Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Safety And Oversight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission conditions BlueJay Education license on name change after trafficking-related concerns
Summary
The Commission approved a 12-month provisional license for BlueJay Education, LLC, but required the school to change its name and meet surety and documentation conditions after an expert testified that 'BlueJay' can be slang tied to prostitution and human trafficking.
The Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education voted Feb. 4 to grant BlueJay Education, LLC a 12-month provisional license on the condition the school change its name and satisfy surety and documentation requirements following an extended debate.
Sandy Anderson, introduced to the Commission as a former executive director of the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy and a member of human-trafficking task forces, testified she found the proposed curriculum acceptable but raised alarm about the school's name. Anderson said the word "bluejay" is used as slang for a prostitute and that, combined with unclear funding and the owner’s lack of massage experience, the name raised potential human-trafficking risks in Nevada.
Applicant Qi “Lilly” Fang and consultant Tina Mark said they were unaware of the slang meaning and that the school's name derives from a street name where Fang lives. "I did not know of the slang meaning prior to the meeting," Mark said; Fang produced her driver’s license to show residency on BlueJay Street in Irvine, California.
An initial motion to grant a conditional provisional license failed. After further discussion the Commission returned with a second motion requiring the school to change its name, post a $342,000 surety bond, and provide facility, curriculum, and personnel documentation. That second motion carried; Commissioner Todtman voted no and Commissioner Kenny abstained.
Why it matters Regulators said the name raised reputational and trafficking-related concerns in a state that ranks high on human-trafficking metrics, and the Commission used a name-change condition to mitigate reputational risk while allowing the school to proceed through the licensure process if it meets other regulatory requirements.
What happens next BlueJay Education must submit proof of a legal name change, the required surety bond, and the requested documentation before the provisional license can be finalized. CPE staff will verify compliance and return to the Commission if issues remain.
