News & Announcements

Everyone at UT is Responsible for Credit Card Security
According to the US Department of Justice statistics at least 17% of Americans have been the victims of credit and debit card fraud with tens of billions of dollars in fraudulent charges. Everyone at the university has a part to play in combating credit card fraud.
Click here to learn more about how you can help defend the university from credit card fraud.

---

I Want My Travel Money Now Video Released (Posted 3/28/13) The Treasure's Office has produced an animated travel training video to point out common errors made with employee’s travel requests. Click here to view the video.

 

2012 Report of the Treasurer Posted (Posted 2/13/13)
The 2012 Report of the Treasurer is now available. Click here to read it.

 

Pay Federal Express with a P-Card (2/12/13)
In 2012, over 6,200 invoices were entered into IRIS for payments to Federal Express. Most of these invoices were less than $100. Many of these were paid with an invoice.

In 2010, employees were instructed to use departmental procurement cards for these purchases. Despite these instructions the number of invoices being processed has increased by 11 percent. Processing payments in this fashion is very inefficient and expensive.Click here to learn how paying FedEx with a P-Card can save you time and the university money.

Changes to payroll taxes (1/17/13)
Legislation passed by the United States Congress will affect taxes on 2013 pay received by University of Tennessee employees. For more information about the changes, click here to read a memo from Charles Peccolo, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.

Action required to retain lower health insurance premiums (1/17/13)
In an effort to reduce health care expenses for all employees enrolled in the State of Tennessee’s Group Insurance Program, including University of Tennessee employees, the State restructured their fees and offerings in 2011. To receive lower premiums, copays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, employees had to promise to complete various requirements in an effort to stay healthy and to slow or stop the progression of disease among those currently living with chronic illnesses. Click here to learn how to retain those lower premiums. 

 

Shipping on International Purchases (1/17/13)
On occasion, it is necessary to procure items from an international source, but international shipping can be tricky.  Failure to follow these best practices can cause unnecessary charges for both customs brokerage, storage of goods, and in some cases, the shipment will be returned to the sender.  Click here to learn the best way for receiving international shipments.

 

New library master agreements posted (11/26/12)
A new library master agreement has been posted for the EBSCO. Click here to see it and other library master agreements.

 

New master agreements posted (11/26/12)
A new library master agreement has been posted for the EBSCO. Click here to see it and other master agreements.

 

New standard template posted (10/30/12)
A new standard template has been posted for the MainStay Suites, Knoxville. Click here to see it and other available standard templates.

 

New advanced international travel class (Posted 10/5/2012)
This class covers advanced issues for the IRIS Travel system dealing with international travel. Topics to be covered include handling reimbursements for airfare, VISAs, medical requirements, and other exceptions to policy. Click here to learn more about this new course.

 

New CONUS rates effective 10/1/2012 (Posted 9/28/2012)
Every year on October 1, the US Government updates the travel per diems for the Continental US (CONUS). Click here to learn more.

 

New US DOT baggage rule disclosure requirements (8/6/12)
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is implementing new regulations regarding the disclosure of airline baggage allowances and identification of applicable fees. To assist our clients and travelers in understanding what charges they may be subject to, World Travel Service is introducing a short cut page to give travelers quick access to the most commonly booked airlines by World Travel Service worldwide. Click here to see World Travel Service's short cut page.

 

Revised equipment policy announced (7/20/12)
Treasurer Charles (Butch) Peccolo has announced that the fiscal policy regarding the threshold for Sensitive Minor Equipment purchases has been revised. The policy is effective July 1, 2012 and is now on the policy web site. To see what has changed, click here. 

 

Helpful Hints for university departments that accept debit/credit cards (5/30/12)

Departments that accept credit/debit cards are known as merchants and are assessed fees by the card networks, issuers and processors. These fees are a function of various external and internal factors, many of which are outside the control of the merchant. However, there are a few things that merchants can control that will result in the best possible interchange rates and lowest possible fees. Click here for some helpful hints.

 

New Visa debit card transaction integrity fee (5/30/12)

Effective 4/1/12 Visa began assessing a new fee to merchants that process certain Visa debit card transactions. The new fee, known as the transaction integrity fee (TIF), is in addition to the fees already being assessed to the merchants. To learn more about this fee, click here.

 

UT employees and vendor requests (5/21/12)
Vendor requests should not be submitted for an active UT employee. Click here to learn what to do.

 

New contract template posted (5/14/12)

A new standard template has been posted for the Nashville Sheraton Hotel. Click here to see it and other available standard templates.

 

Be on alert for fraudulent Bank of America emails! (5/11/12)

Please be aware of a fraudulent email being sent out that appears to be from
Bank of America.  Click here to see an example of the email.

 

New master agreements posted (4/30/12)

Master Agreements have been made with Executive Affiliates (Crowne Plaza Knoxville), Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park. Click here to see all Master Agreements available.

 

Changes made to travel policy (Posted 4/18/12)

Mr. Charles M. Peccolo, interim chief financial officer, announces several changes to university travel policy. These updates are intended to address compliance issues, clarify current practices and increase efficiencies in processing travel. Click here to learn about these changes.

 

Attention! International transaction fee for procurement cards (Posted 4/9/12)

As part of the new procurement card contract with Bank of America, there will
be a 1% International Transaction Fee assessed for any transaction with a
vendor based outside the United States. Click to learn more about this fee.

 

2011 Report of the Treasurer Posted (Posted 2/20/12)

The 2011 Report of the Treasurer is now available. Click here to read it.

 

 

 

Report of the Treasurer 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007