Procedure Title: Travel and Reimbursement of Expenses Policy
Procedure Number: Finance - XX
Effective Date: 9/2026
Revision Date: 9/2026
Division: Finance
Category: Travel
Butler Community College travel is conducted to support the institution’s mission through professional development, student engagement, collaboration, recruitment, and other College-related business activities. Travel expenditures represent an investment of institutional resources and must be planned, approved, and managed in a manner that demonstrates fiscal responsibility, accountability, and stewardship of college funds.
This Policy applies to all Butler Community College (“BCC” or the “College”) employees traveling on official college business using institutional funds, grant funds, any other college-controlled funding source or travel on behalf of the college.
Employees traveling on behalf of Butler Community College must ensure that all travel serves a legitimate business, educational, or professional development purpose and complies with applicable federal, state, local, grant, and College requirements. All travel is subject to college approval and must be conducted in accordance with established Travel and Reimbursement of Expenses Procedure, which governs authorization, expenditures, reimbursement, documentation, and related requirements. The College reserves the right to approve, deny, modify, or limit travel based on institutional priorities, operational needs, funding availability, and compliance considerations. Failure to comply with this Policy or Travel and Reimbursement of Expenses Procedure may result in denial of reimbursement, revocation of travel privileges, and/or disciplinary action.
Policy Title: Travel and Reimbursement of Expenses Procedure
Policy Number: Finance - XX
Effective Date: 9/2026
Revision Date: N/A
Division: Finance
Category: Travel
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Travel Authorization and Travel Arrangements
Transportation and Lodging
Meal Allowances and Reimbursements
Travel Advance
Purchasing Cards
This procedure establishes the requirements for authorization, management, payment, and reimbursement of travel expenses incurred while conducting official Butler Community College business. These guidelines are intended to ensure travel expenditures are appropriate, fiscally responsible, aligned with institutional priorities, and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and College policies.
This procedure applies to all Butler Community College (“BCC” or the “College”) employees traveling on official college business using institutional funds, grant funds, any other college-controlled funding source or travel on behalf of the college.
All travel conducted on behalf of the college, with the exception of routine intercampus travel, requires prior approval before any travel arrangements are made or expenses are incurred.
A Travel Authorization Form must be submitted and approved through the appropriate supervisory and budgetary approval process no later than five teen (15) business days prior to the start of travel.
The Travel Authorization Form shall include:
Travel requests will be evaluated based on:
Travel Arrangements
Travel shall be conducted using the most economical and advantageous mode of transportation and the most direct travel route.
Conference registrations, airfare purchases, hotel reservations, rental vehicles, and other travel-related commitments shall not be made until all required approvals have been obtained.
Travel arrangements shall be purchased with a purchasing card when possible. Employees without access to a college purchasing card should contact the Accounts Payable office prior to making travel arrangements. Accounts Payable can assist with purchasing conference registrations, airfare, lodging, and other approved travel-related expenses using a college purchasing card.
Employees who incur expenses prior to approval do so at their own risk and reimbursement may be denied.
Transportation:
Air Travel
Airline reservations should be made as early as practical to obtain the most economical fare.
Airfare may be purchased through:
Reimbursement will be limited to the most direct and economical route. For example, if an employee chooses to drive instead of fly and airfare is the less expensive option, reimbursement will be limited to the cost of airfare.
If an employee is required to cancel all or a portion of a transportation reservation, the employee must make reasonable efforts to obtain any available refunds, credits, or exchanges. Documentation of the cancellation and any resulting credits or charges must be submitted to the employee’s supervisor and Accounts Payable. Non-refundable transportation expenses purchased with personal funds may be eligible for reimbursement in accordance with college travel procedures.
College Fleet Vehicles
Employees are strongly encouraged to utilize College fleet vehicles for approved business travel whenever available. Use of College fleet vehicles promotes fiscal responsibility, reduces mileage reimbursement costs, and helps ensure compliance with institutional insurance and safety requirements.
Employees may use a college vehicle for travel under the following conditions:
Personal Vehicle Use
If a college fleet vehicle is requested but unavailable, the employee may be authorized to use a personal vehicle and seek reimbursement through the appropriate departmental budget. Employees who receive prior supervisory approval to use a personal vehicle for official College business may be reimbursed at the current College mileage reimbursement rate for the most direct route of travel. Reimbursable expenses may also include tolls, turnpike fees, and parking fees when supported by appropriate documentation. Any difference between the college’s reimbursement rate and the IRS standard mileage allowance may potentially be a deductible expense on the employee’s own income tax return.
