As part of a statewide $5 million initiative in Ohio, Governor DeWine announced that Belmont College will receive a grant to improve campus security. College administrators say the grant will fund a photo ID access system for buildings on campus along with other upgrades.
Ohio's Higher Education Campus Security Upgrades program selected Belmont College to receive a $50,000 grant to improve security measures on campus. A news release from the college explains that Belmont will use the funds to install a photo ID access badge system for entry into campus buildings. It will also purchase barriers to provide protection to pedestrians at the Main Campus Academic Technical Center.
Dr. Paul Gasparro, President of Belmont College, expressed gratitude for the grant in the news release. "We are appreciative of the support from Governor DeWine and the General Assembly for the campus security upgrades funding. 2020 and COVID-19 have brought unique challenges for all of us, and I am grateful for this funding, which will enable us to make critical changes to our campus to help keep our College Community safe."
Belmont views the upgrade to the building security as something that will not only improve safety for the college, but for the community at large. President Gasparro explained, "The COVID-19 pandemic has proven the need to provide public health officials with accurate records of who is in our campus buildings and when they are there, to assist with contact tracing. By using photo ID badges, we will be more equipped to track this information. It will also provide us with the opportunity to share relevant information with first responders in the event of an incident, such as a fire or active shooter situation."
In addition to the photo ID badges and card access system, Belmont will install removable bollards around the courtyard outside of the Main Campus Academic Technical Center. This will reduce the risk of pedestrian injuries and vehicle intrusion.
In a news release from the governor's office, Governor DeWine said, "The commitment to school safety is one that I take seriously. 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."