Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, the chief executive officer of each institution within the jurisdiction of a constituent unit of the state system of higher education shall have the authority to approve travel requests and the payment of travel expenses incurred by employees of their institutions, in accordance with rates and policies approved by the board of trustees of the constituent unit, provided such rates and policies (1) are approved after reasonable opportunity has been provided for interested persons to present their views and (2) are subject to section 4-175. Travel expenses paid pursuant to this subsection shall be paid upon the order of the Comptroller.