A number of changes to procurement procedures have been recently announced as part of ongoing efforts to guide Penn State through budgetary challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The changes, which are in effect across the University, require unit budget officers to pre-approve purchasing card (PCard) transactions, purchase orders and special requests for check (SRFC) until normal operations resume.

“The current COVID-19 pandemic presents numerous challenges and ongoing uncertainty for the University,” wrote David Gray, senior vice president for Finance and Business/treasurer, and Nicholas Jones, executive vice president and provost, in a recent letter. “Yet, as we confront these challenges, we are encouraged by the resiliency and commitment of colleagues to work together in helping to mitigate the impacts of the crisis. One area where we must remain diligent during these times of financial stress is in the procurement of goods and services.”

Each unit will be responsible for implementing the changes, giving them flexibility based on their needs. Many budget officers already have been in contact with faculty and staff in their units, and will continue to be key sources of unit-specific information. Individuals making purchases should check with their department financial officers or budget executives to clarify any new process or procedures before making purchases. If there is a need for additional support or clarification, contact covidspending@psu.edu.

In addition, as a reminder, all University-sponsored travel is suspended through at least June 30. For essential travel, requests for exceptions must be sent through unit budget executives to the provost for approval.

To stay up to date with the latest information from Penn State on the University’s ongoing response to the pandemic, visit https://virusinfo.psu.edu/.