Many departments and units occasionally host conferences, and it is often a new or unusual process for the staff and/or faculty that are involved. Below we have tried to gather some information on conference organization and the UO rules, policies and procedures that apply in an easy reference format. Contacts for more information are listed within appropriate sections.

Initially, a conference coordinator should draft a preliminary budget and explanation of funding and present it to the department head for signature. The preliminary budget should include a brief outline of date, location, times, activities, speakers, registration fees, and other income.

UO employees seeking permission to host an event should email Rick Haught, director of scheduling and event services for further guidance.

1. An index must be established to receive registration fees and pay expenses. To obtain an index, contact your Budget Manager in the Office of Budget and Resource Planning. This index is established to separate all transactions related to the conference and to simplify record keeping.
    
2. A system for receipting each registration must be established.
   
   Some suggestions:
   
   a. Mail receipts to participants. Maintain a log of those paid and unpaid
   
   b. Attach a receipt to registration packet to ensure that all unpaid individuals will have fees collected at the beginning of a conference.
    
3. Cashiers
   
   Cash receipts (includes checks) must be deposited with the Cashier's Office. Refunds or expenditures must NOT be made from cash receipts. Cash should be recorded as soon as it is received (e.g. a pre-numbered receipt.)
   
   Receipt books may be purchased through Printing and Mailing Services. You may contact the Main Office at 346-3794. You may also order receipt books through the Printing and Mailing Services website at http://uoprint.uoregon.edu/, select the link for Job Order Forms, then complete and submit the Offset Printing form.
   
   1. White Copy Original - customer copy.
   
   2. Blue Copy -turned into the Cashier's Office to support cash received equals cash deposited.
   
   3. Yellow Copy - retained by department to maintain numerical sequence of receipts. All pre-numbered receipts should be accounted for; including voided originals, and should be retained by the department. Void or canceled receipts should be clearly marked so that they cannot be reused, and the white copy original should be submitted with departmental deposits to the Cashiers.

Restrictive Endorsement:

All checks must be properly and clearly endorsed, preferably with a rubber endorsement stamp. The required endorsement stamp must be ordered through the Cashier's Office (6-3154), which has the Cash Management Division approved format.

All checks must be restrictively endorsed immediately upon receipt..

Deposit Requirements:

Deposit all cash and checks received with the Cashier's Office at least once per week. However, when $1,000 or more is currently on hand, deposit all cash and checks within the next business day.

All departmental deposits must be transported to (BA) Cashiers in person. Deposit envelopes are to be taken directly to the side door of Cashiers. Deposits must include two completed copies of the BANNER TWADEPO Department Deposit form. One copy will be returned to the department immediately as verification of the deposit. Departments should revise their internal processes to include verification that the departmental copy of the Department Deposit Report was returned indicating the deposit was received in the Cashiers office.

Departmental deposits must be transported using tamper-proof, self-sealing poly bags. These bags are available through Cashiers (6-3154). Each bag is individually numbered and features a tear-off receipt. It is recommended that the deposit preparer retain the tear-off receipt and attach to the departments copy of the validated Department Deposit Report for tracking purposes.

Cash shortages > $20 must be immediately reported to the Cashier's Office (6-3154).

Foreign Currency:

Checks drawn on foreign banks (other than Canada) should be made payable to the University of Oregon in the denomination of the currency of the country in which the check is being drawn. Such checks should be logged on a separate University of Oregon Department Deposit form and deposited in accordance with the deposit requirements noted above.

Segregation of Duties:

No one individual should handle the cash transaction from beginning to end.

The employee who records the receipt of cash should be someone other than the person making the deposit. Total cash received (e.g. total of all pre-numbered receipts issued) should agree to the total of the deposit slips. If a department is unable to separate these functions due to staffing limitations, a responsible employee independent of these functions (normally a department head or administratively senior employee) should be designated to verify the total amount received equals the total amount deposited. This should be done daily, but no less than once per week.

For more information see the (BA) Cashiers page.

1. A Personal Services Contract/PSC or Purchase Order for Services must be drafted in advance of the event for all visiting speakers receiving a speaking fee (honorarium). PSC forms must be signed and approved by Purchasing and Contracting Services (PCS) or an authorized L2CA prior to the event, Purchase Order for Services must be signed by the contractor no later than the day of the event. For more information please call PCS at 6-2419 or visit the Purchasing and Contracting Services website to access their forms and instructions.

2. Merchandise bearing UO logos must be approved by Brand Management (formerly Trademark Management) - a list of current vendors already possessing UO artwork may be obtained to minimize costs.

3. Location, Food & Beverages:
   
   On Campus
   
   If the event is being held on campus or campus property, the  UO Catering Policy applies. For questions contact the University Housing Food Services Manager at 6-2666 or visit the University Catering and Conferences website.
   
   Off Campus
   
   If the estimated purchase price exceeds $25,000 then competition is required. See OAR 571-040-0250. The Lane County Convention and Visitors bureau's site for obtaining proposals from local vendors, may be helpful.
   
   Be aware of Banquet Event Order (BEO's) guarantee dates and the contracted amount you are obligated to. BEO's have deadlines that you must have your final number of participants or any changes due by. Once that date passes, you are obligated to that amount and will be billed accordingly.
   
   BEO's may be contracts requiring signatures that sometimes have their own terms and conditions. These contracts must be approved by Purchasing and Contracting Services. For more information contact PCS at 6-2419.
   
   If deposits or prepayments are required, please allow sufficient time for processing (2 weeks is recommended.)

4. Alcohol:  Institution funds may not be expended to purchase alcoholic beverages. In certain circumstances alcoholic beverages may only be served at banquets and other special group activities conducted as part of a workshop if full cost of such beverages is recovered through charges to the participants or sponsoring group. Income and costs must be accounted for in the appropriate fund using account code 62011 (Alcoholic Beverages). The institution is responsible for compliance with all laws and Oregon Liquor Control Commission regulations, including obtaining a one-day license for serving beer and wine. See: Permission to serve alcohol on campus forms (Office of Risk Management).
   
   Alcohol shall not be transported in a state vehicle.

5. Liability insurance: contact the Risk Manager at 6-8316 to ensure insurance compliance. See also Risk Management.

6. Off campus conferences: There is usually a use agreement/contract between the University and the facility. Like all contracts, a UO authorized contract officer must sign these contracts. Please contact Purchasing and Contracting Services for further assistance at 6-2419.

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