YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown State University is among 27 institutions awarded a total of $5 million in grants by Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine.

YSU received $118,528 in grants for enhanced campus security.

These awarded funds are part of the 2021 Campus Safety Grant Program funded as part of Senate Bill 310 of the 133rd General Assembly. The Ohio School Safety Center received the campus security grant applications in consultation with the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Controlling Board approved the release of the funds on Monday.

The program is one of two new school safety programs launched by the Ohio School Safety Center in 2021. The K-12 School Safety Grant Program will award an additional $5 million to K-12 schools for similar safety expenses. Eligible school districts are being contacted Monday via email by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). Applications will be accepted Monday, Nov. 1 with the awardees being announced in early 2022.

In order 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.