The term is sometimes used inappropriately by speakers and staff as it refers to the remuneration of a professional for services provided as a guest speaker, competition judge, etc. Webster`s definition of “fee” is “a payment to a professional person for services for which no fee is fixed or legally available.” In other words, the professional does not discuss or expect material or financial compensation for his time, and there is no oral or written contract expressing payment for the services to be received from the University. A “fee” is offered solely as a goodwill gesture to cover any transportation and accommodation costs that the Invited Professional may incur in response to an invitation to speak, evaluate or volunteer. A “fee amount” is a reasonable estimate of the expected costs that the invited professional will incur. Fees must be charged with expense code 550800 (Professional Travel-Other). If the person is a non-U.S. citizen with or without a Social Security number, notification and consultation with the purchasing manager must be made at least (90) days prior to the event or work to determine whether the non-U.S. citizen is claiming a tax deduction of the fee or is qualifying with the government to receive a fee. A personal, professional, counselling or social service contract is not required if the above criteria for remuneration are met. However, for payment to a person, a person`s social security number is required to receive the fee.
The consultation with the purchasing manager must take place at least (14) days before the event so that the payment of a fee can be made by mutual agreement. .
