07 - 015 Non-Employee Travel

A.   SUMMARY

Certain individuals that are not employees of Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ may periodically incur Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ business-related travel expenses. These individuals are subject to the same travel guidelines as Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ employees. Typical non-employees who travel on Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ business include job applicants, guest speakers, students (both graduate and undergraduate), members of Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ Boards of Trustees, volunteers, and paid consultants.

For paid consultants, provisions for reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses, including travel costs, should be included in each consulting agreement. If an agreement does not include such provisions, the consultant must follow the terms set out for Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ employees as published in the other policies included in this section. Consultants incurring out of pocket travel costs associated with their work for Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ must invoice their travel expenses as a component of their service fees. These costs should be charged to a Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ account codes in the 717 – Professional Services range, and will be included on the U.S. Form 1099 (or equivalent) issued each year.

For all other non-employees, a request for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred using the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ Non-Employee Travel Reimbursement form must be submitted along with all original receipts for any non-employee cost reimbursement.

B.   SPECIFIC PROCEDURES

1.   Non-employees may make their own travel arrangements at the discretion of the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ department authorizing the travel, provided they fully adhere to all Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ Travel Policies/Procedures.

2.   Non-employees may not receive Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ cash advances for any costs.

3.   Rental vehicles:

a.   Non-employees traveling with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ employees who rent a vehicle using their Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ Purchasing Card will have CDW and LDW coverage under the Master Card Guide to Benefits only if their names are on the auto rental agency contract at the time the vehicle is picked up. Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ travelers should verify coverage with the rental agency prior to allowing non-employees to drive rental vehicles. If in doubt, a Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ employee should complete the rental and drive the vehicle (see Procedure 07-010 Vehicle Rental Expenses).

b.   All other non-employees traveling on Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ business who rent a vehicle are not covered for CDW or LDW under Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ insurance policies. These travelers should purchase both the CDW and LDW and request reimbursement from Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ.

4.   A non-employee traveling on Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ business that has been approved by the Department Head may be reimbursed for mileage at the IRS mileage rate or a lesser amount. The business purpose must be clearly documented.

5.   Travel Meals: Reimbursements should follow the guidelines for Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ employees (see Procedure 07-007 Travel Meals). The Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ business purpose must be provided to determine if the meal falls under the IRS Accountable Plan Rules or if the meal cost is taxable compensation.

6.   Special visa rules apply to foreign individuals who:

a. Are not Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ employees,
b. Travel on behalf of Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÊÓÆµ either to or from the U.S., and
c. Receive reimbursement for that travel.

Departments should contact their campus Office of International Students/Studies for assistance in this area.


The official version of this information will only be maintained in an on-line web format. Any and all printed copies of this material are dated as of the print date. Please make certain to review the material on-line prior to placing reliance on a dated printed version. 

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