Communication Technology Allowance Policy
and Reimbursement Procedures
New policy effective July 1, 2009 (Revised 1/31/2020)
The full content of the Communication Technology Allowance (CTA) Policy is located in
the
University Policy Library.
Allowances:
For eligible employees as defined in the CTA Policy, the university may
provide allowances for the following technology services:
- Cellular devices voice/text messaging service
- Cellular devices ISP (internet service provider) data service associated with devices such as
smart phones and PDA's
- Cellular wireless modems associated with devices such as laptop computers
Allowances are provided to help cover the monthly cost for business use of an eligible
employee's personal cellular voice or cellular data service.
Use this form and work with your HR_Delivery@iastate.edu
specialist to process this allowance.
Infrequent employee reimbursement for cellular voice calls:
After July 1, 2009, employees who do not meet eligibility requirements to qualify for a cellular
voice
service allowance may be reimbursed for the actual cost of necessary business calls made on an
infrequent basis on an employee’s personal cellular device if:
- Each business call is identified and justified in writing, AND
- The business cellular voice use causes the personal plan to incur additional costs due to
- Roaming charges and/or
- Minute overage charges if ISU business calls caused the contract voice minutes to be exceeded in a given billing cycle and/or
- International or temporary access to other services when on temporary assignment or travel status
Infrequent business use of text messaging and ISP data services:
The university will not reimburse for infrequent business use of text messaging and ISP
data
service unless there is documentation of the actual university business usage. With
departmental approval, employees in extended travel status may request and receive
reimbursement
for data access when it is the most cost effective option for obtaining
these services.
Home internet reimbursement:
The university will not reimburse employees for incidental use of home internet/data
access as it is assumed employees already have
internet access and are incurring no
additional costs due to university business use.
There may be special circumstances where an employee’s primary workspace is not
located in university owned or rented space and where such costs may be considered
allowable.
Such workplace arrangements must be documented and approved by the
employing unit prior to costs being incurred or paid.
Question regarding the Communication Technology Allowance Policy or
Reimbursement Procedures may be directed to the Controller, 4-6653.
