University to change travel management companies

The University of Nebraska announced Thursday that, effective Feb. 1, 2020, Fox World Travel Inc. will become the university’s official travel management company.

The letter to faculty and staff was signed by Chris Kabourek, vice president and chief financial officer, as well as vice chancellors for business & finance Doug Ewald from UNMC and UNO, Bill Nunez from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Jon Watts from the University at Kearney.

“Travel is integral to the university’s missions of teaching, research and outreach,” the letter read. “As you indicated in a recent survey, having a trusted travel partner is important to you as you engage the university’s many constituencies across the state, country and the world.”

The letter noted that a request for proposals was issued in the spring to travel agencies interested in partnering with the university, and a 13-member, university-wide committee representing faculty and staff from all four campuses evaluated the proposals.

“The committee recommended Fox World Travel based on excellent scores in the areas of best practices, cost savings and pricing,” the letter said. “The agency is also experienced in working with other major universities, including the University of Wisconsin and the University of Chicago.”

The letter noted the financial officers’ support for the committee’s recommendation.

“We are confident Fox World Travel will be a good partner going forward,” the letter continued.

“Our current agency, Travel and Transport, will continue to provide travel management services through January 2020. We thank them for their longtime partnership.”

The letter promised more details about the upcoming transition would be provided soon and directed questions to the university’s travel office at traveloffice@nebraska.edu or (402) 554-3456.