{"id":391,"date":"2022-08-30T20:58:24","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T20:58:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/?page_id=391"},"modified":"2025-12-08T22:38:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T22:38:27","slug":"travel-optimization-updates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/travel-optimization-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Optimization Recommendations and Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Travel Optimization Recommendations &amp; Updates<\/h3>\n<p>*Each post contains tags at the bottom. Clicking on these tags will show all other posts with the same tag, allowing you to easily search and view your preferred content.<\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-post -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-post-container\">\n      <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2024\/03\/25\/february-2024-travel-optimization-update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">February 2024 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/kjf\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">kjf<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">March 25, 2024<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      February was our busiest travel month ever \u2013 988 new travel cases were opened! This is up from February 2023 by 260 cases!! The Travel Team closed 857 cases in the month of February. We are excited to announce that we have filled our Travel Specialist vacancy and look forward to Liza Tutnauer starting April 1, 2024. There is currently one staff vacancy: Vacancies: Assistant Manager, Academic Team: (1) Please review the following updates and reminders: Travel Training As a&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2024\/02\/14\/january-2024-travel-optimization-update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">January 2024 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/kjf\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">kjf<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">February 14, 2024<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      Happy New Year!!! The year started *BIG* with 247 more travel cases opened compared to January 2023. There are currently two staff vacancies: Vacancies: Travel Specialists (1) Assistant Manager, Academic Team: (1) Please review the following updates and reminders: Travel Training As a reminder Travel Policy training needs to be completed each fiscal year. Over 320 individuals have completed all modules to-date. The training calendar for in-person Travel Booking training is available on the website through May 2024. Travel Resources&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2023\/12\/12\/november-2023-travel-optimization-update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">November 2023 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/kjf\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">kjf<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">December 12, 2023<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      With November closed, and the semester and calendar year wrapping up, fall 2023 has been a record-breaking travel season with over 860 more travel cases opened from this time last year! The Reimbursement Processing Support department will be closed for Winter Break from Monday, December 25th \u2013 January 1st, 2024. There are currently two staff vacancies: Vacancies: Travel Specialists (1) Assistant Manager, Academic Team: (1) Please review the following updates and reminders: Travel Training As a reminder Travel Policy training&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2023\/11\/07\/october-2023-travel-optimization-update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">October 2023 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/kjf\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">kjf<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">November 07, 2023<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      As October closes, fall 2023 has been a record-breaking travel season with 647 more travel cases opened compared to this time last year! The RPSU Travel Specialists and Coordinators continue to whittle away at the remaining FY2023 travel cases. There are less than 10 FY23 cases left as of November 1st. Please help the Reimbursement Processing Support (RPS) staff continues welcome our newest Travel Specialist, Lawson Nelson! New Hires: Travel Specialists: Lawson Nelson Vacancies: Travel Specialists (1) Assistant Manager, Academic&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2023\/10\/05\/september-2023-travel-optimization-update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">September 2023 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/ram26\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Becky<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">October 05, 2023<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      As September 2023 closes, the fall semester is well underway and we are seeing record travel case submissions \u2013 September had (898) new travel cases opened, the busiest month yet! The RPSU Travel Specialists and Coordinators worked hard over the summer to close the fiscal year strong, and we are happy to report only (55) travel cases remaining from FY2023! The Reimbursement Processing Support (RPS) unit has seen several staffing changes since our last update, and we are happy to&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2022\/12\/13\/october-2022-travel-optimization-update-2\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">December 2022 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/ceb258\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Courtney<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">December 13, 2022<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      December 2022 Travel Optimization Update As the fall semester draws to a close, the number of new travel support cases opened by the university community has slowed. This month marks the first where the RPSU caseload has decreased and cases closed outpaced the cases opened. We are looking ahead to the start of 2023 which will bring more work on metrics including some trending information. We expect the new Justification for Exception to Policy Request form to be integrated into&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2022\/11\/29\/october-2022-travel-optimization-update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">October 2022 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/ceb258\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Courtney<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">November 29, 2022<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      October 2022\u00a0Travel Optimization\u00a0Update As anticipated, September saw an increase in travel requests as activity picked up\u2014for both