Travel Management Program Part II

This message is sent on behalf of Morty Yalovsky, Interim Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance)

Dear colleagues,

I am writing as a follow up to my note of June 20, 2016 on the subject of the University’s Travel Management Program (TMP). As you already know, some faculty and staff had expressed concerns relating to the TMP program. Having taken into account the representations that were made, a special meeting of the TMP Steering Committee was convened on July 13, 2016, consisting of academics, academic administrators and staff, and joined on this occasion by additional participants.  Decisions were taken with respect to the implementation of the University TMP which we believe address the concerns expressed by some of the stakeholders.

The TMP Steering Committee has recommended that travel funded through research grants and research contracts (Fund type 2F and 2M) not be subject to the booking procedures of Travel Management Program and can continue to be booked using customary procedures.

In addition, some at McGill have asked why the University has gone to public tender for travel services. Aside from the 2011 Strategic Reframing Initiative that sought to identify cost reduction opportunities at McGill, the context of this action is:

McGill’s cumulative annual spend on travel service fees (excluding the actual cost of airfare) has exceeded the legal threshold of $100,000 year after year; thus obliging McGill to comply with the public tendering requirements of The Act Respecting Contracting by Public Bodies (Act C-65.1)

Following the public tender process, Vision Travel was selected as the McGill Travel Management provider and in the future, payment of airfares booked via Vision Travel will be done using a University credit card. The use of this provider will be mandated for travel arrangements funded by all other fund types and furthermore, it is recommended that all travel funded by the University use Vision Travel.

The roll out of Vision Travel will be done on a gradual basis starting in late November. Further communications will be forthcoming as the implementation moves forward.

Thanking you and wishing you safe travel!

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