The Business Office has observed a recent uptick in purchases under the S&B Marketplace Contract for items that do not comply with tax-levy funding policy. As marketplace requisitions do not come through the Purchasing Office, they are not reviewed until an invoice is submitted to Accounts Payable for review, which results in vouchers being rejected after an order has been placed. Although these items are available on the underlying State Contract, all requisition creators are advised that the purchase of certain items are not permitted under University policy, depending on the funding source and intended use.  

In particular, please be advised of the following restrictions in place by the University for use of tax-levy funds, as they relate to commonly purchased items on the S&B Marketplace Contract:

  1. Tax-levy monies permitted in all circumstances (office and student-facing purposes):
    1. Cups for water;
    2. Water filtration systems;
    3. Soap; and,
    4. Maintenance and replacement of standard appliances, including microwaves and refrigerators.
  1. Tax-levy monies permitted in limited circumstances:
    1. Snacks and Food;
    2. Water and Beverages;
    3. Paper goods for student event use.

These items are only permissible when purchased for serving students as a program-related food expense. Departments may only purchase these items on an as-needed basis, and not a blanket order basis.   

All departments should only be purchasing water through the DCAS Contract with BlueTriton Brands. Departments are reminded, however, that in accordance with GreenNY purchasing guidelines, the purchase of plastic bottles for individual use should be avoided.  

  1. Tax-levy monies not permitted under any circumstances:
    1. Coffee and Coffee-related incidentals;
    2. Paper goods for faculty/staff/employee use (including but not limited to cups intended for beverages other than water [i.e. plastic champagne flutes and hot cups], napkins, cutlery, and paper towels).

The College is not permitted to obligate tax-levy funding for these purchases. Staff are reminded that certain items, such as paper towels, are provided by Facilities in break room areas that have a dispenser. Please do not submit marketplace requisitions with these items under the CSIPR BU, as they will be non-approved.

If your department is unsure whether the purchase of an item is acceptable under a particular funding source, please contact either Purchasing@csi.cuny.edu or AccountsPayable@csi.cuny.edu  for clarification.

By the CSI Business Office