Students urged to participate in Census 2010

Census 2010 is officially under way.

The Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Results will be used to help Madison and Dane County receive a fair share of $400 billion in federal funds. Funding can be used for schools, health facilities, transportation and local programs.

All students are to be counted in Madison, as the Census is designed to be a “snapshot of America” as it exists this April. Although Census Day, April 1, technically falls during Spring Break, the Census Bureau advises that students are to be counted in Madison, unless living year-round with their parents or guardians.

“UW-Madison believes that participating in the Census — and supporting Madison and Dane County — is very important,” says University of Wisconsin–Madison Dean of Students Lori Berquam, noting that an all-campus e-mail has already gone out to students, faculty and staff with Census information.

“We’re asking all of the members of our community to take just a few moments out of our busy lives to fill out the form,” she adds.

To do your part and be counted:

• Students, faculty and staff living in local houses or apartments have probably already received their Census form in the mail. Please fill it out and mail back in promptly. If you do not do so by mid-April, you will begin receiving phone calls or visits from Census staff.

If you’re a student who lives with roommates, all students living at the address are considered one household, so only one form should be completed, including information about all the people living at that address.

• Students living in University Housing will receive forms in hall mailboxes on or around April 12. Please return the form to the Census table in your hall lobby. More details will be provided directly to you after spring break.

The 2010 Census form will be one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. For Housing residents, the form will be even shorter. Strict confidentiality laws protect respondents and the information that is provided.

A Census Questionnaire Assistance Center will soon be opening at the Memorial Union to provide additional assistance.

For more information, visit http://2010census.gov or http://www.cityofmadison.com/census2010.

For questions specific to UW–Madison, e-mail chancellor@news.wisc.edu.