Mileage reimbursement is subject to the following conditions:
Questions regarding mileage reimbursement eligibility should be directed to the employee's supervisor or the Accounts Payable office.
Intercampus and Site Travel
Employees who receive supervisory approval to travel to a college location other than their primary work location ("home site") may be eligible for mileage reimbursement at the current college mileage reimbursement rate.
Mileage reimbursement is subject to the following conditions:
Taxi, Rideshare, and Shuttle Transportation
Reasonable transportation expenses for taxis, rideshare services (e.g., Uber, Lyft), shuttles, and similar ground transportation services may be reimbursed when incurred for official College business. Reimbursement is limited to travel between airports, rail stations, bus terminals, hotels, conference venues, and other approved business destinations. Personal or recreational transportation expenses are not reimbursable.
Transportation Tips
Reasonable gratuities for taxi and rideshare services are reimbursable and should not exceed eighteen percent (18%) of the fare unless a higher amount is automatically charged by the service provider.
Rental Vehicles
Rental vehicles should only be used when other transportation options are unavailable, impractical, or when a rental vehicle is the most economical and advantageous option for conducting College business.
When a rental vehicle is necessary, employees should select the most economical vehicle that reasonably accommodates the number of travelers, luggage requirements, and business purpose of the trip. Upgrades, luxury vehicles, and optional services should be avoided unless justified by a documented business need. Personal, recreational, or non-business use of rental vehicles is prohibited and is not eligible for reimbursement.
Rental vehicle selection guidelines:
Lodging
Reasonable lodging expenses incurred during approved overnight travel should be purchased using a Butler Purchasing Card and must be supported by an itemized hotel receipt. Employees who do not have access to a Butler Purchasing Card should coordinate with the Accounts Payable office prior to reservation and travel. In limited circumstances, the use of a personal payment method may be authorized by Accounts Payable. Approved lodging expenses purchased with personal funds are eligible for reimbursement after completion of travel through the College's expense reimbursement process and must be supported by an itemized receipt.
Employees are expected to select lodging that is reasonable, cost-effective, and appropriate for the business purpose while demonstrating responsible stewardship of college resources. When attending a conference or event, use of the designated conference hotel is generally considered the most economical and advantageous option due to proximity, negotiated rates, and reduced transportation costs.
When conference lodging is unavailable or not practical, lodging costs should generally align with the applicable U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) lodging rates for the travel destination unless otherwise approved by the appropriate supervisor or budget authority.
The following lodging-related expenses and arrangements are not reimbursable and prohibited:
Meal Allowance and Reimbursements:
Butler Community College reimburses meal expenses incurred while conducting approved College business in accordance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, State of Kansas guidelines, and College policy.
According to IRS regulations, the value of meal reimbursements made to employees must be included as employee income unless the reimbursement qualifies under one of the IRS non-taxable exceptions described below.
Meal Reimbursement Processing
Non-Taxable Meal Reimbursements
Meal reimbursements qualify as non-taxable only when they meet one of the following IRS exceptions.
Overnight Business Travel (Meal Allowance)
Employees traveling on approved College business that requires an overnight stay are eligible for meal reimbursement based on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) rate established for the travel destination. The applicable GSA rate will be used for both out-of-state travel and approved overnight travel within the State of Kansas.
For IRS purposes:
Meal reimbursement will be provided as a meal allowance per the GSA per diem meal rate and is intended to cover meals, taxes, and gratuities incurred during travel. Employees are not required to submit meal receipts when claiming reimbursement at or below the applicable GSA M&IE rate.
On the first and last day of travel, reimbursement is limited to seventy-five percent (75%) of the applicable daily GSA M&IE rate. Meals provided as part of a conference registration, event, meeting, or other College-sponsored activity must be deducted from the meal allowance.
Employees are expected to exercise prudent judgment when using the meal allowance.
GSA M&IE rate may be exceeded for travel with prior approval from the employee's direct Vice President and Accounts Payable.
Business Meals and Hospitality
Meal reimbursement may also qualify as non-taxable under the following IRS exceptions.
Official Conference or Professional Meetings
Meals are:
Meals for the Convenience of the College
Meals:
Business Entertainment
Meals:
De Minimis Meals
Occasional employer-provided meals or refreshments whose value is so small that accounting for them is administratively impractical, including:
Occasional employee parties and picnics are also considered de minimis.
