News

Lakeland lands $400,000 Department of Justice grant

Nov. 4, 2026

Lakeland University has received a three-year grant totaling $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice as part of its Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program.

Lakeland will use the grant dollars to expand and strengthen its education of and response to any sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking (SADVST) incidents.

“At its core, this grant is about people,” said Lakeland President Beth Borgen. “It provides Lakeland with the resources to strengthen relationships, expand support systems and continue to offer a campus culture where students know they are valued, cared for and never alone when facing difficult situations.

“Through education, prevention and compassionate response, Lakeland continues to invest in and build a campus community where respect, healthy relationships, personal responsibility and care for one another are woven into the student experience every day.”

Grant funds will be used for numerous activities, including:

• Expanding security camera coverage to enhance monitoring and increase safety for students.

• Developing a Community Coordinated Response Team (CCRT) which will include key Lakeland staff as well as representatives from local domestic and sexual violence support agencies. The team will develop a strategic plan and create prevention programming, training curricula and protocols.

• Developing an internal messaging campaign that there is zero tolerance for SADVST, highlighting the breadth of available resources for victims and how to contact appropriate resources to discuss options for reporting these crimes.

• Bringing support agencies to campus as expert trainers on SADVST topics and making them more visible resources to students, faculty and staff.

• Conducting a campus climate survey that addresses student, faculty and staff knowledge of the dynamics and definitions of SADVST, victim services options and how to access them, and reporting mechanisms.

• Expanding the number of employees that can be safe responders by providing ongoing training on topics related to SADVST.

• Beginning with new student orientation, offering regular student programming on awareness of, prevention of and support for sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking, trauma-informed responses, safety planning, reporting options and available victim services resources.

• Regularly reviewing campus disciplinary structure and ensuring protocols reflect any updated best practices in responding to SADVST.