UK Students to be Counted in 2010 Census

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 1, 2010) -- The University of Kentucky today announced its partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to achieve a complete and accurate count of the U.S. population in 2010. The partnership, part of a larger effort to increase participation in the 2010 Census, involves sharing information about the Census at UK and encouraging students to complete and return their 2010 Census forms.

During April, students living in on-campus housing will receive their forms and are asked to fill those out and return them. Census forms were delivered or mailed to students living off campus in March 2010. For off-campus students who do not return their forms, Census workers will visit their households.

Census Coordinator Katie Whitaker will be available on campus through April 19 to answer questions that UK students, faculty and staff may have about the 2010 Census and the Census forms. Whitaker will staff the Questionnaire Assistance Center located in Room 203 of the UK Student Center. Visit www.uky.edu/Census201 for the times the center is open and for more Census information pertinent to UK.

Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments based on census data. Leaders use these data to guide planning decisions on where to build new schools, roads, hospitals, child-care and senior centers and more. Data also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and affect college and university grant and loan programs.

“With the help of our 2010 Census partners, the Census Bureau has a far greater chance of reaching every person in the United States than if we were to attempt this monumental task alone,” said Robert Groves, director of the U.S. Census Bureau. “Through their unique roles as educators, colleges and universities can help deliver the 2010 Census message to students in every corner of the nation.”

Information shared with the Census Bureau is completely confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

To find out more about the importance of filling out a Census form, watch the video below, or visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFkJmJSNRuQ. For more general information about the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov.