FAQ for College of Law

Some of the common College of Law questions are outlined below:

Are actual receipts required for expense under $25?

The College of Law policy requires detailed, itemized receipts to be provided for all expenses over $25. This includes meals that may be charged to a hotel folio. If unable to provide a receipt, traveller may consider submitting per diem for all meals.

My travel dates are 6/5-6/10, what fiscal year’s funding will be used?

The FRA/PDA allowance period runs from June 1 through May 31.  Approved summer travel in June and July will be charged to the following academic year’s FRA allowance.

I will be driving to a conference in Boston, MA?  How do I calculate and submit for mileage?

Ground transportation is calculated from the traveler’s primary work location.  The mileage reimbursement for use of personal vehicle is the rate in effect at the time of travel.  Mileage reimbursement should be submitted on an expense report, and Google map directions showing the street address of your primary work location to the street address of your destination (hotel/conference) must be attached to your expense report.

I did not use all my FRA funds this year, will they carry over to the next fiscal year?

Any FRA funds that are unspent as of May 31, will not carry over to the following fiscal year.

I’m traveling outside the US.  What steps must I take before my travel dates?

Before traveling internationally, contact the Office of Global Safety and Support at (315) 443-1968 for guidance related to international safety matters. Employees are encouraged to register with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that the local U.S. Embassy can contact the traveler in an emergency

 I would like to book a flight with more leg room.  Do I need approval?

Upgrades such as seat selection or from economy to premium economy seating do not require pre-approval but should be outlined in the faculty travel authorization form and justified in the business purpose.  Upgrades to business class or first class must be approved within reason at the time the Faculty Travel Authorization Form is submitted outlining the reason for the request.  Reimbursement will be processed for coach airfare, unless an exception for business class airfare or first-class airfare is authorized by the COL Dean and included in the reimbursement request. See Updates Air Travel effective 1/1/25 for more information.

The conference sponsor is paying 100% of travel expenses.  Do I still need to submit a faculty travel authorization form for approval.

Yes, all faculty travel should be submitted to the Dean’s office even though expenses will not be paid from your FRA, PDA, or other University funding source.  This keeps the Dean abreast of all important faculty travel.

A COL student will be traveling with me to a conference.  Can I use my FRA/PDA allowance to cover the student meals. 

The FRA/PDA can only be used by COL faculty.  The student expenses will need to be covered by another funding source to be reimbursed, and estimated costs included in the faculty members original Faculty Travel Authorization Form.

How can I find out if a payment has been made?

Check with your Faculty Support to verify the report has been submitted. Once submitted, a report number will generate and the submitter can check the status of the report.