Business Guest

Includes, but is not limited to, donors or prospective donors, prospective employees, visiting dignitaries, or guest lecturers.

PROCESS:

General Requirements

KSU will pay or reimburse for ordinary and necessary entertainment expenses provided they meet all of the following criteria:

  • They are directly related to official KSU business and have a clear business purpose.
  • They are properly substantiated with itemized receipts and documentation.
  • They are allowable under all applicable KSU policies.
  • They are approved by an appropriate KSU official with budgetary authority.

Permissible Entertainment Activities

  • Entertaining Business Guests: Expenses incurred to host business guests are permissible.
  • Business Meetings: Expenses for meetings of employees to conduct official KSU business are permissible. At least one KSU employee must be present at any meeting that includes non-university individuals.
  • Donor and Community Relations: Expenses for events that are primarily social or recreational are permissible if they support an underlying KSU business purpose, such as promoting goodwill or donor cultivation.
  • Employee Morale and Recognition: Expenses for official employee morale-building activities are permissible. Examples include gatherings to honor a retiring employee (or one separating after at least five years of service), official employee recognition receptions, and an annual faculty/staff picnic.

Prohibited Expenditures

KSU funds may not be used under any circumstances for the following:

  • Personal occasions such as employee birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, showers, or similar private events.
  • Working lunches, refreshments, or meals provided at a routine staff or departmental function that does not have a clear and documented business purpose beyond the normal scope of work.

REFERENCES AND RELATED MATERIALS:

  • KSU Accountable Plan for Employee Expenses Policy
  • KSU Purchasing Policy
  • IRS Publication 463 (Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses)

CONTACTS: