Travel Policy

In order to comply with the Internal Revenue Service Code and to maintain records that the College may be required to provide in the event of an audit, the following guidelines have been outlined for use by employees traveling on behalf of the College.

GENERAL

Saint Mary's College fully reimburses expenses for administrative or academic business travel, provided that such expenses fall within budgetary limits and reasonably conform to the College's travel policy. All travel and associated costs must be pre-approved by the appropriate budget unit manager who is authorized to do so.

CASH ADVANCES

If necessary, employees may request a Cash Advance for out of pocket travel expenses, to be approved by the appropriate authorized signer.  For further information, see the Cash Advance policy.

REPORTING

Expense Reports are used to request reimbursement of employee travel expenses, and are designed to satisfy IRS audit requirements.  Receipts in foreign currency are to be converted to USD and the USD amount reflected on the receipt(s).  See Expense Reports for more details and the form.

The employee should provide an Expense Report to the Business Office within 10 days after incurring expenditures. The Expense Report must identify the business purpose and include original receipts for all expenses when one is available.** Missing/lost receipt tolerance is $25 and must be fully explained.  **For example, mileage, per diem, and tips for non-meal related expenses such as baggage/hotel staff would not require receipts.

The Expense Report must be approved by an authorized signer for the account number being charged, and who is of higher reporting authority than the recipient of the reimbursement. Funds will be issued within 7to 10 working days after the Expense Report is received in the Business Office, providing everything is in order.

MEALS

College policy allows for reimbursement of all reasonable per diem meal expenses up to $51, inclusive of tips.  Meal costs exceeding this amount must be documented with receipts, and are subject to department approval.  Meal related tips must be reflected on the receipt to which they are related.  When meals are paid for others, their names and the business purpose must be documented on the Expense Report.  It is not appropriate to request reimbursement for those meals provided by a conference or not within an appropriate period of time on the days of travel (e.g.: leaving home/work at 11:00 a.m. would disallow the breakfast meal or per diem).

Maximum daily meal per diem breakdown: $ 9.00 Breakfast
$13.00 Lunch
$29.00 Dinner

OTHER EXPENSES

Other miscellaneous business related expenses (such as taxi service or airport parking) are also reimbursable.  Not reimbursable: movie rentals, gym fees and non-business related entertainment expenses. Note:  A $5 per day per diem is allowed for tips related to baggage claim/hotel staff, etc.

TRANSPORTATION

The method of travel chosen must be the most economical option available. The College reserves the right to reduce a reimbursement request if it is determined a more cost effective choice was available.

Airline Travel

Reservations for air travel must be made at the lowest available rate.  First or Business Class seating is not appropriate, unless it is offered as an upgrade at no additional cost. Although the College permits accumulation of "frequent flyer" miles for personal use, reservations are not to be made with a particular airline if less expensive airfare is available from another carrier

Use of Personal Automobile/Mileage

Mileage expenses for local (see FAQ’s) travel will be reimbursed at the standard business mileage rate as set by the IRS.  (Refer to the back of the Expense Report form or contact the Business Office for the current rate.)  Mileage expenses are allowable as follows:

  • Round trip travel between the employee’s home and College office is considered to be standard commute mileage and is therefore not allowed for reimbursement. (IRS reg. 1.262-1(b) (5)).
  • When traveling on a normal working day, between home and an off campus business location, employees may claim only the mileage above and beyond the standard commute.  (ie if driving a total of 100 miles, and the employee’s standard commute is 20 miles, 80 miles may be claimed for reimbursement).
  • When traveling on a non-work day directly from home to a business location, employees may claim full reimbursement for the miles driven (note: no mileage may be claimed at any time for travel directly to the College).
  • When traveling between the College and an off campus business location, the employee may claim the round trip mileage from the office to the destination. 

FAQ’s:

  • What if I work on my day off? In the event an employee works at a College Campus on their day off, it is considered commute and is not reimbursable due to the following conditions of employment:  An exempt employee, by classification, must work as necessary to perform/complete duties as required.  Non exempt employees required to work on their regular day off are to be compensated monetarily according to California labor law.   
  • What if it is cheaper to reimburse the cost of gas for a long trip? For lengthy travel where it is more cost effective to reimburse the cost of gas, it is appropriate to do so under the following conditions:  It is agreeable to the individual driving, since the IRS rate allows for wear and tear on the vehicle; and it is reasonably evident the gas is fully used for the trip involved.
  • What if I go to several different off campus business locations during the day, including visits to the College and/or back home?  When multiple locations are visited during the day, the employee should calculate the total miles driven for the day (from beginning to end) and deduct the standard commute.

How to Report

The to and from locations, along with the business purpose of the trip, must be identified on the Expense Report for reimbursement.  For multiple trips use the Mileage Reimbursement Form (xlsx) and attach it to the back of the Expense Report Form.  Employees whose positions require regular or semi-regular travel should submit requests on a monthly basis.

Insurance Claims

In the event  of an insurance claim while using a personal vehicle, the employee's auto insurance would be primary.  (Questions regarding insurance issues should be directed to Administrative Services at extension #4571.)

Rental Vehicles

Rental of an automobile is authorized when necessary while traveling. Rental arrangements should be made at the lowest available rate and well in advance of the travel date. When renting a vehicle for College business travel, supplemental insurance coverage should be declined. It is not appropriate to seek reimbursement for automobile rental expenses if less costly transportation is available or if the automobile is rented strictly for personal use.

LODGING

Employees are responsible for obtaining their own hotel accommodations at the lowest rate possible. Corporate rates should always be requested. Accommodations may be made in advance with a purchase order to the vendor if they will invoice the College. If not, a check made payable to the vendor can be issued for the estimated cost of the stay. A Check Request with the hotel confirmation and costs attached may be submitted to the Business Office and either mailed in advance to the hotel or picked up and given directly to the hotel upon check in. Another option is to submit a requisition to use the College Procurement Card to secure hotel confirmation and make payment for the stay. Most hotels require provision of a credit card upon check-in to cover incidentals. Employees who have their own P Card may use that to reserve and/or pay for lodging.

Updated: February 2014