Department of Political Science

Political Science
1414 Social Sciences Building
267 19th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone: 612-624-4144
Fax: 612-626-7599
E-mail: polisci@umn.edu

Chair: Raymond D. Duvall

Expense Reimbursement

Reimbursement for expenses should not exceed $200. This may not always be possible, but that is the limit set by central administration. Please complete an Expense Reimbursement form located in the third bin on the accountant's office door. In order to reduce the amount of paper, please hold your requests for reimbursement until the amount is $25 or more . Remember to sign the form and return it to the accountant, along with your original receipts . This form is also used for reimbursing visiting scholars and prospective faculty and graduate students. For orders placed on-line, please provide the accountant with the packing slip accompanying shipment of the merchandise ordered. The University requires "reasonable proof of delivery of goods or services." If you lose a receipt, please provide a cancelled check or some other form of purchase verification. The accounting office reserves the right to refuse reimbursement of expenses which are not properly documented.

Disbursements usually processes payment within ten to fourteen days from the date of submission. If your expense exceeds $200, you can still be reimbursed, but it is preferable that you use the department purchasing card or request a purchase order . The department has a purchasing card which is available to faculty and staff for purchases that do not exceed $2000 and for vendors who will not accept purchase orders.

  • All computer hardware or software purchases should be processed through the Computer Network Supervisor. Before installing any software on your computer, consult the Computer Network Supervisor. It might not be compatible with your equipment and may cause a system "crash." Do not, under any circumstances, install computer hardware on University-owned systems.
  • For larger purchases such as furniture and equipment, ascertain whether or not the vendor will accept a purchase order. If the vendor accepts purchase orders, please provide the accountant with a detailed description of the item(s) or service to be ordered and the name, address, telephone and FAX number of the vendor. She/he will prepare a purchase order and fax or mail it to the vendor.
  • Any purchase that exceeds $10,000 must be "put-out" for bid.
  • Faculty can order merchandise and pay for subscriptions or memberships over the internet by providing the accountant with order information including name of vendor, website address or order form and a description of the merchandise or service to be ordered (e.g., for books, provide title and author). The accountant will place the order using the department purchasing card.
  • Visiting scholars and individuals visiting the campus for recruitment purposes should complete an Expense Reimbursement form for reimbursing his/her allowable expenses. All expenses $25 or greater require original receipts.