Travel Procedures and Policies

The CWU Travel Desk has created the below user guides to assist our CWU travelers.

Travel 101 Presentation - This is an overview of regulations and information about using MyCWU.

Travel Help Brochure - This is a quick guide for common questions.

Frequently Asked Questions Guide - This answers questions about MyCWU travel processes.

Quick Reference Guide - Travel Do's and Don'ts

Adding Comments to a Travel Authorization or Expense Report after Submitting

Non-Travel Employee Reimbursement User Guide - This guide provides instructions for submitting a request.

Below are the procedures for submitting travel transactions within MyCWU. It is travelers responsibility to understand the travel rules and regulations and when they should submit these within MyCWU.

CWUR 3-50-205 Travel Authorization Procedure - Guidance for submitting Travel Authorization

**Please remember if you will be requesting to travel internationally you need to review the policy CWUP 2-10-155 International Travel. Individual travelers are responsible for compliance with this travel policy. Units sponsoring CWU related travel are responsible for informing travelers of this travel policy and for facilitating compliance for individuals where appropriate. International travel refers to destinations outside the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia. Travel to US territories, including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the US Minor Outlying Islands, as well as journeys on the High Seas are also considered international travel.

CWUR 3-50-210 Cash Advance Procedure - Guidance for submitting Cash Advance and reconciling it

CWUR 3-50-215 Travel Expense Report Procedure - Guidance for submitting Expense Report

Please note that no airfare may be booked without an approved travel authorization in MyCWU.

3-50-220 Air Travel Procedure

Airfare Purchases

CWU Travel Agents:

• Travel Leaders | Valory Thomas

509.575.0292 - valoryt@hotmail.com

• Wright Travel | Sarah Wright

206.524.8524 - sarah@wrighttravel.com

Please have your MyCWU travel authorization (TA) number ready, as well as travel dates and to/from locations.

Contracted Airfare Rates by State

Frequent Flyer Miles

The below content provides information for the CWU traveler regarding meals and lodging reimbursements.

CWUR 3-50-240 Meal Reimbursement Procedure

More information on OFM Per Diem Rates 10/1/2022 to 9/30/2023

Rates Effective 10/1/22 - 9/30/23 GSA Standard RateGSA Specific Location Rates

For locations without specific rates, use the GSA.GOV standard rate for the state you are visiting.

Rates Effective 10/1/21 - 9/30/22 GSA Standard RateGSA Specific Location Rates

For locations without specific rates, use the GSA.GOV standard rate for the state you are visiting.

• Washington State Meal/Lodging Per Diem Rates - Current Rates - as of Oct 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023
• Continental U.S. Meal Per Diem Rates
• Understanding Same Day Meals
• Individual Meal Calculator - For Time Period Oct 2022 thru Sept 2023
• Individual Meal Calculator - For Time Period Oct 2021 thru Sept 2022

Below provides details for travelers regarding lodging. Please remember there are Washington state, USA, and International per diem rates. It is important to understand the "maximum lodging exception" and the "50 mile rule" that are referenced in the below procedure.

CWUR 3-50-235 Lodging Reimbursement Procedure

Travelers are encouraged to make their own arrangements, pay all travel costs, and then be reimbursed by the university. When making hotel reservations, an employee should always request the lowest available rate by requesting the state, government, or university rate. Prior to making a reservation, employees should review the list of allowable per diem rates for the destination city to be sure that the cost does not exceed these limitations.

CWUR 3-50-230 Hotel/Motel Reservations and Accommodations Procedure

3-50-225 Vehicle Rentals Procedure - You can find details about the process, the Enterprise Contract information, understand how/when a traveler should rent a vehicle, and the restrictions and considerations when renting a vehicle.

CWUR 3-50-255 Motor Pool Procedure - You can find details about how and when to reserve a vehicle through the CWU Motor Pool office.

CWUR 3-50-250 Mileage Log Procedure - This area is for departments with an assigned vehicle lease from the CWU Motor Pool.

City to City Distance Finder (Google Maps)

Mileage Calculator - July 1, 2022 Rate to Dec 31, 2022 Used by CWU employees that are stationed at the Ellensburg campus

Mileage Calculator - Jan. 1, 2023 and Forward Used by CWU employees that are stationed at the Ellensburg campus

Washington State Mileage Per Diem Rates as of January 1, 2023

Understanding Which Form of Mileage to Claim

Sample Mileage Log

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Contract Information

Van Rental DES Requirements

Vehicle Rental Frequently Asked Questions

Field trips are an essential part of many university courses and provide valuable learning experiences for our CWU students. However, they can present serious safety exposures and high liability exposures. The intent of liability limiting procedures is not to inhibit education but rather to help our CWU faculty/staff make decisions that are for the protection of their students and the University.

