Campus & Community

Office of the Chief Financial Officer Releases Updated University Gift Policy

Monday, October 21, 2024, By Jennifer DeMarchi

Syracuse University has updated its policy governing gifts, including retirement and life event gifts, charitable gifts and unallowable gifts. The updated policy, which applies to all University faculty, staff and students, can be found here.

Some items of note included within the policy:

  • Life event gifts to employees: These tangible gifts (such as flowers) may be presented to the employee as an expression of celebration in the event of the birth or adoption of a child; an expression of concern in the event an employee has an illness, is hospitalized or undergoes surgery; or an expression of sympathy in the event of the death of the employee or a member of the employee’s immediate family or household. Historically, the policy limited the gift value to $75, but the updated policy will increase this limit to $150 per gift.
  • Retirement gifts to University employees: These gifts, which can be given to retiring employees with more than five years of service to the University, are allowable up to $400, which is the current IRS threshold for taxability. The value of the gift has not changed, but the “meaningful presentation” provision of the policy has been eliminated.
  • Unallowable gifts: While no updates have been made to the “Unallowable Gifts” section of the policy, University staff and faculty are reminded that gifts for celebratory events and/or to honor individuals for personal, non-work related achievements or events (e.g., birthdays, holidays, Administrative Professionals’ Day, termination of employment that is not retirement, weddings, baby showers, house-warming, etc.) should not be purchased with University funds.
  • Unallowable gifts to government officials: As the University is a registered lobbying organization, state and federal laws regulate the giving of gifts to local, state and federal officials by any employee. The University does not allow giving gifts to elected officials or government employees. Also not allowed are tokens of appreciation or recognition, or providing travel or meals related to official University events or business, without first contacting the Office of Government and Community Relations.

Faculty and staff members can contact the Comptroller’s Office at 315.443.3765 with any questions related to this policy.