12/18/2025
By Sharon-Anne Mapes

We greatly appreciate the strong campus support as we completed our financial reports and audits for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring that we uphold all guidelines, policies, and procedures. Higher education continues to evolve, and more changes are certainly ahead, but together we remain resilient and committed to moving forward.

Business Travel and Expense Update 

The Controller’s Office has included Fly America requirements (pdf) on our travel page. Federally sponsored trips must utilize the U.S. flag carriers at the lowest available rates unless pertinent exceptions apply.

Bank Card information should not be saved on apps or websites. This will prevent using the University Bank Card for personal purchases. 

All services according to the Bank Card Standards in the Business Travel and Expense Policy must be procured through Buyways. The Bank Card cannot be used to pay for services; this includes but is not limited to paying contractors, renting space, chartering a bus, etc. Gift cards purchased for a UML business purpose can only be purchased with a Declining Balance Card or using DASH. DASH is a new and improved option for human subject payments/gift cards. DASH offers a more economical, manageable, and flexible solution compared to the Declining Balance Card. Email controller@uml.edu to learn more about DASH.

Most of you have now used the Concur enhancements. For questions regarding the updates, please send a ticket to travelexpense-services@umassp.edu. For travel-related inquiries, please continue to refer to UML’s Travel Page and you may also email Travel@uml.edu.

Security and Access

Departments responsible for managing access to departmental systems at UMass Lowell play a critical role in ensuring operational continuity, system protection and compliance with audit and regulatory requirements. The Information Security standards establish minimum guidelines and expectations for system administration, university policies, applicable regulations, and cybersecurity best practices. 

The new Financial Service Access Form must be completed for new employees, employee transfers to another department, terminated employees, changes in supervisors, etc. This form should be initiated by the departments and will help UML stay in compliance with our access guidelines. This is not issued to employees automatically. Finance systems access is based on the need for each position.

Super User Tips

  • Stay Informed: Visit the UML Financial Systems Blog for important Summit updates.
  • Buyways Repository Module (BRM): Please continue to use BRM for creating, storing, and managing all non-vendor agreements.
    • BRM will improve approval workflow, enhance tracking capabilities, provide legal and PCI compliance, and notify users of contract expiration dates. 
    • BRM will also ensure that only those with signing authority are signing contracts/agreements on behalf of UML.
    • Please email controller@uml.edu for guidance and access to the BRM.
  • Conflict of Interest: If a university employee is traveling to a conference and is having the registration fee waived and/or other expenses covered, prior to the event, they must follow the disclosure process as required by 930 CMR 5.08(2)(d)1 (pdf). Liability for any violation of the Conflict-of-Interest law is personal to the employee. 
  • Chartfield Lookup Page Upgrade: The Chartfield Lookup page upgrade is now complete. Please clear your browser cache before accessing the upgraded page.

Stay Tuned 

Happy Holidays!