By NICK OLINGER

Students at APSU are dealing with the spur of the 2010 census. According to 2010.census.gov, the National Census Bureau will be distributing forms to universities for students who live on campus to fill out.

This Web site also said anyone not in the country during the month of April will not be counted. This includes people that are currently participating in study abroad programs.

The Web site illustrates how the Census Bureau has devised a way to ensure as many people are counted as possible, to inform, motivate and activate.

The Web site explains the Census Bureau encourages all universities to inform its students about the census. APSU has informed its students by sending out information in “The Gov Says.”

Included in this e-mail is information such as how students who live on campus will fill out the census form. It says students who live on campus will receive forms to be filled out between Tuesday, April 6, and Friday, 9.

Many students at APSU are slightly confused about how the census is operating. Robert LaBean, a sophomore at APSU living on campus, said that it is a problem because he, as well as many others, are misguided when it comes to making sure they are counted.

“It’s not an easy process but I think we need it,” LaBean said. He also added he does not see how the university can be sure all those living on campus will fill out the form in truth if not at all.

APSU reached out to its students during National Census Day, on Thursday, April 1. According to an e-mail sent out to all students from Sherryl Byrd, vice president of Student Affairs, there was a table in the UC on that day to give students a chance to receive information about how the census will be administered at APSU.

According to Lynn Yarbrough, administrative assistant of Student Affairs, at the table in the UC were items such as water bottles, ink pens and lip balm. She added the items not given away on National Census Day will be distributed to those living in the residence halls. Byrd said that she was asked by APSU President Timothy Hall to coordinate an awareness campaign for students to help them understand how important the census is for Clarksville-Montgomery County.

She also stated that census representatives contacted Joe Mills, director of Housing/Residence Life and Dining Services several weeks ago and that students living on campus are to be counted in Clarksville rather than at their permanent home address.

This is because they are in the residence halls the majority of the year. Byrd said “having housing staff coordinating the process will prevent census staff from having to be in any of the residence halls. It should also mean that more students are counted since staff can follow-up with students from their halls that do not return the form.”

She also added that National Census Day was the date that individuals were asked to return their forms. Students residing in the community as well as those who are living with parents, spouses and/or children should have received a form at their residence.

She said if they have the form but have not returned it, they should do so immediately.

Shortly, census workers will be attempting to visit the residences of those who have not mailed back their form.

For more information about the Census visit www.census.gov.

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