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

Traveling on University Business

The travel reimbursement form (top bin) is pretty straight-forward and needs to be completed upon return from your trip or if you want to receive a cash advance. Original receipts are required for all expenses of $25 or more . Sign and return your completed form to the accountant within 30 days. Disbursements usually processes payment within ten to fourteen days from the date of submission.

The University has an agreement with GE Capital Mastercard for faculty interested in acquiring a credit card which can be used to charge travel expenses. The card can be used only for business-related expenses and the balance must be paid, in full, each month. The credit card statement is not a replacement for original receipts. You must complete and submit a travel worksheet for reimbursement. Finance charges or late fees are not reimbursable. Please contact Purchasing at 4-1696 for additional information. Application forms are available from and should be turned-in to the Accountant.

  • Cash advances are limited to $50/day plus $100 and should be requested only if the country you are visiting does not accept credit cards. Cash advances cannot exceed six (6) months or $9150 plus $100. You must complete a travel worksheet and turn it in within thirty (30) days from the time you are scheduled to return. If not, the cash advance amount will be deducted from your future earnings.
  • If you purchase airfare prior to your trip and want to be reimbursed, please complete an Expense Reimbursement form (third bin) rather than a travel worksheet. You cannot be reimbursed for first class travel under any circumstances . Business class may be reimbursed on flights lasting more than eight (8) hours.
  • The University has contracts with several travel agencies and they are as follows: AAA Minnesota/Iowa Travel Services, 952- 707-4740, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, 1-800-825-9190, Corporate Travel, 612-798-8902 and University Travel, 612-321-9101. You will need to supply them with a credit card number. This should be your GE Capital Mastercard or other personal credit card. If you are traveling on behalf of the department, specify "dept." on the travel reimbursement form. Traveling on department business requires prior written authorization from the department head.
  • Please go to http://purchasing.umn.edu/travelstuff/travelmap.html for helpful information relating to traveling on University business.
  • If you travel by automobile, the University will reimburse you for vehicle rental and fuel or reimburse you at the current published rate per mile. You cannot be reimbursed for both.
  • Domestic per diem rates can be found at http://purchasing.umn.edu.travelstuff/perdiemrates.html
  • Foreign per diem rates vary according to country and date of travel. There are two published amounts: (1) lodging and (2) meals and incidentals. The accountant has access to these rates so please contact her/him regarding amounts before completing your travel reimbursement request. If your receipts are in currency other than US dollars, be sure the amounts are legible to facilitate conversion. Remember, all expenses of $25 or over require original receipts.
  • The department makes travel awards available to faculty from the McMillan Travel Fund . You will be notified via email regarding how to apply for a travel grant. Requests are reviewed semi-annually by the members of the Merit Advisory Committee. Travel awards are not "grants". Faculty must complete and submit a Travel Expense Worksheet. The award represents the maximum amount you can be reimbursed for travel. Expenses which are in excess of the award will not be reimbursed and "leftover" funds are returned to the fund.