- When submitting lodging expenses in Chrome River, always complete the “Allowable Total” field during the itemization so the correct policy rules are applied.
- A full itemized receipt/invoice from the hotel is always required for supporting lodging expenses regardless of how the reservation was made. Reservation confirmation notifications or cost estimates/summaries from third-party travel sites do not qualify as itemized receipts/invoices as they do not outline all of the charges.
- In most travel scenarios, the allowable expense is defined as 150% of the lodging per diem for the nightly rate (before taxes):
- Domestic per diem: US General Services Administration (GSA)
- Alaska/Hawaii per diem: US Department of Defense
- International per diem: US Department of State
- When traveling for a conference, the standard per diem limit may be exceeded when there is a documented conference negotiated rate. Be sure to check the Pre-Negotiated Conference Rate checkbox on the Chrome River lodging itemization. However, if the conference rooms are fully booked and/or unavailable, the standard 150% per diem rule applies even if the reservation is at the conference hotel.
- In the event that it is not possible to find a hotel within the per diem limit for the destination within a reasonable proximity, it is possible to request an exception to the per diem limit prior to making the reservation. Travelers can submit a Request for Lodging Exception to their supervisor outlining the circumstances and why the higher rate should be viewed as acceptable. If approved, the reservation can be made and the approved exception form attached to the Chrome River expense report along with the itemized receipt/invoice from the hotel.
- Use of vacation rental sites is permissible (but not necessarily preferred) if there is a cost savings over traditional lodging and other related travel expenses (e.g., car rental, ground transportation). However, the use of vacation rentals requires pre-approval via a Request for Lodging Exception. The 150% per diem rule still applies to the nightly cost. Additionally, any extra fees should be reviewed beforehand to ensure all of the extra costs are allowable within University policy.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Travel tip: Lodging
The Traveling on University Business policy addresses many aspects of travel as well as defining what is considered allowable expense. When arranging lodging, please be aware of the following:
ASR Staff Engagement September 19 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey is an ergonomics quiz. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences!
According to the last survey, most staff want to do a corn maze and take a hayride rather than one or the other (50%). When asked about your favorite places to go in the fall, apple orchards were mentioned most frequently followed by traveling up north to see the changing colors.
Finally, we asked your favorite fall foods or drinks. Many folks are ready for apple treats, such as apple cider, apple donuts, and apple pie. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
September 5 survey results
Would you rather go through a corn maze or on a hayride?
According to the last survey, most staff want to do a corn maze and take a hayride rather than one or the other (50%). When asked about your favorite places to go in the fall, apple orchards were mentioned most frequently followed by traveling up north to see the changing colors.
Finally, we asked your favorite fall foods or drinks. Many folks are ready for apple treats, such as apple cider, apple donuts, and apple pie. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
September 5 survey results
Would you rather go through a corn maze or on a hayride?
- Corn maze (15.6%)
- Hayride (21.9%)
- Why not both? (50%)
- Neither, please! (12.5%)
- Up North to see the changing colors!
- Minnesota Renaissance Festival
- Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake
- Vineyard tours
- My recliner with a blanket and book
- Any type of cider. Homemade, store bought, doesn't matter. Apple doesn't get enough love in the fall since the focus is always on pumpkin-flavored things!
- Chicken noodle matzo ball soup
- Ice coffee with pumpkin spice foam
- A hot toddy
- Maple cayenne latte
Tony's Tech Terms: Infrastructure as Code
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a way we automate the setup of the technology needed for websites and applications, rather than doing it manually.
It works like following a recipe: instead of configuring servers, networks, and databases by hand, we use code to create a blueprint for this setup. This approach makes the process more consistent, reduces errors, and allows us to quickly make changes or recover from issues. We use a tool called Ansible to help automate these steps, and the code can be stored and reused for future projects.
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Update from Stacey
The start of the fall term is one of my favorite times of the year, even though I sometimes feel breathless as meetings and emails stack up. I really appreciate the energy of seeing students back on campus and participating in events. Most of all, I enjoy seeing all of our hard work culminate into noticeable outcomes: students are starting classes and receiving aid, classrooms are ready for instructors and students, and colleagues are reaching out to ASR as a go-to resource. Thank you to ASR for all of your important work this time of year. Start of the term would not be successful without all of you!
An interview with Delaney Anderson of COIN
One of the great advantages of the DEI corner is the opportunity to showcase diverse UMN groups. The Circle of Indigenous Nations (COIN) is a student services and support office for American Indian/Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nation(s) students on the UMN Twin Cities campus. We had the opportunity to interview Delaney Anderson, American Indian Student Engagement Specialist with COIN, about the organization.
What should folks know about COIN?
COIN creates and maintains a welcoming on-campus space—with the best view might I add—where Native and global Indigenous students are able to build relations with each other through shared interests, cultural values/traditions, and historical experiences. As staff, we put a lot of care and effort into our work with students to make sure that they feel a sense of belonging on campus.
