Tag Archives: Business Travel

Travel Restrictions from Chancellor’s Office to be Lifted as of 6/1/2021 – SJSU Issues Modification of Travel Restrictions

SJSU continues the SJSU ADAPT plan and our four-phase approach for the continuation of campus operations.  Currently the campus is in ‘Phase 3: Hybrid Campus’ with education in the form of a hybrid learning modalities.  Recently the CSU Chancellor’s Office announced that travel restrictions issued previously would be lifted as of 6/1/2021 and that campuses would continue to evaluate travel based upon guidance from Centers for Disease Control (CDC).   An additional resource is available at the  California Department of Public Health (CDPH).  CDC continues to recommend delaying travel until fully vaccinated and to continue to choose safer travel options.  Most systemwide meetings will continue to be held virtually.

  • Domestic Travel is discouraged for non-essential travel as travel continues to exacerbate the spread of this virus.  
  • International Travel is reviewed on a case by case basis based upon the program location or travel destination. 

CSU policy requires that we consider the health and safety of students and employees when making plans for traveling. In all cases, travelers must adhere to the latest travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health(CDPH).  Additionally, when returning to California, travelers are required to follow the guidelines of the CDPH and CDC as their recommendations are updated regularly.

As of June 1, 2021:

  • Domestic authorization to travel will be approved by the department approving official with consideration of the travel guidance from CDC and CDPH.  The google form “Adapted Travel Process for Presidential Approval” is no longer required for Domestic Travel.  Please remember SJSU has a list of States in the US where Travel is banned based on AB 1887.1
  • International travel requires approval by the President and cannot be sub delegated per CSU policy.  The established process for a Travel Authorization is conducted through FTS, and will automatically be routed to the President for approval.  Remember there is a list of countries currently considered high-risk, consult the CSURMA High Hazardous Country List and also review each country’s current COVID-19 risk.2  
  • RSCA-related travel is approved by Mohamed Abousalem, VP Research & Innovation.

Reminder:  Departments who have tracked and maintained their employees travel vouchers should utilize them before they expire.  For additional information see the FinanceConnect Blog Message dated 3/10/2020 COVID-19 Travel Suspension, COVID Travel FAQs or contact the Travel Coordinator for assistance.

1 Domestic Travel – Current banned states per AB1887,

2 International High Risk Countries

2021 Mileage Reimbursement Rate

The CSU adjusted its mileage reimbursement rates to reflect the new IRS rates. The mileage rate changes are as follows and apply to business travel occurring on or after January 1, 2021:

  • The standard mileage rate decreased from 57.5 cents per mile to 56 cents per mile.
  • Miles driven for moving purposes will be reimbursed at 16 cents per mile, decreased from 17 cents per mile.

The FTS Travel module reflects the standard mileage rate appropriate to the date(s) the mileage was incurred. If you have any questions, please contact FinanceConnect at ext. 4-1558 or financeconnect@sjsu.edu.

COVID-19 Travel Updates

Refer to the following links for announcement updates regarding COVID-19 related business travel.

Adapted Travel Process for Presidential Approval – Released date 8/14/20
Extended Suspension of Business Travel and New State Added to Restricted List – Released date 7/2/20
Travel Reimbursement for Business Travel Suspended by the COVID-19 Situation – Released date 4/1/20

Please forward this message to any staff or faculty you feel should be notified.

Adapted Travel Process for Presidential Approval

To Administrators and Analysts:

COVID-19 related travel restrictions from the President’s & Chancellor’s Office’s level now requires all essential travel be approved by the Office of the President.

The Payment Services team collaborated with the President’s Office and the Divisions to develop the process outlined below.  This process includes a new Google form to facilitate the Office of the President approval and complements the existing Travel Authorization approval process in FTS.

This adapted process is as follows:

  1. Traveler or Department Admin/Analyst submits the Travel Authorization in FTS.
  2. The authorization will go through the normal approval process in FTS.
  3. Traveler notifies the Department Admin/Analyst of approved Travel Authorization (if applicable).
  4. The Department Admin/Analyst enters the traveler’s trip information in their Division’s Travel Form – Adapted Process for Presidential Approval:
    Academic Affairs Travel Form
    Admin & Finance Travel Form
    Research and Innovation Travel Form
    Office of Diversity Travel Form
    University Advancement Travel Form
    Student Affairs Travel Form
    President’s Office Travel Form
    IT Travel Form
  5. The submitted form will notify the Division Head of the Travel Authorization who then notifies the President’s Office for an approval.
  6. The President’s Office approves or denies the travel to the Division Head.
  7. The Division Head will inform the department of the decision.

If you have any questions, please contact the Jasmine Velazquez in Payment Services at jasmine.velazquez@sjsu.edu or 408-924-1674.