s review (new field present that must be complete for all exceptions)

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes With shared lodging, allowable rates for one individual, plus extra costs for additional individuals (additional person(s) fee, rollaway fee, etc.), are all that is allowable University delegation of accounting approval authority to the departmental level is now formally recognized

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes Receipts are now required for tolls, parking, taxis, van and other for hire transportation if the claim exceeds $25 (previously $10) Authorized Approver may authorize business meal reimbursements 50% over the applicable CONUS/OCONUS meal per-diem Non-contracted travel agencies can direct bill the University for the purchase of airfare

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes Virginia Tech now referred to as a Covered Institution under the management agreement (previously State Agency) Covered Institutions can now develop their own forms (previously state must approve all form types) Reemphasizes that boarding pass is no longer required for reimbursement of travel expenses

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes All changes are effective July 1 st, 2009 Updated policies will be posted on our website on July 1 st Presentation, and executive summary of changes, will be available on Controller’s website under announcements on June 24 th Regularly scheduled travel training in Controller’s Office (third Wednesday of every month) offers a more detailed policy review

Travel Policy Changes Review of changes Remember per policy, “Travel rates and allowances listed in University travel procedures are the maximum amount the University may reimburse the traveler. Departments are permitted to reimburse travelers at rates lower than the maximum. When a department authorized a lower rate, the amount of the lower rate must be listed for each day.”

Modified Forms (1)Travel Expense Reimbursement Voucher (2)Estimate & Approval Form

Travel Policy Changes Modified Forms Travel Expense Reimbursement Voucher Modified to be more straightforward Data checks added to increase quality of information Estimate and Approval Form Requirements changed; new routing instructions included on form Retain original on file with department copy of travel voucher when required

Thank you to everybody! Questions? Travel Policy Changes