YSU Awarded $118,000 for Security Upgrades

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — As part of a statewide initiative, Youngstown State University will receive a $118,528 grant to finance security enhancements through the 2021 Campus Safety Grant Program.

The initiative is part of a $5 million initiative through Senate Bill 310. The Ohio School Safety Center reviewed the campus safety grant applications with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Controlling Board. In total, there were 27 grants approved for higher education institutions in the state.

“The commitment to school safety is one that I take seriously,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “By awarding these grants, campuses can go beyond identifying areas that need to be improved by developing and executing plans that promote the wellbeing of staff and students.”

To be eligible for grant funding, schools conducted a security and vulnerability assessment to identify potential areas for improvement. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to improved lighting in parking lots, security cameras at building entrances and secure doors.

“I want to thank the Governor and the General Assembly for their leadership and for making campus safety a priority,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. “It is important as we begin a new school year to provide this opportunity to enhance security and make our campuses even safer for students, staff, and families.”

Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 K-12 School Safety Grant Program, administered in partnership with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. The program will award another $5 million to qualifying public K-12 schools for similar safety expenses.

Eligible school districted will be contacted by the OFCC by email. Grant applications are being accepted until Nov. 1 with awardees announced in early 2022. Visit OFCC.ohio.gov for more information.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.