their name on their frequent flyer account.

As for whether you can write "perks" into your contract with a university: maybe at a private university, or it you're funded by private money (but still, not very likely ... you'd have to be highly sought after to get away with such a request. Almost always, public money (state, federal) cannot be used to pay for first class - and for international flights for which you're going to be reimbursed, you're supposed to fly american carriers unless you can justify why not (no flights on an american carrier to the destination, etc.).