Graduate Resources

Graduate Student Responsibilities

Graduate students must assume full responsibility for knowledge of rules and regulations of the Graduate School and departmental requirements concerning their individual degree programs. Since requirements and programs are subject to change, students should at all times be aware of current regulations. Each student is personally responsible for completing all requirements established for his or her degree by the university, college, and department. It is the student’s responsibility to learn these requirements; a student’s advisor or counselor may not assume that responsibility. Students should also be aware that ignorance of a rule is not justification for waiving the rule.

Travel

You should consult the Graduate Coordinator prior to making any travel arrangements. When traveling with state, LSU, department, or research grant funds, certain procedures are necessary. All LSU travel must be authorized in advance. Proper procedure is even more important if you expect reimbursement for all or part of your travel costs. Always find out in advance what is necessary concerning authorization, receipts, and reimbursement. You can find the most updated information about university travel here.

Graduate students presenting research papers at professional meetings may be eligible for travel grant support by applying for the Graduate Student Association Travel Award. Camille Dupuis (cwilth2@lsu.edu) is the department's travel coordinator for Graduate Students.

Steps to Arrange University Travel for Graduate Students

A travel questionnare should be submitted online as soon as possible. Please fill out the information to the best of your ability. It is okay if some things are left blank. If you receive the GSA Travel Award, please write that as the "account number." The form will be automatically routed to the Graduate Coordinator to complete step 2.
Travel/Spend Authorizations must be fully completed by the Graduate Coordinator and approved by the student prior to making any travel arrangements. The travel form allows the Graduate Coordinator to complete your spend authorization, so please include as much information as possible. If any travel expenses are paid prior to travel authorization approvals, the employee may be at risk of not being reimbursed.
Book travel (hotel, airfare, etc.)
- The State of Louisiana contracted travel agency is Christopherson Business Travel (CBT) and the CBT Concur Online Booking System is available on myLSU under Travel Resources. This is where you can book the lowest-cost flight. If you do not book through CBT, you risk not being reimbursed for your airfare.
- For all hotel lodging, including AirBnB, only the first night lodging should be paid to secure the reservation. Lodging should not be prepaid in total, payment should be made upon checkout. If travel is canceled for any reason and the total lodging amount was prepaid, only the first night of lodging may be allowed as a University expense. The other prepaid lodging days will be the responsibility of the traveler.
- Enterprise, National and Hertz remain the out-of-state travel state contract vendors and use is mandatory for employees traveling out-of-state.
- Personal travel destinations should not be included in business travel airfare. Refer to PM-13 for reimbursement limitations.
Upon your return, please submit all receipts (except for meals) to the Graduate Coordinator within one week from the date of your return. Your Expense Report cannot be completed for your reimbursement until receipts are submitted and late submittal does not guarantee reimbursement.

Please contact Camille W. Dupuis (cwilth2@lsu.edu) if you are a Graduate Student and have questions about university travel. The rules are very strict, so it is crucial that the process is completed correctly.