All faculty and staff who oversee University sanctioned field trips must adhere to the below procedures to mitigate potential risk to students, faculty, staff, and the University.

• Transportation must be secured through the CWU contracted transportation company, CWU Motor Pool or Enterprise Care Rental using the State of Washington contracted rental rates.
• If a student provides their own transportation to the field trip location, each student must complete and submit to the faculty or staff member the Assumption of Risk and Release Form prior to the trip. The faculty or staff member must then attach each completed release form when they create their Travel Authorization (TA) within MyCWU prior to the field trip. Other information that should be attached is a student rooster (including names, phone numbers, and emergency contact information).

These can include registration fees, interview candidate meals, personal telephone calls while traveling, and Checked baggage fees.

Please refer to the CWUR 3-50-290 Other Travel Expenses Procedure

• Corporate Card FAQ´s
• CWUR 3-50-295 Corporate Travel Charge Card

Contact Travel Desk traveldesk@cwu.edu

Bringing Someone to Campus - First Steps

Create a Temporary Travel Account for MyCWU

Local Hotel/Motel Authorization Form - Must be submitted to Travel at MS 7470

Local Hotel/Motel List

3-50-265 Foreign Travel Procedures

Individual travelers are responsible for compliance with this international travel policy CWUP 2-10-155. Units sponsoring Central Washington University Related Travel are responsible for informing travelers of this international travel policy and for facilitating compliance for individuals where appropriate.

Per SAAM Subsections 10.10.15 and 10.10.50.a, all faculty and staff participating in CWU Related Travel Abroad must register their travel, regardless of funding, by completing a travel authorization prior to departure. Related deadlines may be set by the university administration. All students participating in CWU Related Travel Abroad (CWURT) must register their travel with the OISP/SAEP according to its policies and procedures.

Travel Abroad, or International Travel (hereinafter used interchangeably), refers to destinations outside the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia. Travel to US territories, including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the US Minor Outlying Islands, as well as journeys on the High Seas are also considered international travel.

The Office of International Studies and Programs/Study Abroad and Exchange Programs (OISP/SAEP) is responsible for providing students general consultation on entry and exit requirements, including—but necessarily limited to—passports, visas and travel as a DACA or otherwise undocumented student.

All faculty, staff and students participating in CWU Related Travel Abroad (CWURT) must purchase international health and emergency insurance for the full duration of CWURT. Travelers will be enrolled in the university’s contracted provider and billed as appropriate to their category of CWURT.

• Foreign Per Diem Rates (includes Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Possessions)
• Currency Converter
• Study Abroad & Exchange Program (SAEP) Homepage
• Study Abroad & Exchange Program (SAEP) Contact List

In conformance with the state of Washington SAAM Manual Section 10.20.60, travel-related expenses may be paid by a non-university source for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a speech, conference, presentation, appearance, or trade mission that the employee has been authorized to attend in an official capacity on behalf of Central Washington University (CWU) or for job-related activities such as committee meetings where the position on the committee was secured based on the individual's employment with the university.

Please review CWUR 3-50-270 Travel Payment by Non-University Source

External Grant/Contract Sponsored Travel Information

For more information on Grants

Heather Harrell, Post Awards Manager

509.963.1988

heather.harrell@cwu.edu

County Finder

Interest Calculator

Quick Reference Guide - Travel Do´s and Don´ts

Policy for Use of State Funds for Entertainment, Public Relations, University Promotion and Recruitment

Miscellaneous Travel Information

Washington State Administrative & Accounting Manual (SAAM)

Adding Comments to a Travel Authorization or Expense Report after Submitting

Hotel/Motel Reservation Form - required for hotel stays booked in Kittitas County (interview candidates, guest speakers, etc.)

Lost Receipt Verification Form

Mileage Log Form

Online Travel Access Request Form (for interview candidates/guests)

Signature Sheet - Per Diem for Group Travel

Due to changes in the tax code, all moving expenses either reimbursements or payments on behalf of employees are taxable, effective for expenses incurred on or after January 1, 2018. Furthermore, moving expenses will no longer be deductible on an individual’s personal tax return. These changes may have significant tax consequences for employees receiving compensation for personal moving expenses. Please refer to the relocation web page.