booking and reimbursement services. It was our busiest month yet with 827 new service requests! The following are key updates and reminders for the month: Cases requiring a rework delay the processing of ALL cases. Please review the\u00a0Top 3 Contributors to Reimbursement Rework article\u00a0to help prevent: Incomplete information and documentation Inaccurate accounting information Policy violations Travel training\u00a0continues. October\u2019s training schedule\u00a0is available online. A&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2022\/08\/22\/august-2022-travel-optimization-update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">August, 2022 Travel Optimization Update<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/ceb258\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Courtney<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">August 22, 2022<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      August, 2022 Travel Optimization Update The summer has been busy with work to improve travel processes. The first change you may notice is that we are now the Reimbursement Processing Support Unit (RPS). As travel booking becomes more wide-spread, this new name reflects our tightened focus. We have added information about our travel optimization efforts. Some of the highlights to our work are noted below. The full status is available in the latest Travel Optimization Recommendations Update Details report. Receipts&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2022\/06\/29\/july-1-2022-changes-to-travel-reimbursements\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">July 1, 2022 Changes to Travel Reimbursements<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/ceb258\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Courtney<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">June 29, 2022<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      Good afternoon! As a result of the Travel Optimization Taskforce\u2019s work, as well as approval from the University Advisory Board, a few changes to the travel reimbursement process will take place effective July 1, 2022: M&amp;IE Reimbursements Reimbursements will be made at 100% of the maximum allowable reimbursement rate as defined by the State of Arizona (less any meals that were provided). Receipts are no longer required and should not be submitted. This change applies to employees and students. Development&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n    <article class=\"post\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n      <h2 class=\"entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/2022\/06\/28\/6-28-2022update\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Travel Optimization Taskforce Report 6.28.2022<\/a>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"entry-meta\">\n                <span>\n          Posted by <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/author\/semp\/\" style=\"font-weight: 600;\">semp<\/a> on \n        <\/span>\n        <time class=\"entry-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\" datetime=\"\">June 28, 2022<\/time>\n                      <\/p>\n\n    <\/header>\n    <div style=\"display: block;\">\n      June 28, 2022 Dear Lumberjacks, I am pleased to share the results of our\u00a0Travel Optimization Taskforce\u2019s\u00a0work.\u00a0I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all who served as part of this group for the investment of their time and energy to develop this comprehensive report, which includes many thoughtful considerations for how we can improve and optimize our travel processes and policies.\u00a0I encourage all of you to\u00a0download and read the full report\u00a0and review the\u00a0slides presented to the University Advisory Board.&hellip;\n    <\/div>\n  <\/article>\n\n  <\/div>\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\">\n<pre><a class=\"shortcode-button\" href=\"https:\/\/servicenow.nau.edu\/hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Employee Service Center<\/a>\r\n<a class=\"shortcode-button\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2025\/12\/RPS.Staff_Dept.Assignments_12.8.2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find Your RPS Contact<\/a>\r\n<\/pre>\n<hr \/>\n<!-- shortcode-block -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-block\">\n      <div class=\"block-header\">\n        <h3>Document Archive<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"block-body\">\n      <div><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2022\/08\/Travel-Optimization-Recommendations-for-dist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Travel Optimization Recommendations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2022\/09\/Travel-Optimization-Update-Details-Aug-22.pdf\">Travel Optimization Update<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/225\/2022\/08\/TOTF-UAB-June-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Travel Optimization UAB Presentation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Resources<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nau.edu\/university-policy-library\/comptroller-policies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comptroller Policies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nau.edu\/university-policy-library\/travel-policies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travel Policies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/servicenow.nau.edu\/hr?id=kb_category&amp;kb_category=79377447dbd60850ce16378239961943\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travel Knowledge Base<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<!-- shortcode-block -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-block\">\n      <div class=\"block-header\">\n        <h3>Contact Us<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"block-body\">\n      <div><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/servicenow.nau.edu\/hr?id=sc_cat_item&amp;sys_id=510415361bd2d2103ce75357624bcb98&amp;sysparm_category=91e5c690db6f44105e69d2e3ca9619e3&amp;catalog_id=-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESC General Travel Inquiry\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<pre><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Travel Optimization Recommendations &amp; Updates *Each post contains tags at the bottom. Clicking on these tags will show all other posts with the same tag, allowing you to easily search and view your preferred content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":288,"featured_media":488,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-391","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/288"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=391"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1865,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/391\/revisions\/1865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/rpsu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}