Travel Procedures

Documents Required Prior to Travel

All employees who travel on officially-sanctioned college business must submit an approved travel package to Finance and Administrative Services prior to traveling. This package should include the following documents:

(1) Travel Authorization Request (TA) (CO-112)

Your travel package must include a Travel Authorization Request (CO-112) if any of the following apply:

  • Out-of-state travel, regardless of cost
  • Registration fees of $25 or more for travel within the state
  • Blanket requests for employees traveling on a continuous basis as part of their duties
  • Reimbursement of expenses relating to tuition and or retraining

This form serves to summarize the entire travel package and provides an estimated detailed breakdown of anticipated travel related costs. It must be signed by the employee and approved by his or her supervisor prior to submission to Finance and Administrative Services. The Travel Reimbursement Chart provided by Finance and Administrative Services shows guidelines for allowable costs within specific categories.

This form is also used to request parking permits for parking at Bradley International Airport for approved college business. Complete Item 13 on the TA to request a parking permit. Upon approval, the parking permit can be picked up at Finance and Administrative Services one week prior to travel.

(2) Approved Purchase Requisitions

Approved purchase requisitions totaling the amount of travel-related expenses to be charged to the college must be included with your travel package. You should provide one requisition for each payee. Examples of payees include:

(3) Proof of Automobile Insurance

All state employees who are authorized by their agency head to use their own motor vehicles in performance of their duties must carry insurance for a minimum liability of $50,000/$100,000 and $5,000 in property damage or, in lieu thereof, a minimum of $100,000 for liability for bodily injury and property damage.

Proof of insurance must be on file in Finance and Administrative Services  before mileage reimbursement can be authorized. A copy of the face sheet of your automobile insurance policy should by included with your travel package, if you will be traveling by automobile.

(4) Professional Development Authorization Letter

Some bargaining units provide additional funds for professional development activities. Employees wishing to access these funds should contact Finance and Administrative Services to determine their eligibility and obtain an authorization letter. This letter must be included in your travel package.

(5) Miscellaneous Backup Documentation

Additional documentation might include:

  • Conference documentation detailing beginning and end dates
  • Notes of explanation on any extraordinary circumstances
  • Air flight itinerary (from Sanditz Travel)
  • Calculation of meal reimbursement request
  • Any other pertinent information relating to the travel

(6) Revised Travel Authorization Request

A revised TA (CO-112) must be completed and approved if any of the following conditions exist:

  • The mode of travel changes; i.e., personal auto instead of air travel.
  • The dates(s) and/or time of travel change.
  • Cost components are revised to include expenses not reflected on the original authorization.
  • The total cost of travel exceeds the amount authorized by 10% or more.

Allowable Cost Guidelines

Airfare

The state’s designated travel agent is Sanditz Business Travel Services, which provides travel services, including air, hotel and auto reservations, air travel information and airline ticketing. Upon agency approval of the  TA request, all state related business travel arrangements must be made in advance by contacting Sanditz Business Travel Services at 1-800-447-3381. Do not obtain tickets directly from an airline or non-designated travel agent.

Air flight costs assignable to the agency may not exceed the cost of a roundtrip ticket to/from the official destination.

Generally, airline tickets are non-refundable.

The procurement procedure for air flight is as follows:

  • Employee contacts Sanditz Business Travel Services directly to discuss needs and to estimate cost.
  • Sanditz faxes the employee a preliminary itinerary and cost schedule.
  • Employee prepares travel package, obtains necessary approvals and forwards documentation to Finance and Administrative Services for review.
  • Finance and Administrative Services audits travel package for compliance to state, agency and bargaining unit policies and procedures.
  • Dean of Administration, Director of Finance or Fiscal Administrative Supervisor approves travel package.
  • Finance and Administrative Services notifies employee of the travel authorization number required by travel agency to book the flight.
  • Employee calls Sanditz Business Travel to finalize itinerary. Upon verification of travel authorization number, Sanditz will book the flight.

Depending on the airline, the travel agency will:

  1. Send the actual ticket to Finance and Administrative Services prior to travel.
  2. Send an electronic ticket confirmation to Finance and Administrative Services prior to travel.
    Finance and Administrative Services will contact employee and make arrangements for the disbursement of the ticket, one to three days prior to travel. Actual tickets are to remain locked in the safe until disbursed.

Lodging

The cost of in-state lodging is not allowable.

The cost of lodging at an out-of-state non-conference hotel is determined by the Comptroller’s Per Diem Rates of Locality Schedule. Please contact Finance and Administrative Services to determine applicable rates for travel.  All claims for lodging must be supported by original receipts.

