The Society for Collegiate Travel & Expense Management...

The Society for Collegiate Travel and Expense Management is the premier professional organization created and run by academic institutions. The Society is dedicated solely to the needs of academic administrators responsible for the development and administering of travel and expense management programs in higher education. Unlike other organizations focused on academic institutions, SCTEM is focused on the unique challenges faced by academic institutions across all aspects of travel. SCTEM is the only organization with this unique mission and strives to adapt to the needs of its participants.

SCTEM provides continuing opportunities for professional development, in the form of its annual conference and ongoing opportunities for networking among peers within the organization, as well as leaders in all fields of the travel industry.

The Society responds to the issues of the day as they relate to those in academic institutions who are responsible for all facets of the travel process including responsibility for the following:

  • Bid, negotiate, and manage travel-related contracts with travel suppliers to include airlines, hotels, ground transportation of all types, corporate and purchasing card providers and suppliers of a wide range of web-based software, to include travel and expense management tools.
  • Maintain compliance with IRS, state, NCAA and funding-source regulations through expense policy development, enforcement and audit, manage travel expense reimbursements and supplier payments and assume fiduciary responsibility for travel expenses related to federal grants and contracts.
  • Mitigate risk through the development of policies that monitor risk factors, provide crisis management in cases of emergencies, and provide appropriate oversight of agreements to minimize exposure to the institutions
  • Procure, develop and maintain software systems to support and integrate travel and finance related programs

The Society partners with travel related suppliers to network with collegiate decision makers, to educate and inform on current issues in the industry, enhance services, and recommend solutions that create financially beneficial partnerships.

SCTEM is hosted by Michigan State University, follows the principles articulated in SCTEM’s Bylaws, and is supported and guided by a volunteer Advisory Board made up of academic travel managers and travel suppliers.

SCTEM National Conference 

SCTEM provides an opportunity for representatives from more than 200 colleges, universities, academic-medical centers, and academic-research centers to convene at its annual national conference. The conference location rotates each year, providing a focus on the region’s academic institutions.

The size of the conference and the similar responsibilities of the attendees provide a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge and develop strong professional networking contacts that support one another throughout the year.

More than 30 industry suppliers, who specialize in college/university travel and expense management, exhibit during SCTEM’s national conference. Many of these companies provide valuable support of the annual conference through sponsorships. The conference includes a two-day forum during which suppliers can showcase their products and services, and network with collegiate attendees. Because all attendees are encouraged to participate in the education sessions provided at each conference, suppliers have the opportunity for greater understanding of the unique needs and challenges of academic travel programs. SCTEM program sub-committee focuses on developing presentations that are topically relevant to include:

  • Gaining leadership support in order to market collegiate travel programs to the campus community

  • Cutting edge technology developments to support travel expense management
  • Techniques for negotiating travel contracts with proven value to travelers and collegiate travel programs
  • Creating and maintaining robust university travel risk programs
  • Keys to successful card programs: managing an efficient and effective institutional liability card
  • Creating travel policies that make sense and work for the betterment of the institution without cramping your travelers’ styles

Our Sponsors

  Our Sponsors