Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced 28 colleges and universities in Ohio will receive $7.5 million in funding for security projects.
The grant awards are part of the FY2025-26 Campus Safety Grant Program, which was funded with support from the Ohio legislature in House Bill 2 of the 135th General Assembly, according to a Jan. 13 press release. To be eligible for the funding, campuses conducted security and vulnerability assessments to identify areas in need of safety enhancements.
RELATED ARTICLE: West Virginia Public Schools Needs $258 Million for Safety Upgrades, Officials Say
“It is important to create an environment on our campuses where students feel secure and can focus on learning,” said Andy Wilson, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “Without question, these grants will improve safety and security across the state.”
Funds will be used to cover expenses associated with physical security enhancements such as security cameras, fencing, lighting, door locks, portable surveillance trailers, radios, drones, and more.
Ohio Colleges Have Received $17.5 Million in Funding Since 2021
Approximately $17.5 million in funding has been awarded to Ohio colleges and universities since the School Safety Center’s Campus Safety Grant Program was established in 2021. Previous rounds of grant awards were announced in Aug. 2021 and Nov. 2022.
RELATED ARTICLE: Pennsylvania, Virginia Awards Millions in School Safety Funding
DeWine created the Ohio School Safety Center in 2019 to assist local schools, colleges and universities, and law enforcement agencies to prevent, prepare for, and response to threats and acts o violence through a solutions-based approach to improving campus safety.
“I commend Governor DeWine and the General Assembly for continuing to prioritize campus safety, which is a critical part of a successful college experience for all students,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey. “These grants provide continued support to our campuses in their efforts to provide a safe learning environment.”