The revisions removed the provision that planning unit heads must authorize these expenditures.  Now, any authorized signer in a department has the authority make those determinations.

According to University Controller Gina Fetty, the former practice was burdensome and, since other types of discretionary spending do not require that level of approval, there was no reason to continue it.

Fetty also noted that planning unit heads may still choose to have these expenses approved by them. That decision, however, will now be determined at the planning unit level and not required by the university.

To view the full policy, visit www.ohio.edu/policy/03-020.html.