Overtime Meals
Meals provided when:
Itemized receipts are required for reimbursement of business meals and hospitality expenses.
When conducting official College business, reasonable meal expenses for college employees, Board members, and official guests are reimbursable. Reimbursement may include gratuities of up to eighteen percent (18%) of the meal cost. An exception may be made when the dining establishment requires a mandatory gratuity that exceeds eighteen percent (18%).
For meals attended by guests, the names of attendees and the business purpose must accompany the reimbursement request.
Meal reimbursement for one-day travel should not exceed the combined GSA meal allowance for the applicable location. Exceptions for approved high-cost locations require approval from the employee's direct Vice President and the Accounts Payable Office.
Taxable Meal Reimbursements
Meal reimbursements that do not qualify under one of the IRS non-taxable exceptions described above are considered taxable income to the employee. Itemized receipts are required for reimbursement of business meals and hospitality expenses.
Meal allowances paid for approved one-day travel that does not require an overnight stay are considered taxable income under IRS regulations. The entire meal allowance paid to the employee is subject to applicable federal, state, local, and payroll tax withholding and will be processed through the Human Resources Office and applicable payroll taxes will be withheld.
Meals will not be reimbursed solely because an employee traveled to another Butler location or outreach site as a normal function of their position unless prior approval has been obtained from the employee’s direct Vice President and Accounts Payable.
Non-Reimbursable Expenses
The following expenses are not reimbursable:
Travel Advance
Employees may request a travel advance for approved recruiting travel, student travel, and other authorized College business travel. Travel advances are intended to reduce the need for employees to use personal funds while conducting official College business.
Properly completed and approved Travel Authorization Form will be processed for payment prior to the scheduled travel dates.
Travel advances will be issued by Accounts Payable no earlier than three (3) business days prior to the scheduled departure by direct deposit.
Travel Advances may include:
The Travel Advance Request Form must include the following information:
Meal Allowance Advance
Employees traveling on approved College business may request a travel advance for meal allowance expenses. Travel advances may be issued by Accounts Payable no earlier than three (3) business days prior to the scheduled departure date and are limited to eighty percent (80%) of the meal allowance per the estimated GSA Meals (M&IE) per diem.
Following travel, a completed expense report must be submitted within ten (10) business days to reconcile the travel advance and process any additional reimbursement due. Any unused advance may be subject to repayment in accordance with college procedures.
Employees who do not request a travel advance must also submit a completed Expense Report within ten (10) business days following their return from travel to receive reimbursement of the applicable GSA Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) per diem.
Student Meal Advance
Employees leading approved student travel, including instructors and coaches, may request a travel advance to provide meal funds to participating students. When meal funds are distributed directly to students, the employee must maintain a roster identifying each student who received funds, and each student must sign the roster acknowledging receipt of the meal funds. The signed roster shall be submitted with the Expense Report in lieu of individual meal receipts.
Documentation, Reimbursement, or repayment of Travel Advances
All requests for reimbursement must be supported by itemized receipts and submitted through the College's approved Expense Report process. Receipts should clearly identify the date, vendor, items purchased, and amount paid.
Requests for reimbursement must include:
Limited exceptions may be permitted for incidental expenses where receipts are not customarily provided, such as parking meters, baggage handling, or similar minor expenses. Employees may be required to provide a written explanation for expenses submitted without supporting documentation.
Travel expenses should be submitted within ten (10) business days following completion of travel. Expenses must be submitted within the same fiscal year in which they were incurred unless otherwise approved.
Failure to provide required documentation may result in denial of reimbursement or payroll deduction.
Purchasing Cards for Travel
Employees who frequently travel on behalf of the College or travel with student groups may be eligible for a college purchasing card to facilitate the payment of approved travel-related expenses, including lodging, registration fees, transportation, and other authorized business expenses.
Requests for a purchasing card must be submitted through the College's purchasing card application and approval process. Approval will be based on business need, frequency of travel, operational responsibilities, and other factors deemed appropriate by the College.
All travel-related purchasing card transactions must comply with college purchasing card policies, travel procedures, and applicable documentation requirements.
When to Use the Purchasing Card for Meals
When Not to Use the Purchasing Card for Meals
Exceptions to this procedure must be approved by the appropriate Vice President or designee prior to travel whenever possible.
Failure to comply with this procedure may result in denial of reimbursement, cancellation of travel, payroll deduction, or other administrative action.
