33 colleges and universities in Ohio will receive a total of $5 million in funding for security projects that enhance the safety of students and staff.

Funds will be used to cover expenses associated with physical security enhancements such as security cameras, door locks, alarms, public address systems and metal detectors.

The grant awards are part of the 2022 Campus Safety Grant Program, which was funded with support from the Ohio legislature in Senate Bill 310 of the 133rd General Assembly. The Ohio School Safety Center, which is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, reviewed the campus safety grant applications in consultation with the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

"These funds will go directly toward helping our institutions of higher education become more secure," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "The importance of campus safety cannot be overstated, and Ohio is committed to supporting efforts that keep our colleges and universities safe."

Ohio universities awarded safety grants

To be eligible for grant funding, colleges and universities conducted a security and vulnerability assessment to identify areas in need of safety enhancements. A list of the universities receiving funds is below:

1. Rhodes State College: $87,500
2. Hocking College: $100,750
3. Ohio University: $124,175
4. Belmont College: $142,077.65
5. Miami University: $163,414.23
6. Clark State College: $93,372
7. Cleveland State University: $174,350.20
8. Columbus State Community College: $124,393.43
9. Ohio State University: $174,257.25
10. Northwest State Community College: $149,700
11. Central State University: $150,000
12. Wright State University: $147,930
13. Cincinnati State Technical & Community College: $148,335
14. University of Cincinnati: $197,649.40
15. Southern State Community College: $191,539.94
16. Lakeland Community College: $79,300
17. Central Ohio Technical College: $50,000
18. Lorain County Community College: $145,200
19. Owens Community College: $177,583.25
20. University of Toledo: $114,240
21. Youngstown State University: $62,968
22. Marion Technical College: $97,550
23. Edison State Community College: $61,460
24. Sinclair College: $118,350
25. Zane State College: $50,000
26. Kent State University: $387,567
27. North Central State College: $50,000
28. Terra State Community College: $338,598
29. Shawnee State University: $76,013.12
30. Stark State College: $94,675
31. University of Akron: $422,630
32. Washington State Community College: $226,345.90
33. Bowling Green State University: $278,075.63

Since its creation in 2021, a total of approximately $10 million in funding has been awarded through the Ohio School Safety Center's Campus Safety Grant Program.