All university residents with an active housing assignment as of April 1 are eligible to be counted in the United States Census 2010.

Every 10 years the Constitution requires a census to determine how many seats in the U.S. House of Representatives each state will have.

The 2010 Census data will also be used to make decisions about what community services are needed.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Census paints a picture of the nation, which helps define the United States.  

The type of census that will be taken in all housing at Western is the Group Quarters Enumeration. It includes all people in the 2010 Census who live in group quarters, which are places run by an organization that provides housing and services. The residence halls are included in this type of census.

On April 19, each resident will receive an official Census form in their residence hall mailbox. The form is simple, with seven questions that are neither invasive nor personal.

All residence halls have hung posters, provided by the Census Bureau, which give information about the Census form.

Forms should be completed and returned by 10 p.m. on April 20 to the residence hall front desks.

Kim Cunningham, assignments coordinator at Western, said students will not be contacted personally.

“We don’t want students to feel like any personnel [from Census] will enter their buildings,” Cunningham said. “We can not make students fill them out, but we want them to be counted properly where they spend their academic school year.”

The information collected in the forms is confidential and protected by law. It will be used for statistical purposes.

Cunningham said for students who choose not to respond, University Residences will provide the U.S. Census Bureau with basic information about the student such as name, age and gender.

“We can’t provide the student’s race or ethnicity,” Cunningham said. “It is a more accurate count if the student fills it out themselves.”

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