Revised Travel and Entertainment Policy Announced, New Policy Reflects Community Feedback

Syracuse University has published a revised travel policy that formalizes the changes announced by Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele G. Wheatly earlier this year.  Under the revised policy, individuals traveling on University business are no longer required to book travel through BTI Travel on the Concur website. Travelers are, however, encouraged to used preferred vendors through Purchasing, but they may book travel through any vendor or website as long as they comply with the terms of the policy. Those terms include purchasing the lowest airfare available; choosing convenient, safe and reasonably priced hotel accommodations; and adequately documenting meal expenses. This revision applies to all University travel, including sponsored research and grant-funded travel.

The discontinuance of the relationship with BTI Travel was a result of collected input from faculty, staff and students about their travel routines, needs and challenges. “I appreciate the due diligence of the working group and the candid feedback provided by our faculty and staff,” says Provost Wheatly. “We now have a travel policy in place that supports the unique needs of our many community members that travel for various reasons, including for research, study, athletics and administration. As always, we must continue to evaluate changing trends in the travel space and be prepared to adjust accordingly to the evolving travel landscape.”