Higgins: Nearly $800,000 investment in campus safety efforts at NU, D'Youville

Congressman Brian Higgins announced two grants totaling nearly $800,000 toward programs promoting campus safety at Niagara University and D’Youville University.

“The campus environment is a unique setting and population where proactive engagement and awareness is especially critical to building a safer community,” Higgins said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe at school. I applaud the work of Niagara and D’Youville to advance these efforts.”

The awards are provided through the U.S. Department of Justice Campus Program, which supports the work colleges and universities do to recognize and address the unique issues and challenges that colleges and universities face in creating a safe campus environment. The program encourages comprehensive measures to address the challenges and collaboration among community partners.

Niagara University will receive $400,000 under the program, which it will use in collaboration with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, Pinnacle Community Services, and the Seven Dancers Coalition. The funding will advance awareness, prevention and bystander programming for all students, strengthen new-hire and existing staff development, and provide resources for the creation of print and electronic informational material.

“Niagara University remains dedicated to providing a safe environment, through prevention and education programs, for every member of our campus community,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president. “I want to thank the Department of Justice Campus Program and Congressman Brian Higgins for their support, as we create a culture of awareness and advocacy around these issues on our campus and in the broader community.”

D'Youville University was granted $399,728, which it will use in collaboration with the New York State Police and Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services Inc. The university will use the resources to provide prevention programming, including bystander intervention to students; support 24-hour confidential victim services; and conduct training for all campus public safety staff and personnel. 

President Dr. Lorrie Clemo said, “Given the stressors students face today, this will help provide early intervention for those in need, and promote overall health and wellness. We are extremely grateful for the support Congressman Higgins has given to these issues and to D’Youville University.”