Travel

Seattle Colleges has frozen all out-of-state travel funded by the operating budget to meet a 5% budget reduction for FY27. Exceptions require advance executive approval or must fall under specific state college system activities.

All out-of-state travel paid through operating budget funds is currently frozen to accommodate FY27's 5% travel budget cut.

• In- and Out-of-state Events: Employees participating in-state and out-of-state events must attend virtually if a remote option exists. If no virtual option is provided, travel requires advance approval from the President or Chancellor.
• International Recruitment: International Program recruitment travel funded by international revenues requires Chancellor approval prior to submission for Travel Authorization. 
• Attendance Caps: Pre-approval from the President or Chancellor is mandatory to send multiple attendees from a single department to the same event. 

Exemptions

• Travel to participate in WACTC commissions, councils, and SBCTC-sponsored meetings or professional development.
• Travel explicitly required by the collective bargaining agreement.

Requesting an Exception

To request an exception, complete the Out of State Purchase Exception Request Form.

Exception Process

Follow the steps below to request an exception to the travel freeze (see flowchart).

1. Submitter completes budget check with budget director prior to submission
2. Exception Request submitted in MS Forms
3. CEO's EA brings form before their respective cabinet.
4. Endorsed by CEO?
   1. No: EA informs submitter of decision and rationale.
   2. Yes: 
      1. EA updates excel sheet in MS Forms to reflect approval.
      2. EA inform requestor of approval.
      3. Submitter completes ctcLink process.
      4. Submitter includes approval email from EA as supporting documentation in ctcLink.