Travel Policy HR-XXX
Procedure Title: Payment Card Industry/Merchant Card Policy
Procedure Number: Finance - XX
Effective Date: 7/2015
Revision Date: 10/2026
Division: Finance
Category: Administrative
The purpose of this policy is to establish Butler Community College’s commitment to protecting payment card information and maintaining compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This policy provides the framework for safeguarding cardholder data, reducing payment card security risks, and ensuring appropriate controls and procedures are maintained throughout the College.
This Policy applies to all Butler Community College (“BCC” or the “College”) employees, contractors, systems, and processes that accept, process, transmit, or store payment card information on behalf of the College.
The purpose of this policy is to establish Butler Community College’s commitment to protecting payment card information and maintaining compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This policy provides the framework for safeguarding cardholder data, reducing payment card security risks, and ensuring appropriate controls and procedures are maintained throughout the College. Policy: Butler Community College (“Butler”) will adhere to the latest Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version. Compliance with this standard will be maintained through the institution’s annual assessment and efforts to remediate any identified areas of improvement. The Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the President, or their designee, to develop and establish appropriate standards and procedures to implement and enforce this policy across all Butler departments that handle, process, or store payment or merchant card data. All personnel, including Butler employees and external contractors, with access to cardholder data or systems that process payment card information are required to comply with the procedures listed in the document “Butler Community College – Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance Procedures.”
Policy Title: Payment Card Industry Merchant Card Procedure
Policy Number: Finance - XX
Effective Date: 7/2015
Revision Date: 10/2026
Division: Finance
Category: Administrative
The purpose of this Procedure is to establish the minimum requirements for securely accepting, processing, transmitting, storing, and disposing of payment card information at Butler Community College. These procedures are designed to protect cardholder data, reduce the risk of fraud or unauthorized access, and provide consistent practices for maintaining compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) across the College.
This Procedure applies to all Butler Community College (“BCC” or the “College”) employees, contractors, systems, and processes that accept, process, transmit, or store payment card information on behalf of the College.
These standards are the minimum-security requirements for handling cardholder data and processing credit/debit card transactions at Butler Community College.
Departments can make these standards more stringent based on their processes; however, these minimum standards as stated in this document, cannot be relaxed by individual departments. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the implementation of these standards, please contact your department PCI representative or a member of the PCI Team.
Controlling Access:
These controls are for environments containing and/or processing cardholder data.
Cardholder data is restricted to authorized individuals who a) have been trained within the past year to handle cardholder data by an authorized Butler representative and b) have a business-related need to know. Any personnel changes for authorized staff members who no longer have a business justification for access to cardholder data should be communicated to Information Services, to have excess physical and technical access revoked.
Unauthorized individuals, anyone not meeting both requirements stated above, are only permitted within an area that handles cardholder data when one of the two following conditions are met:
All systems processing or storing cardholder data must utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA) or single sign-on for any remote access or administrative functions. Access to cardholder data and systems must be reviewed quarterly. When an employee undergoes a role change or is terminated, all access must be revoked per Information Services’ policy.
Protecting Cardholder Data
Retention of cardholder data is restricted to 1 business day, unless the information is being stored for investigative purposes sanctioned by the PCI Team. If cardholder data is stored, the date of creation as well as a PCI marking 'PCI' must be annotated on the media used to store the cardholder data.
Securing electronic terminals which process cardholder consists of the following:
Securing mobile devices which process cardholder data consists of the following:
Securing physical cardholder data consists of the following:
PCI-DSS equipment shall be Inventoried regularly to help ensure that compliant equipment is being utilized and accounted for.
Destruction of cardholder data consists of the following:
Electronic
Physical
Processing Transactions
If the transaction is in-person, the staff member conducting the transaction will
If the transaction is being conducted over the phone, the staff member conducting the transaction will
If the terminal uses Address Verification System (AVS):
If the terminal does not use AVS:
At no point will any staff member accept and/or process a payment transmitted via an unapproved channel. Prohibited channels include but are not limited to:
Suspicion of Fraud
If this transaction is in-person, the staff member conducting the transaction will
Auditing
The PCI Team will audit each area that handles cardholder data at least once per year. If an area is failing to meet any of the standards stated above, the PCI team will document and work with the respective department to correct any deficiencies.
PCI Compliance Training
All personnel with access to cardholder data or PCI systems must receive PCI compliance training:
Training must cover topics including data protection, fraud awareness, incident reporting, and this policy.