LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It has happened to Art Institute schools across the country and now many students in Las Vegas are worried their campus may be next to close after a number of troubling signs.
"I went to go see the [Las Vegas Campus] president and that is when he told me [some staff] were gone, they were fired or let go and admissions and financial aid is no longer a part of the school," said parent Patrice Pinder.
Pinder said her son alerted her that the offices for student admissions and financial aid appeared closed.
Earlier this month, Pinder said a tax seizure notice by the Clark County Assessor's office had been posted on the Art Institute's door.
As of Wednesday evening, the notice was no longer posted.
"It's just one heartache, nightmare after the other," said student Ashayla Ross who is studying fashion design.
Ross went though an Art Institute closure in Chicago and after transferring to Nevada she is fearing a similar shut down.
"If they transfer us to other campuses or not, we're still going to get screwed over," added Ross.
Ross told 13 Action News many of her credits did not transfer from Illinois to Nevada which set her back at least a year from graduation.
The Las Vegas campus is one of the remaining schools within the Art Institute system.
According to the Art Institute website, 44 schools have been closed by the parent company Dream Center Education Holdings, LLC., across the country.
In July 2018, a spokesperson told our sister station, WXYZ-TV in Detroit, the closure of the Art Institute of Michigan was the result of an evaluation aimed at the viability of programs and student preferences.
Some students said there have been slow changes at the Las Vegas campus for months which include classroom closures, staff and program reductions.
"Up until now they said everything was fine, we are working things out," said Ricky Gonzalez who is set to graduate in March.
"Any little signs are saying otherwise, and I go and ask them 'hey what's up with this,' and they just say, 'it's fine, we worked it out,'" added Gonzalez.
13 Action News contacted the Las Vegas Campus Director, Roger Hosn, who referred comment to a spokesperson at Dream Center Education Holdings, LLC., who did not immediately respond.
In the past, the Art Institute system has offered transfers for students to other locations in the event of a closure.
Bottom line, education advocates recommend asking questions up front including whether the institution is accredited, if earned credits will transfer to other schools, and if there is any form of student loan forgiveness in the event of a permanent closure.
As for students and parents at the Art Institute of Las Vegas are waiting word about the fate of their school.
