Pavliga Announces Campus Safety Grant for KSU

State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) announces that funding for campus safety grants was recently approved for several colleges throughout the state, including for Kent State University (KSU). The program funding was approved through legislation during the previous General Assembly.

“I’m very pleased to announce significant funding for campus safety purposes coming to KSU,” said Pavliga. “Throughout my time as a representative this past year, I have supported these kinds of initiatives and I will continue to support measures focused on improving security for our students, staff and faculty.”

Last year during the 133rd General Assembly Senate Bill 310 was approved, which included funding for the Campus Safety Grant Program. The release of this funding was recently approved for 27 higher education institutions by the Ohio State Controlling Board. For Portage County, KSU received a total of $210,400 under the grant program.

Earlier this year, Pavliga also supported several other safety initiatives through the state’s two-year budget bill that was signed into law. Some of those security measures included the following:

• Security Grants – $8.5 million for grants to non-profit groups, churches, chartered non-public schools and licensed preschools to improve security.
• School Safety Grants – $24 million for safety grants for schools, educational service centers, local law enforcement agencies, and schools operated by county boards of developmental disabilities.
• Crime Reduction Grants – Provides $4 million for grants to local law enforcement agencies for crime reduction initiatives.

For the Campus Safety Grant Program, schools had to conduct a security and vulnerability assessment to identify potential areas for improvement in order to be eligible. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to improved lighting in parking lots, security cameras at building entrances, and secure doors.