The cost of lodging at an out-of-state conference hotel is allowable. All claims for lodging must be supported by original receipts.

Meal Allowance

Reimbursement for the cost of meals is based on the applicable per diem rates established by current collective bargaining contracts.

Please contact Finance and Administrative Services for current rates for meal reimbursements.

Sales Tax

Sales tax estimates for lodging should be included as a separate line item on the TA. Contact the hotel to determine the actual rate.

Gratuities

Gratuities are allowable at up to 15% of the total cost of your meals.

Mileage Reimbursement

Mileage reimbursement for the use of a personal vehicle on authorized college business is based on the rate established by the U.S. General Service Administration (GSA). Each collective bargaining agreement may contain additional mileage reimbursement provisions. Please contact your division secretary for the current rate.

All state employees who are authorized by their agency head to use their own motor vehicles in performance of their duties must carry insurance for a minimum liability of $50,000/$100,000 and $5,000 in property damage or, in lieu thereof, a minimum of $100,00 for liability for bodily injury and property damage.

Proof of insurance must be on file in Finance and Administrative Services before mileage reimbursement can be authorized. A copy of the face sheet of your automobile insurance policy should be included with your travel package if you will be traveling by automobile.

Actual mileage incurred while traveling on college business will be reimbursed based on the terms and conditions specified in the collective bargaining contracts.

A detailed daily mileage log should be attached to the Employee Reimbursement Request form. Mileage will be audited utilizing the standards set forth by the State of Connecticut, Public Utilities Commission’s official mileage book.

Taxis/Shuttles

Reimbursement for these costs should be supported by paid receipts.

Registration Fees

Registration fees may be eligible for prepayment if all of the following conditions exit:

  1. An authorized request for prepayment is received in Finance and Administrative Services at least 45 days prior to registration payment due date.
  2. The conference sponsor is willing to accept a college purchase order or transfer invoice.
  3. The conference has a refund policy minimizing college liability.
  4. A separate purchase requisition is required for prepaid conference fees.
  5. Authorized conference fees prepaid by the employee and supported by paid receipts will be reimbursed by the agency.

Rail

Rail transportation must be arranged through Sanditz Business Travel. Please follow the procedures outlined for airfare.

Other

Other allowable costs may include:

  • Lump sum reimbursements as authorized by collective bargaining agreements: Contact Finance and Administrative Services to determine eligibility.
  • Tolls/Parking fees: Reimbursement of these fees must be supported by actual receipts.
  • Any additional costs related to official travel: Documentation must be provided.

Non-Allowable Costs

Non-allowable costs may include but are not limited to:

  • Automobile rentals except through state motor pool
  • Non-business related expenditures
  • Alcoholic beverages

Other Travel Considerations:

  • Funding through collective bargaining agreements
  • Special funding for tuition, retraining and travel may be available through funds established in the travel provisions of the collective bargaining contracts. A special appropriation is maintained by the State Comptroller (Agency Code 9916) to provide money for classified unit members.

Cancellation of Travel

Once travel arrangements have been finalized, it is the employee’s responsibility to make every effort to carry them out. In the case of an emergency, Finance and Administrative Services must be notified in writing immediately of the cancellation. The employee will be liable for any unrecoverable prepaid fees resulting from travel cancellations.

Reimbursements

Employee Reimbursement Request (CO-17XP-PR)

Reimbursement of expenses incurred while conducting approved college business is handled through the completion of an Employee Reimbursement Request (CO-17XP-PR) form. This form is used to report all non-payroll amounts including travel expenses (meals, lodging and mileage) and tuition and training costs captured through professional development and/or retraining funds. The signature of the employee requesting reimbursement is required. Additionally, the following documentation must be attached in order to obtain reimbursement:

  • Original receipts must be attached for:
    • (1) Expenditures of $25 or more
    • (2) Taxi/shuttle reimbursement
  • Airline tickets or copies
  • Detailed daily mileage log
    Timely submission of the CO-17XP-PR to Finance and Administrative Services is required to avoid delays in reimbursement. All employee reimbursement will be processed through the payroll system and included with the employee’s payroll check. Please call Finance and Administrative Services if there are any questions.

Federal Per Diem Rates

The federal government established a maximum per diem meal rate that applies to staff requesting reimbursement for travel expenses on form CO-17XP-PR. If the meal allowance claimed, based on the rates established in the collective bargaining agreements, exceeds the total federal allowance, the difference is reflected as earned income on your biweekly payroll check. Finance and Administrative Services will inform you if your reimbursement includes taxable income.

Contact

For more information, please contact Olive Flynn at 860-512-3639 or oflynn@manchestercc.edu.

 

Last updated .