University of Oregon

Policy Statement

9.000 Budget Procedures

Title: University of Oregon Expenditure Guidelines

Purpose: The University of Oregon, as part of the Oregon University System, operates in a decentralized environment. To increase operational efficiency and effectiveness a system of controls and procedures relying on delegated spending authority and approval of transactions at the Responsibility Unit level has been put into place.

In this environment, Unit Administrators are responsible for ensuring the appropriate use of university funds within the constraints of limited resources available to them. Unit Administrators are also responsible for ensuring that all fiduciary responsibilities related to those funds are met. This policy is intended to promote proper stewardship of university funds by providing a broad statement addressing the appropriate and legal uses of University of Oregon funds in support of the university’s mission. All Unit Administrators and individuals who initiate, review, approve, process, or record financial transactions on behalf of the university should be familiar with this policy.

Policy: University of Oregon funds are defined as all funds available to the university received from internal and external sources, including funds held at the University of Oregon Foundation and excluding agency funds. When incurring expenses to be paid from University of Oregon Foundation funds, the University of Oregon Foundation is responsible for ensuring that expenditures of foundation funds do not violate donor intent. University employees must ensure that expenditures are in alignment with the university’s priorities, mission, and the guidelines set forth in this policy.

University of Oregon funds may be used for business-related expenses incurred in furtherance of the university’s mission. University of Oregon funds may not be used for extreme, excessive, or illegal expenses, for expenses that are not related to carrying out an individual’s job responsibilities, or for expenses reimbursed from other sources. Expenditures must be consistent with applicable policies unless specifically exempted by an external agency, grantee, or donor. Expenditures not otherwise disallowed, may be made within the scope of reasonable financial management, and may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by individuals with appropriate approval authority.

Tax Reporting

Certain expenditures paid by the university on behalf of employees, student employees or independent contractors may be subject to tax reporting depending on the circumstances. Examples include but are not limited to providing any of the following (or allowances for any of the following):

Airline club
Automobile
Auto related expenses including insurance payments
Clothing
Club dues
Gifts
Housing
Memberships
Moving or relocation costs
Performance or achievement awards

Authority

The UO Vice President for Administration and Senior Vice President & Provost or designees shall have oversight for this policy. All Unit Administrators and individuals who review and approve financial transactions on behalf of the university are responsible for ensuring that expenditures are consistent with this policy.

References

UO OAR 571-040-0240 Designation of Purchasing Agents and Contract Officers

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_500/OAR_571/571_040.html

Unit Administrator Expenditure Guide – A learning guide developed to assist Unit Administrators in exercising stewardship and using resources effectively. http://baowww.uoregon.edu/eGuide/Expenditure/expguide.htm

BAO ExpenditureQuick Reference– An information base with illustrative examples designed to assist in evaluating expenditures on a case-by-case basis. (http://baowww.uoregon.edu/expguide/expguide.asp)

IRS Section 132 Computation of Taxable Income outlines the types of payments to employees that may be excluded from gross income for certain fringe benefits.

Procedures and Requirements:

1. Authorization

Unit Administrator must designate staff authorized to enter into purchasing agreements for the University. Purchasing and Contracting Services (PCS) in the Business Affairs Office is responsible for maintaining Departmental Signature Authorization Forms for each department within the University. These forms are used by the Dean, Director, or Department Head to indicate that signature authority has been delegated to specific individuals within their Responsibility Unit. It is crucial to inform PCS, throughout the year, when an individual once authorized on a Departmental Signature Authorization Form is no longer authorized. PCS updates these forms on an annual basis.

2. Elements of Approval

There are three aspects to expenditure approval, a programmatic, a budgetary and a compliance aspect. The following describes each aspect and summarized relevant institutional roles and responsibilities.

a) Programmatic approval

Programmatic approval indicates that the proposed expenditure has a related business purpose and meets objectives related to department, college, school, and university mission. Programmatic approval is primarily the responsibility of Unit Administrators and their designee(s). Institutional executive management and appropriate central offices may provide guidance.

b)         Budgetary approval

Budgetary approval indicates that the proposed expenditure is a priority, and that sufficient funds are available to incur the expense.   Budgetary approval is primarily the responsibility of Unit Administrators and their designee(s). Institutional executive management and appropriate central offices may provide guidance.

c)         Compliance approval

Compliance approval indicates that the proposed expenditure has met all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedural requirements; and that the expense is incurred using good business practices. Compliance approval is primarily the responsibility of Unit Administrators and their designee(s). Institutional executive management and appropriate central offices may provide guidance. In addition, central offices are responsible for reviewing selected departmental transactions for compliance.

See the Unit Administrator Expenditure Guide – Chapter 4 Key Processes for a discussion of the decision making process used in exercising stewardship and effectively using resources. http://baowww.uoregon.edu/eGuide/Expenditure/expguide.htm

3. Documentation

Documentation for the purchase of goods and services must provide support for the business purpose of the expenditure. The business purpose must be clearly and explicitly stated unless otherwise evident.

See the Unit Administrator Expenditure Guide – Chapter 5 Accountability for a discussion of the appropriate expenditure documentation. http://baowww.uoregon.edu/eGuide/Expenditure/expguide.htm

Expenditure Approvals Roles & Responsibilities Summary

Responsible Party	Responsibility
Employees	Supply business purpose and documentation to support expenditure in a timely manner. Seek guidance from Responsibility Unit regarding the appropriateness of expenditures from a programmatic, budgetary and compliance standpoint when appropriate Seek prior approval from Responsibility Unit or Central Office when appropriate.
Responsibility Unit	Ensure expenditure is appropriate from programmatic, budgetary and compliance standpoint regardless of the source of funds. Seek guidance and training from central offices regarding the appropriateness of expenditures from a programmatic, budgetary and compliance standpoint when appropriate. Maintain documentation to support business purpose.
Central Offices (Business Affairs, Office of Resource Management and Office of Research Services)	Establish policy & monitoring performance. Provide guidance and training to Unit Administrators and departmental staff regarding the appropriateness of expenditures from a programmatic, budgetary and compliance standpoint regardless of the source of funds. Review selected departmental transactions for compliance.

Definitions

1. Agency Funds: Used to account for funds belonging to persons or external organizations while the funds are in the custody of the University. The University acts as the fiscal agent for the owner of the funds.

2. Business Expense: Charges for goods or services, whether paid, committed, or accrued, that foster or support the mission of the university. These charges may include but are not limited to travel to professional conferences, purchase of office equipment, expenses related to searches, donor development, debt service payments, and capital outlays.

3. Delegated Authority: An individual has delegated authority when the delegation of authority has been validated in writing. To properly delegate authority for procurement activities, up-to-date Departmental Signature Authorization Forms must be filed with Purchasing and Contracting Services.

4. Fiduciary Responsibility: The ethical and/or legal obligation of a fiduciary to act in the capacity of a “caretaker” of another’s rights, assets and/or well being with discretion and intelligence as well as honesty, integrity, and impartiality.

5. Unit Administrators: Unit Administrators are appointed by the president. They include: Vice Presidents; Provost; Vice Provosts; Deans; Directors; Division and Department heads; as well as other managers authorized to determine and assign duties to University employees.

6. University of Oregon Funds: All funds available to the university for use received from internal or external sources, including funds held at the University of Oregon Foundation funds and excluding agency funds.

Reviewed and Recommended by: President’s Staff November 21, 2002

Issued by: The UO Vice President for Administration and Senior Vice President & Provost