Faculty

Whether you're still exploring or actively pursuing an international partnership, be it a new request or intended to expand an existing activity to a broader, institutional framework, please see the International Partnership Criteria & Routing Sheet for a detailed breakdown of considerations to note.

Please note that the routing sheet is an electronic form routed via Adobe e-sign to the appropriate signatories. When you are ready to complete the form, please notify us so that we can initiate the routing procedure. In addition, this routing sheet is not intended to support external requests with no immediate faculty support. Such requests should be sent to OGE for further vetting.

For more detailed information on the College's international travel policy for faculty and staff, travel insurance, and trip preparation guidelines, please visit the Office of Risk Management under the Office of the Controller.

Please note:

• The interpretation and administration of this policy shall be the responsibility of the Office of Risk Management and the Office of the Provost and Dean of the College.
• This policy does not apply to personal travel and is in addition to the travel and expense reimbursement policy.
• This policy does not cover a period of unpaid leave.

The College's international travel policy covers international travel that is defined as travel:

• That is either fully or partially financially supported by the College (regardless of original funding source);
• When an individual is serving as a representative of the College; and
• That is required to fulfill degree requirements.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Traveling on College business when the activity is supported by College funds including money derived from the College’s operating budget, grants, gifts, etc.
• Traveling to promote the College’s mission and scholarly profile (e.g. serving as a speaker at international conference)

Travel to Extreme Risk Locations (Level 3 or 4)

The College will not fund, award, credit for, or otherwise sponsor or support any international travel in any country or location within a country for which:

• The U.S. State Department (DOS) has issued travel advisories of level 3 or 4;
• The Office of Foreign Assets and Control (OFAC) has imposed economic or trade sanctions;
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel health notices warning level 3 (avoid non-essential travel)
• International travel to a city and country prohibited by the College’s insurance company  

However, if you require an exception to travel to a high risk (level 3 or level 4) country, you must complete and submit the International Travel Approval Form. Keep in mind that the travel approval form is an electronic document that must be routed to the appropriate signees -- including your department chair. In addition to this form, the Office of Risk Management may require additional information and forms as part of the review process. 

For information about the travel form or the e-routing process, please contact OGE.

For information about the international travel policy for faculty/staff, please contact the Office of the Controller (ext. 3016), or email Elisha Rodriguez at erodriguez@tc.edu.

Expense Reimbursement Policy

If you are a TC faculty member or administrator traveling on college-related business, please see the travel and expense reimbursement policy for more information. Per Accounts Payable, please note the following deadlines regarding expense reimbursements:

• Domestic Business Expense reimbursement requests must be submitted to the Accounts Payable Department for processing within 90 days after the completion of the event or travel to receive a non-taxable reimbursement. Kindly note that because the College is required to comply with the federal government’s regulations governing non-taxable employee’s business expenses, requests submitted after 90 days will be reimbursed but will be taxed and reported as income, as they do not meet the College’s Accountable Plan criteria.
• International Business Expense reimbursement requests must be submitted to the Accounts Payable Department for processing within 90 days after the completion of the event or travel to receive a non-taxable reimbursement. Kindly note that because the College is required to comply with the federal government’s regulations governing non-taxable employee’s business expenses, requests submitted after 90 days will be reimbursed but will be taxed and reported as income, as they do not meet the College’s Accountable Plan criteria.

For more information, please contact Accounts Payable.

Travel Approval

Faculty-led Group Travel

Faculty leading group study tours or other overseas group trips must obtain the following from all participants:

• Emergency Contact and Medical Information Form
• Release and Authorization Form
• Itinerary Report
• List of tour participants

All documents should be submitted to the attention of Elisha Rodriguez (erodriguez@tc.edu).

The  Office of International Students and Scholars processes oversees the Visiting Scholars program. Please feel free to contact OISS (tcintl@tc.columbia.edu | 212-678-3939) with any relevant inquiries.