Faculty Handbook

M&IE expenses

Meals and Incidental Expenses (M & IE) is intended for one person only and based on the most current rate available from the U.S. Department of State (unless you agree to accept a lower rate in order to keep program costs low). See www.state.gov/m/a/als/prdm/ for the current rate.  The rate varies according to geographic location and is for the actual time in a location abroad. Effective Spring 2009, all budgets will reflect a maximum 90% M&IE amount.  SeeAppeal Process to 90% Per Diem Policy for an explanation and appeal process.

M & IE is paid in lieu of actual expenses and eliminates the need to keep receipts for every personal transaction. It is intended to cover such things as meals, laundry and dry cleaning, fees, tips to waiters/porters/hotel maids, etc., baths, faxes, telegrams, telephone calls for reserving hotel rooms, transportation between places of lodging and business or where meals are taken.

If you are submitting receipts for group dinners that include yourself, you cannot collect M&IE plus be reimbursed for the group meal.  The Travel Office considers this “double dipping” and will reimburse you for whichever is lower.

If you bring family members with you, and they accompany the group on any portion of the program, you may wish to inform the students that the program does not cover the housing and per diem costs of your family members.  Students may have the impression that their program fees are covering what they perceive to be your family vacation.  See the following section titled “Guidelines for Accompanying Faculty Family Members” for further details.