Review Updated Travel and Purchasing Policies
July 1, 2026
To: University Community
From: Finance and Budget
Subject: Review Updated Travel and Purchasing Policies
Date: Jul 01, 2026
The university has revised several financial policies under the Travel policy section and the purchasing methods table to reflect new guidance and procedures for purchasing and travel, effective July 1.
Updates to the Travel policy section
The following policies were updated:
- Travel Request Approval (formerly Travel Authorization)
- Travel Payment and Funding (formerly Travel Funding)
- Accountable Plan
- Meal Travel Allowance (formerly Meal Reimbursement)
- Lodging
- Transportation
- Travel Changes and Cancellations
Key policy changes include:
- Travel reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses is limited to qualified and approved expenditures incurred while conducting university business that could not reasonably be paid using a university payment method.
- An approved travel request is required for all university business exceeding 35 miles from the traveler’s primary duty post, including same day travel.
- Travel cash advances will be approved only when no other reasonable and practical means of financing the trip are available.
- A University Card (TravelCard or OneCard) may be used to pay for meals while an individual is in official travel status.
Updated Purchasing Methods Table
The updated purchasing methods table provides new policy guidance that clarifies allowable and restricted purchases on University Cards and out-of-pocket reimbursements.
- Capital purchases are not allowed on University Cards.
- Non-capital purchases are restricted to the ProCard.
- Office supplies purchases are restricted and should be made through the Arizona BuyWays Shop Catalog.
You can find the list of updated policies and revision logs on the Financial Policies website.
For questions, please contact Finance and Budget.