Forms for the 2010 census were due April 1. While Champaign County has a 67 percent participation rate, putting it three percent above the current national average of 64 percent, 33 percent of the county is unaccounted for.

The unresponsiveness of a portion of the county may be due to the fact it is difficult to mobilize the student population. There are several possible reasons why this is, said Champaign City Planner Lacey Rains, including unfamiliarity with the form, students’ hectic schedules or that campus went on spring break days before the due date.

Even if students have neglected to fill out the form, the federal government is still going to take measures to ensure they are accounted for. From April to July 2010, census takers will be going door-to-door to collect the necessary information.

“A census taker will come to your house if you don’t fill it out, but wouldn’t you rather just do it on your own?” Rains said. “I would encourage students to definitely get counted.”

Ashley Russ, freshman in Engineering, said she was not motivated to fill out the form.

“I just haven’t had the time,” Russ said. “It’s not at the top of my priorities.”

Students also may not consider themselves permanent residents of Champaign-Urbana.

“I guess I just felt like I was a college student,” said Timothy Umunna, senior in Business. “I actually live in Chicago so why fill out a census in Champaign?”

Rains said students are supposed to get counted at the campus where they go to school.

There are also uncertainties involving international students. Even if students are not citizens, they should get counted, she said.

“I think maybe the importance of filling it out may not have trickled down,” she added.

Madeline Tsui, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship employee, said she was motivated to fill out her information.

“It just helps the city and state know where to allocate funds and spend resources,” Tsui said. “I work in town and with college students, so funding is important,” she said.

Each person accounted for brings in approximately $100 per year, which is $1000 over the course of 10 years, Rains said. Grants and political representation are based on population rates.

Government funding packages can help build up transportation, public education, mental health and other social services, Rains said. Additionally, the state is redistricted after the census.

“We definitely want to have the amount of political representation we deserve,” she added.

The census is strictly a mailed-in form, but online forms may lead to greater student participation.

“It (an online form) would be more convenient,” Russ said.