[Moderate revision–posted 2/13/26 (replaces 2/24/25 edition)]
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Operating Policy and Procedure

OP 72.16: Professional and Social Memberships

DATE: February 13, 2026

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Operating Policy/Procedure (OP) is to provide specific guidance for professional and social memberships that support Texas Tech University’s strategic initiatives.

REVIEW: This OP will be reviewed every two years after publication by the Assistant Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer with substantive revisions forwarded to the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

POLICY/PROCEDURE

1.  Policy

This policy will apply when using university funds from any funding source and applies to both professional and social memberships.

2.  Memberships

a.    Texas Tech University (TTU) may pay a membership fee to a professional or non-professional organization if:

(1)    TTU has specific or implied statutory authority for the payment;

(2)    The payment would serve a proper public purpose;

(3)    The membership is permitted on the funding type; and

(4)    TTU would receive adequate consideration in exchange for the payment.

b.    The membership organization must be reviewed by Procurement Services (whether on a requisition in TechBuy or on a PCard) prior to payment of any membership dues with university funds. If the membership organization is on the Texas Comptroller’s lobbyist list, TTU cannot proceed with the membership on appropriated (11, 12, or 14) or federal (21) funds.

c.    No membership can be paid on appropriated funds (funds starting with 11, 12, and 14) unless prior written approval is received from the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer or their designee. The written approval email must be attached to the requisition or the PCard reconciliation or documented through workflow approval in TechBuy. If paid on a requisition in TechBuy, the requisition must be submitted on the membership form in TechBuy prior to the start of the membership. Memberships are never allowed on 13 funds.

d.    Additional restrictions will be applied if the organization hires a lobbyist and the transaction is on appropriated or federal funds. Payments to the organizations will not be allowed unless prior written approval is received by the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer or their designee. TTU is required to report these payments to the state Legislative Budget Board, Senate Finance Committee, and House Appropriations Committee. A potential list of lobbyists can be reviewed on the Texas Ethics Commission website.

e.    Memberships must be in the name of Texas Tech University and cannot be in the name of an individual. Individuals may be shown as representatives.

f.    The following information is required on the requisition for a membership:

(1)    A benefit statement;

(2)    The name of the representative(s);

(3)    Membership starting date;

(4)    Membership ending date; and

(5)    The amount due.

The benefit statement must indicate the benefit TTU receives or derives from becoming a member of the organization.

g.    Memberships may be processed on a PCard as long as the transaction is compliant with this operating policy.

h.    Departmental wholesale purchasing club memberships are permitted. There may be only one wholesale purchasing club membership per department (e.g., one Sam’s Club membership for a department). The club must accept the university’s U.S. Bank PCard for payment of goods. Faculty, staff, or student reimbursements (One-Time Payments) for goods purchased at a purchasing club are not allowed. Appropriated funds (11, 12, 13, and 14) and sponsored project funds (21, 22, and 23) are not allowed for purchasing club memberships.

i.    No membership paid for with university funds shall be used for personal use or benefit at any time.

j.    TTU prohibits the payment of social memberships (Texas Tech Club, country clubs, sporting clubs) with appropriated funds (funds starting with 11, 12, and 14) or designated funds (any fund starting with 16).  Social memberships are also not permitted on grant funds (21, 22, or 23) unless the membership is required by the grant. Documentation must be provided in TechBuy or on the PCard reconciliation to document the grant requirement. No reimbursement will be made for any personal food and entertainment expenses related to the social memberships. Food and entertainment expenses must comply with OP 72.05, Expenditures for Official Functions, Business Meetings, and Entertainment.

k.    A list of all social memberships will be provided annually to the appropriate level vice president (e.g., the Provost shall review all academic social memberships) for review and determination of whether such social membership aligns with TTU’s strategic and budgetary initiatives.

OP Categories

• 01 Chancellor
• 02 Development
• 04 Audit Services
• 10 President
• 30 Academic and Student Affairs – General
• 32 Academic Policies – Faculty
• 34 Academic Policies – Students
• 36 Academic Programs
• 40 Institutional Compliance
• 48 Communication Services
• 52 Information Technology
• 60 Environmental Health and Safety
• 61 Facilities Management
• 62 Financial and Accounting
• 63 General Services
• 64 Graduate Programs (Faculty and Students)
• 65 Research Accounting
• 66 Libraries
• 67 Mail Services
• 68 Communications and Marketing
• 69 Payroll and Tax Services
• 70 Human Resources
• 72 Purchasing, Contracting, and Payables
• 73 Data Management
• 74 Research
• 75 Research Security
• 76 Security
• 77 Student Services and Registrar
• 78 Traffic and Parking
• 79 Travel
• 80 Vehicles