I know you all have heard so much about how important it is to fill out the 2010 Census, but this is the final stretch.
Participation in the census is crucial for college and university students around the state who have been traditionally underrepresented in the past. Standing up for the count is our best way to impact the amount of funding our school and community receives. We must ensure students here are counted in Gainesville in order to obtain the federal funds our college community is eligible to receive. Although you may still receive support from your parents or consider their house your permanent address, this is the community where you live and sleep most of the year, and where you should be counted.
With this data collected only every 10 years, it is important a complete count of the student population is obtained in order to properly plan for future growth, including college tuition and grant and loan programs. In addition, the census can help our school receive funding for important research done by faculty, students, librarians and community leaders. Census data also determine funding for critical community resources such as transportation, public safety, medical care and road repairs.
Students who live off campus received their forms last semester while those living in group quarters on campus were counted through May. Soon you may receive a knock on your door from an enumerator if you did not return your form. If so, please take 10 minutes to fill out the form with the official census taker. These professionals will not ask to enter your home and will only ask you the 10 short questions.
Fellow Gators, if you filled out and returned your census form, thank you. If you didn’t, don’t worry. Helpful census takers will visit throughout the summer to ensure that you are counted.
Just a few minutes of your time will help strengthen our generation’s voice. It’s up to all of us to stand up and be counted.
Marcus L. Dixon is the UF Student Body Vice President.
