San Francisco State University
Request for Independent Student Travel Funding Guidelines and Procedures

Students may be funded for independent travel through the Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) fund in accordance with the guidelines and procedures printed below. Student travel will be funded only if the following conditions are met and the request is approved in advance by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

1. The student must be currently enrolled at SFSU.
2. The student must be an active participant in the conference/meeting he/she wishes to attend, (i.e. a presenter of a paper or performer).
3. The student will not be funded if he/she is eligible to receive travel funds to attend the same conference/meeting through any IRA budget (e.g. Forensics, Model UN).
4. No more than $600 will be awarded per student each fiscal year. Funds must be expended in accordance with state travel regulations.

PROCEDURES.

1. The student prepares a written statement indicating the name of the conference or meeting, the location and date of the conference/meeting, and the amount of travel funds requested. He/she includes a brief statement indicating how participa­tion in this conference/meeting will enhance his/her educational goals and attaches evi­dence of his/her participation (such as a letter of invitation or acceptance from the conference/meeting, conference program).
2. The student forwards the request and supporting documents to the Chair of his/her major department. The Chair either endorses the request or denies it based on its adherence to the guidelines stated above and/or its educational merits. If endorsed, the student forwards the request and supporting documents to the Dean of the College.
3. The Dean endorses or denies the request based on its adherence to the guidelines stated above and/or its educational merits. If endorsed, the Dean’s office prepares travel request forms for the student and forwards the request and supporting documents to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
4. The VP for Academic Affairs either endorses or denies the request based on its adher­ence to the guidelines, educational merits, and budgetary restrictions. If approved, travel documents for the student will be processed so that a travel advance may be prepared for the student.
5. Following the trip, the student turns in receipts for airline tickets, parking, meal, etc. to the Office of the VP for Academic Affairs along with a brief written evaluation of the conference/meetings attended and the value of the experience.

For further information, contact Stephanie Schwartz, 338-1142.

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Vice President for Academic Affairs
Revised Fall, 2001