Program on Innovation and Financial Sustainability

Travel Management

By establishing a best-in-class travel management program, with improved technology for ease of booking, reimbursements, etc., Brown has the opportunity to enhance usability and traveler satisfaction, align with and support University policies and processes, and aid in risk management.

Such a program would help reduce travel costs through vendor discounts, rebates from using a card program (versus individual expense reports), reduced travel fares due to access to greater price options, and reduced “leakage” on unused tickets.

Charge

The Travel Management Work Group is charged with establishing a University travel management program and soliciting greater feedback from University stakeholders in order to:

  • update and communicate clear policies related to travel; and
  • encourage reduced levels of non research-related, grant-funded University travel, where beneficial, targeting a reduction in University business operations travel to 30-40% of pre-pandemic levels.

Moving forward will also require establishing an institutional owner and organizational home for travel policies and practices, as well as new, dedicated staffing resources to support implementation and operations, including communications and training.

Initial Planning Efforts

The work group is meeting in fall 2021 to develop an implementation plan.

Membership

Chair

  • John Luipold, Vice President for Real Estate and Strategic Initiatives

Members

  • TBD