Buying and Paying Financial Policies
A list of University financial policies and SEAS-specific financial policies related to purchases and payments are listed below in alphabetical order according to SEAS or University specific categories.
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SEAS Policies
SEAS Computer Purchasing Guidelines
This reference outlines device types, funding source and approval requirements. The link will bring you to the SEAS Computing website, where you will find the guidelines posted at the bottom of the page.
SEAS Faculty Startup Funds Spending Policy
List of allowable and un-allowable expenses on Faculty Startup Funds.
SEAS Noise-Canceling Headphones Policy
Link to policy stating the unallowable nature of this expense along with the few allowable exceptions.
SEAS NER Guidance for Preparers
This document reviews the basic steps to complete the NER process for preparers of NERs in B2P.
SEAS NER Guidance for Travelers
This document comprises SEAS-specific guidance for Harvard University business travel and reimbursements for non-employees.
SEAS NERF Excel Tracking Workbook
This workbook provides a tool to organize traveler's expenses and provide output for the preparer of the reimbursement in B2P.
SEAS PCard Process Guidance
Guidance for the responsibilities of cardholder, reviewer and administrator.
University Financial Policies
Fellowship Payments and Reimbursements for Students and Non-employee Postdocs/Fellows
At Harvard, we use the term “fellowships” to refer to a host of payments: awards, stipends, grants, and allowances. Fellowships are generally gross income to the recipient, unless they are qualified payments for required tuition and fees for a degree program. This policy and a Fellowships Toolkit can assist in classifying fellowship payments and reimbursements correctly.
Gifts and Celebratory Events for Employees and Nonemployees
Harvard units may occasionally spend modest amounts from appropriate funding sources to recognize employees or non employees under certain circumstances.
Honoraria and Reimbursements for Foreign Nationals
This policy outlines the circumstances in which the University can provide compensation to or pay for the travel expenses of guest speakers who are foreign nationals, and describes the associated tax implications.
Human Subject Payments
This policy establishes the tax reporting requirements and data-security protocols related to the payment of human subjects at Harvard.
Independent Contractor Policy
It is Harvard’s policy that an individual who is paid to provide services to Harvard must be hired as an employee unless the engagement satisfies the three part Independent Contractor test. Please review the policy and talk to your HR Business Partner if you have any questions or need clarification.
- Click to view the SEAS Independent Contractor Process.
- For a more in depth description of the policy and how it is applied, please view the Independent Contractor Policy Overview.
- For guidance on whether or not an Independent Contractor Questionnaire or Attestation is required to be completed when engaging an individual to perform a service, please view the SEAS Independent Contractor Flow Chart.
Procurement
This policy is intended to ensure that Harvard University resources are used properly in purchasing activities.
Purchasing Card
Harvard Purchasing Cards (PCards) are University-liability credit cards issued in the names of authorized, trained individuals to purchase certain eligible goods and services in support of Harvard University.
Responsibilities of Purchasers, Preparers and Approvers (ROPPA)
This policy defines and codifies the responsibilities of individuals who spend Harvard funds and who prepare and approve transactions.
Restricted Fund Spending Compliance
All Harvard University schools and units are required to establish sound procedures to manage spending on donor restricted funds to comply with terms and conditions. This policy establishes key controls that each school must include in its local procedures.
Short-Term Operating Advances
Harvard only permits a short-term operating advance (STOA) account for human subject payments or short-term projects where use of other payment methods is not feasible.
Summary of all Financial Policies
Click here to access a University list of each of the policies by title, with a short description of the policy and the system(s) it relates to.