Navigating CSUBUY Procure-to-Pay: A Peer Exchange on Processes, Staffing, and User Experience
Tracks
Business And Financial Services
| Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Junior 1 |
Overview
Junior 1
Details
This moderated discussion invites both new and experienced CSUBUY Procure-to-Pay users to engage in a collaborative session focused on the operational impacts of system adoption within auxiliary organizations. Participants will share and explore documentation of internal processes, workflow structures, staffing changes, and role definitions, especially regarding the delineation between shoppers and requestors. The session will also address user experience challenges, support strategies during transition, and methods for encouraging adoption and minimizing resistance. With a strong focus on auxiliary operations, the session highlights how the Procure-to-Pay system affects decentralized procurement, staff training, and compliance needs unique to auxiliaries. Attendees are encouraged to bring workflow diagrams, desk procedures, and training materials to foster shared learning. We’ll conclude by identifying key lessons learned and invite attendees to join a listserv or shared drive for ongoing resource sharing and problem-solving around CSUBUY challenges specific to auxiliary operations.
With a strong focus on auxiliary operations, the session highlights how the Procure-to-Pay system affects decentralized procurement, staff training, and compliance needs unique to auxiliaries. Attendees are encouraged to bring workflow diagrams, desk procedures, and training materials to foster shared learning.
We’ll conclude by identifying key lessons learned and invite attendees to join a listserv or shared drive for ongoing resource sharing and problem-solving around CSUBUY challenges specific to auxiliary operations.
Speaker
Sam Caudill
Executive Support Coordinator
Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation
Navigating CSUBUY Procure-to-Pay: A Peer Exchange on Processes, Staffing, and User Experience
Abstract
This moderated discussion invites both new and experienced CSUBUY Procure-to-Pay users to engage in a collaborative session focused on the operational impacts of system adoption within auxiliary organizations. Participants will share and explore documentation of internal processes, workflow structures, staffing changes, and role definitions, especially regarding the delineation between shoppers and requestors. The session will also address user experience challenges, support strategies during transition, and methods for encouraging adoption and minimizing resistance. With a strong focus on auxiliary operations, the session highlights how the Procure-to-Pay system affects decentralized procurement, staff training, and compliance needs unique to auxiliaries. Attendees are encouraged to bring workflow diagrams, desk procedures, and training materials to foster shared learning. We’ll conclude by identifying key lessons learned and invite attendees to join a listserv or shared drive for ongoing resource sharing and problem-solving around CSUBUY challenges specific to auxiliary operations.
Biography
Sam Caudill is a Certified Research Administrator and graduate of Cal Poly Humboldt, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Photography. Since 2014, she has worked with the Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation, serving on the Front Office, Compliance, and Post-Award teams. In her current role as Executive Support Coordinator, Sam partners closely with the University’s Accounts Payable and Procurement teams, helping guide the auxiliary through the CSU’s complex transition to CSUBuy Procure-to-Pay. She is eager to share lessons learned—both successes and challenges—from this process and to build a network of CSU auxiliary staff leading similar efforts across their campuses. Sam’s favorite part of the job is receiving research reports that include photos of adorable animals, though she also has a deep appreciation for a well-designed spreadsheet.
Peter Zerkel
SPF/AP Lead Account Tech
Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation
Navigating CSUBUY Procure-to-Pay: A Peer Exchange on Processes, Staffing, and User Experience
Biography
Peter Zerkel is a graduate of Cal Poly Humboldt, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. He currently serves as the Accounting Technician III for Accounts Payable and is the Technical Lead for the AP/Sponsored Programs Foundation (SPF) payment processing unit. In this role, Peter oversees a team dedicated to ensuring the accurate and timely processing of financial transactions within SPF.
Since the launch of the CSU Buy Procure-to-Pay (P2P) program, Peter has played a key role in aligning SPF operations with the broader stateside forward P2P application. His proactive approach has helped bridge the gap between SPF’s independent processes and the university’s unified procurement system, enhancing workflow efficiency, accountability, and compliance.
When he's not looking at spreadsheets, Peter enjoys board game nights, watching fantasy movies on the couch with his partner, and dancing to live music.
