Operating Policies and Procedures Manual


Effective Date: 07/01/97
Policy Number: 05-24
Section: Finance and Administration
Subject: Travel: Expense Allowances


POLICY
  1. For staff, reimbursement is made for actual expenditures for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses of a reasonable nature not to exceed the maximums set by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (ADFA).
  2. For non-staff, reimbursement of expenses is limited to actual lodging, meal and incidental expenses of a reasonable nature.
  3. Reimbursement of expenses to be charged to sponsored gifts, grants or contracts made to the university must be in full compliance with the specific terms of the gift, grant or contract as well as this policy.
  4. Expenses of a personal nature, such as for personal insurance, alcoholic beverages, cleaning, laundry, valet service, extra meals, etc. are not allowed.
  5. Expenses are allowed for the following:
    1. Meals and Lodging - Standard in-state rate: maximum of$70 plus tax per day for lodging and a maximum of $39 plus tax per day for food (no in-state or out-of-state meal reimbursement is made without overnight lodging); standard out-of-state rate: maximum of $70 plus tax per day for lodging and a maximum of $39 plus tax per day for food. Exceptions to these amounts can be found on the travel site at http://finance.astate.edu/travel/forms.html.
      1. If two or more staff share the same room, the total claimed for reimbursement must not exceed the total paid for the room.
      2. Receipted, itemized statements are required from the hotel or motel for all lodging expenses. Summary statements provided by credit card companies are not considered receipts.

    Note: Many hotels and motels offer an educational or government rate upon request at the time reservations are made.

    1. Telephone and telegraph expenses incurred for official business. Receipts required.
    2. Miscellaneous transportation and related expenses such as taxi, bus, airport, limousine or parking expenses. Long-term parking is encouraged. Receipts required.
    3. Registration (when not paid in advance) and/or other allowable meeting expenses when necessary to carry out the purpose of the trip. Receipts required.

  6. On the "Travel Authorization" form, staff members may request through the vice chancellor for finance and administration approval to exceed the daily maximum rate to cover lodging expenses for both in-state and out-of-state travel. The request must be submitted prior to the beginning of the trip. The daily limits on meals and lodging are available at http://finance.astate.edu/travel/forms.html.

This page is maintained by Cassey Tune
Last updated on 01/21/2008