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UCOP travel program introduced

By Angela Mujukian

Feb. 7, 2010 10:20 p.m.

In efforts to decrease spending on travel and entertainment, the University of California Office of the President created Connexxus, a travel program created in 2008 that UCLA is now starting to implement.

Connexxus will be presented at the 11th annual Travel Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 23 in Ackerman Grand Ballroom along with online booking demonstrations and information about study abroad programs.

The UC system spends about a quarter of a billion dollars each year on travel and entertainment, which includes airfare, lodging, meals and entertainment for faculty.

The program estimates to save $9 million UC-wide in its first year, $15 million in the second year, and $20 million by the third year, but UCOP will not measure its progress until 2010.

Connexxus is a portal where university travelers can receive discounts on airfare, hotel and car rentals, said Belinda Borden, manager of UCLA Travel Center. Connexxus is now offered at all 10 campuses and is not affiliated with the Education Abroad Program available for students.

“Connexxus is mostly for faculty and staff when the university is paying for their travel on university business, visitors to the campus, or when a graduate student might go to a conference and the UC is paying for it,” Borden said.

The UC Travel Management Council asked UCOP to look into the issue and develop a program that would produce savings and lower costs.

Soon after, travel and entertainment became a high priority on the UC Board of Regents’ agenda.

“The UC Travel Management Council, representing all campuses, medical centers and national laboratories, developed Connexxus,” said Matt Golden, director of UC Travel Management Services.

UCOP has been designing and implementing this travel management program over the past two years.

Connexxus is not for students, but for university business travel, Borden said.

“Connexxus has negotiated with preferred suppliers that essentially lower the cost of travel, and they also have made arrangements with Amtrak,” Golden said.

The program has contracts with major airline, car rental and hotel corporations such as American Airlines, Marriott and Enterprise.

“A lot of people are renting cars (in Haiti), and I think it’s terrific if something like this is being offered,” said Robin Derby, associate professor of history.

Derby plans to organize a trip to Haiti at the end of the month with numerous volunteers who would be able to use some of the contracts Connexxus offers.

“Any faculty members wanting to book travel to get to Haiti to aid the relief can book through Connexxus, and they would automatically receive the university’s travel insurance benefits,” Borden said.

Connexxus also covers all travelers by the university’s insurance.

“More information can be found on the Web site about university travel insurance,” Borden said. “We would be able to assist in emergencies if anyone gets sick and help them get out in an emergency, and it’s free to university employees.”

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