The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that 44 colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania received more than $1.6 million in “It’s On Us PA” grants to help combat sexual assault on campus.

“PDE is committed to supporting efforts that keep college students and their campuses safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all students,” said Interim Acting Secretary Angela Fitterer. “All Pennsylvanians deserve a safe learning environment, and the It’s On Us PA grant program cultivates change and provides colleges, universities, and postsecondary institutions with the support and resources necessary to protect learning environments and ensure they are free from sexual assault, harassment, and violence.”

It’s On Us PA is a statewide campaign that invites education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to be part of the solution to protect students from sexual violence.

Eligible institutions with 10,000 or fewer students were able to request up to $40,000; those with more than 10,000 students were able to apply for up to $60,000. Private career schools that do not offer specialized associate degrees could request up to $10,000.

Area institutions who received grants:

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, $40,000

Lackawanna College, $40,000

University of Scranton, $30,000

Cedar Crest College, $40,000

Lehigh Carbon Community College, $40,000

Muhlenberg College, $37,868

Lafayette College, $40,000

Moravian University, $40,000