Four years after Pennsylvania officials signed on to a national initiative designed to prevent sexual violence on college campuses, three dozen colleges and universities across the state are getting a boost to help them implement programs to assist in the effort.

Gov. Tom Wolf said the state will provide about $1 million in grants to 36 colleges and universities as part of the ongoing “It’s On Us PA” program. The grants that average about $27,000 per institution are part of a continuing statewide initiative the administration launched four years ago.

Pennsylvania colleges have been at the forefront of embracing “It’s On Us.” The state was the first in the nation to adopt a statewide program in support of the initiative launched in the latter years of the Obama administration.

Local colleges and universities in line for assistance this year include: Butler County Community College, Clarion University, the Community College of Allegheny County, Indiana University of Pa., Chatham University, Penn State University, Point Park University, South Hills School of Business & Technology and Saint Vincent College.

Schools are planning a variety of programs. Some are looking to implement anonymous online options schools must have in place by June 30 under the provisions of a new state law that looks to document sexual violence on campus.

A number of local universities including Pitt, Penn State, IUP and Robert Morris already have such online programs in place.

Officials at IUP, which is in line for a $30,000 state grant this year, said they will use it to promote education about sexual violence and assault. Saint Vincent College will use a $15,000 research grant to assess the statewide impact of “It’s On Us PA.”

“Every student, teacher, administrator and visitor to our campuses deserves a safe environment free from harassment. This is the fourth year that my administration will be working with students, schools and communities to build programs to raise awareness about and stop sexual assaults. We must never tolerate this behavior on our campuses or a culture that allows it,” Wolf said.

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