One of the shared values across Native cultures is community and the belief of looking out for the next seven generations in the way that previous generations have for us. This value is what drives my work—I’m a first-generation college student. When I was going through college, I had no idea what I was doing. I first found community in college through Native organizations on campus, and it was my community that helped me get through my undergraduate degree. Because I was fresh out of college when I found this job, I thought there was no better way to give back than to use my recent experience to help guide and hold space for Native students who might be navigating similar struggles as I did.
COIN helps University students with professional development, support, and advocacy during their academic careers. What kind of advocacy/support work is done most often?
We support students through academic, cultural, and social programs that help them connect to resources, navigate academia as a system, build skills they may need throughout their academic career, and feel a sense of belonging. The cultural programming is to help them continue to connect with their culture and learn more about their own identities as well as reach beyond their own cultural background to learn about the backgrounds of others. We also heavily emphasize the importance of upholding our cultural values throughout their academic journey—Native students have knowledge and ways of knowing that they can bring into conversations (if protocol should allow that to be shared).
How can people support COIN? Are there events, fundraisers, or any other opportunities to get involved?
People can support COIN by sharing the word that we exist as a resource! We’re happy to share more about what our specific programming looks like and find areas to collaborate, or discuss Native student needs. You can also volunteer at our annual welcome program called Native & Indigenous Kick Off, or you can volunteer at the American Indian Student Cultural Center’s annual Spring Powwow to show support to Native students directly. We have an Instagram (@umncoin) and a newsletter if you’re interested in keeping up with the work we’re doing, or to share opportunities/resources/events that you think would interest our network of students.
Can non-indigenous folks attend COIN events?
Non-indigenous folks can definitely attend COIN events. There are certain affinity groups, such as the Oceti Sakowin community gathering, the Queer & Two Spirit Indigenous group, and certain ceremonies or cultural practices that we heavily prioritize Native & Indigenous-identifying folks in order to maintain cultural protocol. We will explicitly state if Native & Indigenous attendance is prioritized!
What should folks know about COIN?
COIN creates and maintains a welcoming on-campus space—with the best view might I add—where Native and global Indigenous students are able to build relations with each other through shared interests, cultural values/traditions, and historical experiences. As staff, we put a lot of care and effort into our work with students to make sure that they feel a sense of belonging on campus.
One of the shared values across Native cultures is community and the belief of looking out for the next seven generations in the way that previous generations have for us. This value is what drives my work—I’m a first-generation college student. When I was going through college, I had no idea what I was doing. I first found community in college through Native organizations on campus, and it was my community that helped me get through my undergraduate degree. Because I was fresh out of college when I found this job, I thought there was no better way to give back than to use my recent experience to help guide and hold space for Native students who might be navigating similar struggles as I did.
COIN helps University students with professional development, support, and advocacy during their academic careers. What kind of advocacy/support work is done most often?
We support students through academic, cultural, and social programs that help them connect to resources, navigate academia as a system, build skills they may need throughout their academic career, and feel a sense of belonging. The cultural programming is to help them continue to connect with their culture and learn more about their own identities as well as reach beyond their own cultural background to learn about the backgrounds of others. We also heavily emphasize the importance of upholding our cultural values throughout their academic journey—Native students have knowledge and ways of knowing that they can bring into conversations (if protocol should allow that to be shared).
How can people support COIN? Are there events, fundraisers, or any other opportunities to get involved?
People can support COIN by sharing the word that we exist as a resource! We’re happy to share more about what our specific programming looks like and find areas to collaborate, or discuss Native student needs. You can also volunteer at our annual welcome program called Native & Indigenous Kick Off, or you can volunteer at the American Indian Student Cultural Center’s annual Spring Powwow to show support to Native students directly. We have an Instagram (@umncoin) and a newsletter if you’re interested in keeping up with the work we’re doing, or to share opportunities/resources/events that you think would interest our network of students.
Can non-indigenous folks attend COIN events?
Non-indigenous folks can definitely attend COIN events. There are certain affinity groups, such as the Oceti Sakowin community gathering, the Queer & Two Spirit Indigenous group, and certain ceremonies or cultural practices that we heavily prioritize Native & Indigenous-identifying folks in order to maintain cultural protocol. We will explicitly state if Native & Indigenous attendance is prioritized!
ADA Title II and the UMN webinar
On Thursday, September 26 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., members of the new Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA), in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) and UMN Libraries, are presenting a webinar about the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II rule changes and their implications for the University community. If you are interested in registering for the webinar or want to learn more, see Accessibility Ambassadors: ADA Title II and the UMN.
Amplified sound on Northrup Mall
On Wednesday, September 18, presidential inauguration activities will take place around the Northrop Mall area from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. These activities will include amplified sound that may be heard in the buildings. Normally, this would not be allowed as part of the Using and Leasing University Outdoor Space: Twin Cities policy, but an exception was granted. Please plan accordingly if you are planning to work in person on September 18.
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