The Procurement Card (PCard) provides approved faculty and staff with a fast, convenient way to make routine, low‑dollar purchases for university business. The program streamlines purchasing, shortens processing time while maintaining strong financial controls.
PCards are intended for eligible goods and services and must be used in accordance with university, state, and sponsor requirements. PCards are NOT intended to be used for travel expenses. Review program guidelines, allowable uses, and responsibilities to determine whether a PCard is the right solution for your department.
Approved Charges
- Advertisements;
- Animal feed and bedding (purchase of animals is prohibited);
- Catering Services (Held at UConn locations only, where a signed contract is not required)*;
- Computer supplies, upgrades, replacement parts, for existing University-owned computers should be purchased in Husky Buy when possible. Components purchased with the intent to build a computer are not allowed;
- Conference registrations with department dean/director approval;
- Dues and Professional Membership(s) – (Business, Technical, Professional and Institutional memberships only, Lifetime and multiple year memberships are restricted);
- Floor and Window Treatments;
- Food (Take out or grocery store purchases for student activities & official business meetings held at a University campus location only). Must provide: business purpose, list of attendees and agenda; and completed Business Meal Pre-Approval Form (for staff only meetings) for submission to the KFS PCDO edoc when realocating;
- Gases under pressure (Instructions for Ordering & Shipping Instructions for AirGas is available for HuskyBuy orders, which is our preferred method)
- Gasoline (State vehicles only);
- Hardware supplies;
- Internet Purchases for Approved Items Only (must be a secure site)**;
- Laboratory chemicals (Storrs and Depot campuses must follow EHS procedures)***
- Maintenance Service/Repairs;
- Office, Laboratory and Educational supplies (items not available through Central Stores and HuskyBuy)
- Postage (non-metered mail up to $50.00 value);
- Subscriptions (Departmental use only);
- Tools, fixtures and miscellaneous apparatus
Restricted Charges
- Alcoholic beverages;
- Appliances;
- Animals;
- Biological Select Agents and Toxins (except for exempt quantity toxins);
- Business, travel, and entertainment related expenses;
- Cash advances of any type;
- All phone and related monthly charges;
- All clothing (including for promotional use);
- Chat GPT
- Computers/tablets (any value, any device that can access the internet. Also includes components that are purchased with the intent of building a computer.);
- Computer monitors
- Construction and Renovation Services (includes anything that requires installation);
- Contract agreements of any type or value that involve a signature;
- Controlled Substances and Prescription drugs;
- EBay or any other auction website;
- Equipment on the EHS Restricted Equipment list
- Equipment valued over $4,999.00
- Food & Beverages consumed at vendor’s location (i.e., eating in at a restaurant or eating at an off campus location. Only take-out of food and non-alcoholic beverages for events/meetings held at a UConn campus location are allowed);
- Food Trucks (on and off campus)
- Furniture of any type;
- Gasoline (except for State vehicles);
- Gifts/Donations (including flowers, gifts for life events, gifts for students, and milestones);
- Gift Cards – MUST submit PCard Gift Card Preapproval form on HuskyBuy and receive prior approval;
- Internet Service Providers;
- Invoice Payments when payment method was not identified at the time of purchase (considered unauthorized);
- Items prohibited from purchase under grant or research contract;
- Leases & Lease – Purchases or any other time payment;
- Memberships (lifetime or multiple years);
- Moving Services;
- Personal use items (i.e., attachés, folios, pen/pencil sets, etc.);
- Precious metals;
- Printing Services;
- Promotional Products/Apparel (UConn branded items and Non-UConn branded items)
- Radioactive Materials;
- Rental of vehicles;
- Reimbursements of any type;
- Signage
- Software – MUST receive written approval from Procurement prior to making the purchase.
- Web domain registrations
- Web hosting services
1.26.26 | Approval Authority for Financial Transactions Policy – Concur
In alignment with the recently revised Approval Authority for Financial Transactions Policy which was effective 7/1/25, changes have been implemented to ensure consistency and accountability in financial approvals.
Effective February 1, 2026, employees will no longer be permitted to delegate approval authority within the travel system (Concur).
Assistants and Travel Arrangers may continue to prepare Concur Requests and Expense Reports, and approvers may assign individuals to review submissions using the Previewer Delegate role. However, final approval authority must remain with the designated approver. For more information please refer to the Approval Authority guide.
For questions and assistance please contact travel@uconn.edu.
12.5.25 | Important Update: Revised University Travel Policy and Procedures
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce that the University has finalized a revised Travel Policy that will become effective on 2/1/26.
This revision includes several important and impactful changes that all employees should review carefully.
All University employees who travel on behalf of the University are expected to review and comply with the revised policy and procedures.
The updated policy and procedures, along with a summary of changes, are available here: Revised University Travel Policies and Procedures
To ensure clarity, understanding and help with compliance, we are in the process of arranging virtual meetings to communicate the changes to our travel policies and procedures, as well as to address any questions you may have regarding these updates. Please check www.travel.uconn.edu for future updates. In the meantime, if you have any questions or need assistance understanding the revisions, please contact the travel office at travel@uconn.edu.
- Identify academic, research, and operational needs early
- Explore existing contracts, preferred suppliers, and campus resources
- Ensure compliance with university, state, and sponsor requirements
- Ensure that existing contractual relationships are managed effectively and efficiently
- Understand University and Supplier compliance obligations
- Benefit from suppliers familiar with campus processes and expectations
- Manage travel booking and expenses
- Understand negotiated rates, protections, and reporting tools
- Know how and when to use travel cards and procurement cards