Important: DEM Travel Guidance for FY25 and FY26

On March 21, 2025, Chancellor Mnookin, Provost Isbell and Vice Chancellor Cramer announced additional fiscal controls for FY25 and FY26 (i.e. now through June 30, 2026), including measures to curtail non-essential travel. It is important to emphasize that this is not a restriction on all university travel. Rather, it is an adjustment to ensure that vital travel continues while protecting resources by limiting other types of travel. Each team member’s professional growth and development is critical to our collective success. These stricter conditions on travel are necessary given the fiscal realities we currently face, but we should continue to consider any available virtual and local options. Effective on March 24, 2025, the following guidance applies to all DEM team members. If you have questions, please contact Jeremy Traska or Kelly Layton.   Travel That Can Still Occur Essential Travel: University travel that, if not undertaken, will directly and negatively affect the divisional enrollment strategy to attract, enroll, support, and graduate the most talented students. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Recruitment activities
  • Outreach activities
  • Compliance-related professional training activities as determined and approved by the unit director
Required Travel: University travel that is necessary to uphold a commitment and/or arrangement deemed critical to maintaining UW–Madison’s reputation. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Board meetings (no virtual alternatives)
  • Committee meetings (no virtual alternatives)
  • Presentations (no virtual alternatives)
  • SSTAR Lab research meetings (no virtual alternatives)
Already Booked Travel with Director Approval: University travel that is not deemed essential or required but was booked on or before March 24, 2025, AND the unit director determined that the cost savings from cancellation would not result in a material benefit to UW–Madison. Documentation of director approval is required. DEM Development Days: The new travel guidance does not affect the expectations for in-person campus attendance for the two annual division-wide team engagement and development days. This includes the upcoming May 15th DEM Professional Development Day and Annual Awards Gala.    Travel That Cannot Occur Non-Essential/Non-Required Travel: Any university travel that does not fall within the essential or required travel definitions. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Conference attendance (if not presenting or required to attend)
Already Booked Travel without Director Approval: University travel that is not deemed essential or required and was booked on or before March 24, 2025, AND the unit director determined that the cost savings from cancellation would result in a material benefit to UW–Madison. Contact Kelly Layton or unit finance leads for the cancellation process.