Regency Beauty Institute students discovered that their school was closed permanently on September 28th. They began calling other beauty schools in an effort to find a solution.
Students claim they didn’t receive notices and found out about it through Facebook.
According to the school’s website Regency Beauty Institute El Paso is one 79-campus that have closed unexpectedly.
Students were allowed to retrieve personal belongings from the school locker for two hours on Thursday between 3 and 5 p.m.
Four students were allowed to enter the school at once and were given a question-and-answer sheet that included information about student loans and credits. Students expressed concern about the transition.
NewsChannel9 attempted to speak with school administrators but was given a corporate number and told to leave.
Although local beauty schools offered assistance, they said that they were waiting for the State Board’s approval to make an agreement. This would allow students to transfer their hours to a teaching-out school.
The following statement was released by Tri-State Cosmetology Institute:
“We were shocked to hear about the closure of Regency Beauty Institute’s 79 branches last night. We are currently working with Regency, the state licensing board, and our accrediting body to ensure a smooth transition for students who have been displaced in El Paso. Students can transfer their hours from Regency to another college or university to be eligible to enrol. This option is limited in that it only allows for a specific number of hours to be transferred, depending on the institution’s transfer policy. Tri-State Cosmetology Institute will be completing a Teach-Out Agreement (with Regency) that would allow their displaced students to transfer all their hours to our institution. This will ensure that their education can continue as smoothly as possible. Students are encouraged to contact us for any information or questions during this transition. “
Hector Barragan is the founder of Pipo Academy of Hair Design and says that he is open to opening his school to Regency students. This will be at the discretion of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Barragan says, “I have lots of space here, but what I don’t have are enough instructors, but i’ll do my best to do as much for those students,”
Below are details about other local beauty schools:
Pipo Academy of Hair Design 3000 Pershing (915) 565-765-3491
Milan Institute – 1580 George Dieter (915) 857-4444
Western Technical College – 945 Diana Dr. (915) 566-96221
