LAFAYETTE, IN -- Students at Ivy Tech Community College-Lafayette will be able to work out at the Lafayette Family YMCA at a reduced rate as a result of a partnership between the two entities.

Ivy Tech officials say they hope the Y access will help the school reduce its dropout rate and enhance student life. The agreement allows students to pay a $102.40 recreation fee for a four-month semester, a 25 percent savings over the Y’s normal single adult membership rate. The Y’s $50 joining fee also will be waived for students.

Ivy Tech and the Y will share the cost of hiring an employee to oversee intramural programs both on campus and at the Y.

“Combining the strengths and needs of the YMCA with our campus has made it possible to provide benefits to both organizations that otherwise would not be possible,” Andrew Antonio, executive director of diversity and engagement at Ivy Tech Community College, said in a statement.

Officials say the partnership is a first step toward relocating the Y to a new location near Ivy Tech’s campus.

Students will have access to the Y’s weight room, cardio center, adult aerobics classes, indoor pool, open gym, pickup basketball, game room and more. Students also will be able to use the Y’s drop-off child care center.

Ivy Tech officials say they hope the child care option will reduce the school’s dropout rate, which averages 800 students per semester.

“Not having child care is a major reason we see students completely withdraw from classes,” David Bathe, Ivy Tech chancellor, said at a press conference.

The Y offers a drop-off child care service program called the Toyroom that is available only to members.

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