How a YMCA could help Columbus State's student parents
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A concept for a proposed Columbus State Community College campus YMCA. Rendering: Courtesy of Moody Nolan
Columbus State Community College students are in the midst of a historic vote that could raise their fees to bring a YMCA to campus.
Why it matters: The center would provide free drop-in child care services to all students, breaking down a big barrier to a college degree.
- It's estimated that 1 in 4 Columbus State students are parents who also work part-time, per campus surveys.
Zoom in: The drop-in child care would be a first-of-its-kind partnership, college executive vice president Rebecca Butler tells Axios.
- It would also house intramural sports and other wellness programming for the downtown community.
- The $38 million, approximately 50,000-square foot facility would replace a current parking lot at Cleveland Avenue and Long Street.
- The new fee would be $65 per semester.
The big picture: College enrollment is shifting nationwide, with more nontraditional students and more challenges like housing and food insecurity.
- The proposed YMCA of Central Ohio partnership is part of an effort to funnel more support toward those non-academic needs, Butler says.
Between the lines: Community colleges typically have a larger share of nontraditional students than four-year universities, and these students often face more barriers.
- Also, community college enrollment is historically countercyclical to the economy — meaning it's up when the economy is down.
What they're saying: "We want to make help unavoidable," Butler says. "Our students shouldn't have to stop-out of their dream, stop-out of this economy, because they can't quite navigate some complex systems like child care and food and housing security."
What's next: The YMCA vote via email ends Tuesday. If a majority of student voters approve, the plan would then need approval from the college's Board of Trustees and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
- If successful, the facility would open in 2028, when fee collection would begin.
- Students would receive access to all regional and most national YMCA locations starting next summer.
Other supports on campus
Columbus State's proposed YMCA project would continue a trend of innovative partnerships benefiting students in recent years.
They include:
🎓 The Columbus Promise, a free degree program for Columbus City Schools graduates also funded by the city and donors.
🍎 The Mid-Ohio Market, a full-service grocery store operated in partnership with Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
🚌 Free bus passes from COTA.
🏠 Housing stability supports with various partners.
💻 Digital Skills Bootcamp with Smart Columbus.
👶 The Center for Early Learning, a full-time child care center and training opportunity for students, through the Childhood Development Council of Franklin County.