The purpose of this policy is to establish parameters for the payment or reimbursement of costs associated with UW-Madison business meals and hosted events.
This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, and non-employees using UW-Madison funds and/or resources administered by the university to pay for business meals or hosted events.
This policy excludes:
A business meal is payable/reimbursable only when it is necessary to conduct UW-Madison business during the meal (e.g., dinner with a distinguished speaker and faculty members, lunch with an interview candidate and the interview committee, breakfast with an onsite research team when practical).
Payment/reimbursement of business meals is limited to the following, per person, including tip/gratuity:
Type of Meal | Continental US | All Other Locations - Including International |
---|---|---|
Breakfast | $28 | $35 |
Lunch | $31 | $40 |
Dinner | $46 | $60 |
Refreshment Break | $14 | $20 |
Hosted events are subject to the same per-person limits as business meals.
When a reception is held instead of a meal, the food and beverage costs must be within the per person limits of this policy for the time of day the reception takes place. If a reception is held between meal periods, the per person limits of this policy apply to the higher of the two meal limits.
Departments planning a UW-Madison hosted event must adhere to UW-3049 Catering On and Off Campus.
All contracts for events taking place off-campus (at non-UW-Madison facilities) must be reviewed, approved, and signed by UW-Madison Purchasing Services.
The university will not pay or reimburse for any business meal costs that are noncompliant with this policy.
07-01-2022, 12-27-2022, 12-26-2023, 11-07-2024, 07-01-2025
07/01/2020, 07/01/2025