Prepayment travel to return

ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ
Controversy erupted across campus after Student Business Services (SBS) announced last week that it would no longer offer prepaid travel for student organizations. However, that decision has been rescinded.
Prepaid travel for student organizations will once again be an option for student organizations.
Originally, the policy was removed after student body president Chris Griffin vetoed a bill that would offer funding for an additional SBS staff member. His reasons included concerns about being able to continue funding the position and doubt that SBS’s workload is sufficient to warrant the additional position.
SBS Director Matthew Swanson defended the need for the position in a letter sent out to Student Government (SG) senators. According to the letter, reimbursement-exclusive travel takes 30 minutes for the department to process, but prepayment travel takes two hours to process.
“This was not an easy decision because one of my goals for our department is to eventually move us to only offering prepayment services to make it easier, and less stressful, for students to travel,” Swanson told The Oracle.
“Due to the increase in our travel-related workload, we would not be able to respond to all travel requests if we were still offering prepayment services”
In his letter, Swanson said that last year, SBS managed 967 trips compared to the 586 trips the year before, along with 3,355 fiscal transitions compared to the 2,440 the year before.
However, at the SG senate meeting Tuesday night, the senate overrode Griffin’s veto, which means the position will be funded for $42,652 from unallocated funds.
More Stories
Former USF employee, student protesters no longer facing felony charges
A group of USF protesters arrested on March 6, self-named the “Tampa 5,” agreed to a “misdemeanor intervention program” and had charges dropped on Tuesday, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office. Alum Laura Rodriguez, students Gia Davilla, Jeanie Kida and Lauren Pineiro and former USF employee Chrisley Carpio were charged with battery on […]
USF delays opening of on-campus stadium by one year, releases updated design model
Fans will have to wait a bit longer than anticipated to see an on-campus stadium. USF announced that the on-campus stadium opening has been delayed from its initial projection in fall 2026 until 2027 at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting. It was also announced that construction on the stadium will not begin until fall […]
USF ends agreement with company leading construction of on-campus stadium
USF has terminated the design-build agreement for the $340 million on-campus stadium project, according to an official statement issued by USF on Friday. The university previously reached a $14.8 million design-build agreement with Tampa-based construction company Barton Marlow on April 25. The statement issued by USF said “the university has informed Barton Marlow of its […]
Tampa rent prices keep rising. How are USF students managing?
For communications major Umaya Sakhi, rent is one of the most difficult things to afford as a college student. Sakhi said they have struggled with rent since their freshman year, having to balance schoolwork and a part time job to cover their living expenses. “There are times where I’m able to save up in advance […]
‘There’s no space’: Students mixed on USF restricting areas of honors college building
Sophomore environmental science major Marisabel Paredes, a non-honors student, said the change to access at the Judy Genshaft Honors College building is somewhat fair. “When I used to come here, it used to be really full. And I guess that it might be unfair for honors students who actually are coming to use the space […]
Countdown to midnight: FAFSA to open applications on New Year’s Eve
This year, students will have to add another New Year’s resolution to their list: completing the annual FAFSA form. The 2024-25 form for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open for students on Dec. 31, according to the launch announcement on the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website. Related: Here’s a breakdown of […]