NOVA’s Parking Office and NOVACard Services Refunds $1.2M in Spring Parking Fees

April 15, 2020 / Faculty/Staff Highlights

In working to get necessary resources back to students, the Parking and NOVACard Services Department, with the support of college leadership, offered 100% refunds on all active Spring 2020 Parking permits to minimize the financial impact on students as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding that students are adjusting to remote learning, NOVA employees took it upon themselves to make the process as seamless as possible. No documentation or steps were required on the permit holder side.

Roughly 13,000 active ‘Spring 2020’ permits were refunded, equating to $1.2 million. Despite the significant financial impact of the refunds, Parking Services does not expect any financial or operational setbacks going forward, as the self-sustaining auxiliary enterprise has adequate emergency reserves for such unforeseen circumstances. Charges for 11,000 online permits were refunded to student credit cards, and charges for 2,000 permits purchased at the parking office were refunded via check. Refund check processing was overseen by Sandy Hild and the NOVA Accounts Payable staff, in conjunction with the Shared Services Center. The overall efforts were coordinated and reconciled by Emily Southers (Assistant Director of Parking and NOVACard Services) and Nathaly Pacheco (Coordinator of Parking and NOVACard Finance).

The ability for the staff to adjust so quickly in preparation for an unprecedented return process allowed students to receive their refunds in record time. Generally, the process for returns takes up to 12 weeks, but this process was complete in an incredible four weeks, thanks to quick decision making and teamwork.

“This was a great team effort by a group of dedicated staff members,” said Ina Dimkova, vice president of finance and administration. “It has taken many people to ensure that NOVA students are taken care of during this difficult time, and this is an example of the behind-the-scenes projects going on daily to make that happen.”

This process was completed by a team of 12 central and campus Parking and NOVACard Services staff:

  • Layla Albayati
  • Omar Baluch
  • Shervin Behnami
  • Jason Burton
  • Adan Flores
  • Stephanie Fuller
  • Nathaly Pacheco
  • Emily Southers
  • Brena Stewart-Roane
  • Lance Titus
  • Aimi Walker
  • Fnu Zubair