14.10 Travel Authorization

last updated: 10/25/2006

Purpose:	To provide guidelines and procedures for travel for The University of Arizona employees, students and affiliates.
Policy Owner:	Operations - Travel

University travel is governed through State of Arizona statutes, Arizona Board of Regents policy, and the State of Arizona Accounting Manual.  

Who and What Qualifies for Travel

1. Travel reimbursement for food and lodging is only for travel over 35 miles from the employee's duty post.

2. Individuals who are eligible to be paid through the FSO-Operations travel process are employees, students, volunteers and other affiliates traveling for university business purposes. If the volunteer or affiliate is a non-resident alien they need to be paid on a check request according to Section 9.16 in the FRS Manual.  

   Any individual who is eligible to be reimbursed for travel expenses who is a visitor or an independent contractor, needs to be paid on a check request according to Section 9.12 for US citizens and Section 9.16 for non-resident aliens in the FRS Manual.

   Only current employees are covered with insurance under the Worker's Compensation program through the State of Arizona. Non-Employees are responsible for obtaining their own health and accident insurance.
   
   If occasional employee travel expenses are included on an Operational Advance (see the FRS 9.15 Operational Advances policy) they must be documented and approved according to the Travel Policy. Also, the Travel Authorization Number must be referenced on the Operational Advance documents. An operational advance may not be used in place of a Travel Advance. Travel Advances may only be issued to active University employees or current graduate students whose travel is funded with gift, designated or sponsored projects accounts.
    
   

3. Long-Term Travel:  See 14.13 Per diem reimbursement
    

4. Travel must be authorized and documented prior to all official University travel activities, and a Travel Authorization Form must be filled out, even if travel expenses will not be charged to the University. This ensures that:

   1. Travel plans have been authorized by the appropriate departmental approving authority;

   2. Funds are available;

   3. The traveler can document their official travel status if needed for Risk Management purposes;

   4. The travel has a legitimate business purpose; in the best interest of the university.

   5. The travel meets the IRS Accountable Plan
   
   

5. The following approvals must be obtained:

   1. Traveler must sign if he/she is requesting an advance.

   2. Their Supervisor or the Principal Investigator (sponsored projects accounts) must review and approve the travel authorization ensuring that the travel is for a valid public purpose, funds are available, when applicable, travel is authorized under the terms of the grant or contract and if the traveler is driving his or her own vehicle, they must have current vehicle insurance and a valid drivers license.

   3. If the department head, director, or the PI will be traveling, their supervisor or the individual authorized to approve on behalf of the supervisor must approve.
       

6. University travel is authorized in accordance with the following principles. 

   1. When personal contact is the most economical method of conducting official University business.

   2. Representation at a convention or meeting outside of the State should be limited to essential employees..

   3. Attendance by University employees at an out of state educational or training seminars if funds for that purpose are available and such education or training is not available in Arizona and is directly job related.

   4. Selection of the most economical method of transportation in terms of expense to the State and the employee's time away from the office.

   5. If a privately owned vehicle is used for travel, the employee has sufficient insurance coverage.

   Non-Reimbursable Expenses

7. Personal Travel - When extending a business trip using personal time, the traveler will be eligible for reimbursement of lodging and meals only for the time he or she is conducting business for the university.  Personal time needs to be approved when the trip is authorized.

8. Travel expenses for family members unless there is a compelling business reason.

9. Personal Phone calls or movies.

10. Insurance:

    1. Costs for personal accident, medical insurance, and collision damage insurance waiver (CDW) included in the car rental agreement or flight insurance are personal expenses and will not be reimbursed to current employees since they are covered by Workers's Compensation. The only exceptions are when a vehicle is rented overseas and the traveler is required to get insurance for that country, or the traveler is under 25 and the rental company requires their own insurance.

    2. Personal Medical Insurance since current employees are covered by Workers's Compensation and other travelers need to secure their own health insurance. If the travel is out of the United States the traveler needs to review Risk Management’s International Travel Insurance Program especially if they will be going to a sanctioned country, in which case the traveler needs to contact Risk Management in advance.

    Non-Travel Business Expenses

11. Business related expenses incurred while on travel status may be claimed on the Travel Expense Report. All expenses must be supported by original itemized receipts.  For receipt information see the Receipt Requirement section. 
    
    Payment for services (such as Independent Contractors) should be paid with a purchase order.

    Exceptions
     

12. Travel involving the following, regardless of the source of funding, must be explained  and approved on the travel authorization form:

    1. The traveler will be on long term travel status (more than 30 days).  See additional requirements for funding and per diem on long term travel.

    2. Personal time will be taken in combination with travel.

    3. Use of airfare other than coach/economy.

    4. Use of private, chartered or rented aircraft or rented motor vehicle.

    5. Vehicle taken out of state (whether private, rented or state-owned).

    6. Lodging charges in excess of established policy limits, which is not designated lodging as shown on a conference brochure.

    7. Foreign travel, excluding Canada and Mexico, on State accounts.

    Group/Team Travel

13. When team travel, field trips or group travel are taken, the coach or advisor (must be employees) and any other University employees, students or affiliates traveling with the group/team must: