As a public institution, the university is held to a high degree of public scrutiny and accountability for its business practices. Issuance of a payment card is a privilege, and every reasonable effort must be made to verify that funds are used responsibly and in a manner consistent with the purpose and mission of the university. Payment cards are issued by Ohio university as a convenience for purchasing goods and some limited services (e.g., travel) by university employees. As such, payment cards are issued at the discretion of the university. 

Ohio university (university) offers a corporate payment card program to provide a convenient means with which to make qualified purchases that may not be available through the university's e-procurement system. This program is designed to reduce the costs associated with initiating and paying for certain purchases. The program allows the cardholder to charge authorized purchases to the appropriate university account within the established limits of the card. 

All purchases must comply with all university policy and procedure and must meet all grant or foundation account requirements, with special attention to the Equipment Inventory Policy; Travel and Entertainment Policy; and all Purchasing Policies Beginning with number "55." 

The procedures associated with this policy are an integral part of the university payment card program. The policy, procedure, training, and other documentation (i.e., webpages) are maintained by the Vice President for Finance and Administration designee and reviewed with policy reviewers on an as needed basis. 

The payment card (pcard) program offers many card types to meet a diverse set of end user needs. A general overview of each card type can be found in the procedures documentation listed under the references section of this policy. Card options will/may change (i.e., new options provided, existing options discontinued) as the payment card industry options and technolo