COLUMBUS__On January 13, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that 28 colleges and universities in Ohio will receive a total of $7.5 million in funding for security projects that enhance the safety of students and staff.

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. 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.

It is being recommended that Rhodes State College in Allen County receive $145,000.

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.

To be eligible for grant funding, colleges and universities conducted a security and vulnerability assessment to identify areas in need of safety enhancements.