The Champaign County Regional Commission is working to get 100 percent participation for the 2010 census.
According to its press release, the Commission urged residents to participate in the census because a complete count is important for decision-making. This includes how tax dollars are distributed back to communities based on population and grants that fund programs for social services to the C-U Mass Transit District, or MTD.
“We’re working with local government agencies to promote the census, making sure the information is out there,” said Andrew Levy, planner for the Champaign County Regional Commission.
He added that the Commission is working closely with the University and media to get press releases to the public.
“Right now we’re targeting the campus area,” Levy said. “We’ll focus on other areas of the county when students leave.”
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The 2000 census yielded less than 50 percent student response, said Lacey Rains, Champaign city planner.
As of Wednesday, Champaign County’s response rate was 69 percent, which encompasses all Champaign County residents, including students.
According to Levy, students who live in Champaign County should be filling out taheir census forms here, not in their hometowns.
“Students that attend school here are supposed to be counted here,” Levy said. “If they don’t fill it out here, they essentially won’t be counted.”
Rains said it is important to be counted in the census because of major benefits, such as increased tax dollars allotted to Champaign.
For each person counted, an extra $100 comes in from the state, she said, which is why they lobby for all students to complete their paperwork.
Students’ opinions concerning filling out their census forms vary.
“I sure have filled out my form,” said Amanda Manning, senior in LAS and resident advisor at Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall. “Because number one: I should lead by example. If I fill it out and talk to other people, they will too. Also, I think it’s important for funding and things. It’s really easy — two minutes tops.”
However, Anne Gilot, sophomore in ACES, doesn’t share Manning’s enthusiasm.
“No, I haven’t filled out the form yet,” she said. “The real reason is it’s not on my priority list. I have school-related tasks to be done. I haven’t even looked at it yet.”
Students like Gilot should be contacted soon, said Levy, as they attempt to notify all students to return their paperwork.
