Murfreesboro, TN - Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has received a $1.8 million grant from the Higher Education Safety Grant, managed by MTSU’s Police Department Chief Ed Kaup. This grant will fund safety projects not covered by the university's current budget, focusing on building security, campus control, security monitoring, emergency notification, threat assessments, training, and security-related construction or renovation.

 

Funded by the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Criminal Justice Programs, this $30 million grant was approved last fall. MTSU has 18 months to utilize the funds, and a committee comprising campus police department, Facilities Services, and Information Technology members will develop a strategic plan for the funds, subject to approval by University President Sidney A. McPhee.

 

According to Alan Thomas, vice president for business and finance, this grant will enhance campus safety for students, employees, and visitors. While safety measures are included in the university's annual budget, this grant will support additional measures. Kaup emphasized the department's ongoing commitment to campus safety and stated their intention to apply for other grants in the future to further support the university's public safety objectives.