North Columbus News

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that 28 colleges and universities across Ohio will receive a total of $7.5 million in funding aimed at improving campus security. Among the recipients, The Ohio State University is set to receive $257,000.

Monica Moll, Ohio State’s associate vice president of the Department of Public Safety, expressed appreciation for the grant. “Ohio State is pleased to receive the campus safety grant funding announced by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine,” she stated. She emphasized that the funds would assist in enhancing safety and security at multiple campuses through collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies.

The university's initial plans for utilizing the grant include installing classroom locks at its Mansfield and Marion campuses, replacing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at Mansfield, and enhancing fire and security alarms at Lima and Marion. Additionally, more security cameras are planned for the CFAES Wooster campus, while drones and related equipment will be acquired for The Ohio State University Police Division to support the Columbus campus. Supplies for the Columbus campus 9-1-1 communications center are also on the list.

These plans are subject to change as budgeting progresses and safety solutions are implemented.

The grants come from the fiscal year 2025-26 Campus Safety Grant Program, supported by House Bill 2 of the 135th General Assembly. Governor DeWine reiterated his commitment to campus safety in a press release: “Ohio remains committed to ensuring our colleges and universities have the resources they need to make their campuses as safe as possible.”

The Ohio School Safety Center evaluated grant applications in partnership with the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Beyond these grants, Ohio State continues investing in both on-campus and off-campus safety measures in Columbus. This includes an increase in both fixed and mobile cameras within the University District area off-campus. The university has bolstered its police force to 75 officers and enhanced joint patrols with four OSUPD officers paired with Columbus Division of Police officers.

Additional initiatives include a crime interdiction program offering overtime for CPD officers' patrols during nights and weekends, supplemented by non-sworn Buckeye Block Watch personnel patrolling nightly off-campus areas.

Since 2021, technology improvements have been made with added lighting, permanent and mobile cameras, and over 60 license plate reader cameras installed on and off campus.