Travel expenses for ISU faculty have increased faster than any other area of the budget in past two years.

Johnny Pickett, assistant vice president for Business and Finance, said travel expenses for ISU faculty have increased 20 percent since fiscal year 1997, compared to a 13 percent increase in overall spending.

“Travel costs are rising somewhat faster than the rate of increase in the university’s overall budget,” she said.

Pickett said a factor in the increase is the high cost of airfare from Des Moines. Since the city is not a “hub” market for heavy air traffic, she said ticket prices tend to be more expensive.

Another reason for increased travel expenses, Pickett said, is a “growth in sponsored funding which involves travel to work with sponsors and collaborators at other institutions.”

She said a third reason for the increases is the increased study abroad opportunities for ISU students. More students and faculty are traveling abroad, where airfare is usually more expensive.

Bill Cahill, assistant chief accountant, said expenses for faculty travel may continue to increase. “If budgets are cut, travel expenses undoubtedly will be as well,” he said.

Travel expenses for the fiscal year 1999 totaled just under $15 million, and for fiscal year 2000 the total was $15.2 million.

Pickett said $5.3 million of the funding came from grant and contract funds, and another $2.8 million came from the general education fund and special allocations. She said organized activities, such as study abroad, supplied $2.6 million and the Athletics Department gave another $2.3 million and that the remaining $2 million is supplied by the Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Experiment Station and Agency.

Pickett said the total amount for faculty travel expenses is only 2 percent of the entire university budget.