A Request for Travel Authorization (RTA/VE5) must be created and approved before any business travel takes place (see UT Austin Handbook of Business Procedures notation below).
All staff business travel requires approval by their immediate supervisor prior to the creation of the RTA and the approval must be attached to the RTA for routing.
Handbook of Business Procedures
11.2. TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION
A. Introduction
Prior approval for all business travel is required for absences of employees from the campus or other designated headquarters for periods of half a day or more during the normal working period, whether or not there is a cost to The University. Non-employees and students not traveling as employees (traveler types N and S on an electronic Request for Travel Authorization) are not required to have prior approval before claiming travel reimbursements. The Office of Accounting does not require travel authorization for personal absences such as vacation.