In a series of listening sessions Jan. 16-19, members of the Travel Budget Response Team took questions and heard feedback on travel policy changes projected to save $630,000 over the next three years.
In a Jan. 16 session recorded by video at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, budget response team representatives Laura Gonnerman, associate legal counsel for University of Nebraska Central Administration; James Vogel, University Services business manager at University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Michael Christen, assistant director of business services at the University of Nebraska at Kearney; discussed everything from how the new policy will affect extension educators’ blanket travel authorization to whether a traveler can still use a personal credit card for air travel when it offers advantages like free baggage checking.
A key provision of the new policy, which would take effect July 1, is that it will provide a single portal, through the Concur software system, for both booking and reimbursement. Airfare, car rentals and hotel reservations would be booked and processed through Concur and the university’s travel management company, Travel and Transport. Outside bookings and reimbursements would not be permitted unless Travel and Transport services are not available.
“It’s truly one place for your travel,” Vogel said. “It creates standardization and efficiency for travelers and travel staff across all four campuses.”
After some in the Jan. 15 audience raised concerns, Gonnerman and Christen said the travel team is continuing to work to ensure the new system meets the needs of university travelers. Additional feedback can be emailed to travel@nebraska.edu, preferably by Feb. 2.
